First Baptist of Jacksonville

The History of FBCJax :

First Baptist Church of Jacksonville celebrates a long history of Reaching the Lost and Discipling the Saved. Although the journey has not always been easy, the years of hard work and dedication from God's people have seen the building of an institution dedicated to ministering the Good News of Jesus Christ to a lost world.

First Baptist Church was established in July, 1838, as the third church in Jacksonville. In 1892, the church settled at its present location between Hogan and Church Streets in the heart of the downtown district. The Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901 totally destroyed the church building, but in February of 1903, the cornerstone was laid for a new building. Within one year, the new Hobson Auditorium was completed. The building served as the church's primary worship center until 1976.

In 1940, Dr. Homer G. Lindsay, Sr. became the First Baptist's twentieth pastor. At that time, the church was in serious financial debt and morale was low. With contributions dwindling, the loss of a seven-story educational building, a debt of $125,000, and no facilities for growth, the situation looked bleak.

However, under the leadership of this young and dedicated minister of the Gospel, a new era began. Tremendous spiritual, physical and numerical growth was experienced. By 1943, the church was free from its financial bondage, and in 1948, the first new educational building was constructed, debt free.

Another major turning point for First Baptist came in 1969 when the Pastor's son, Dr. Homer G. Lindsay, Jr. was called to the church as Co-Pastor. He would serve alongside his father until Dr. Lindsay Sr.'s retirement in 1975. From 1969 to 1988, Sunday School enrollment skyrocketed from 2,385 to 14,172. During this time nine buildings were either purchased or constructed, including the 3,500-seat Ruth Lindsay Auditorium (1976) and the Preschool Building (1986).