History of First Baptist Church of Detroit
In 1824 a group of determined Detroit Baptists set out to create a place of worship within the city. In 1826, Henry Davis was called to lead this group and with his guidance on August 19, 1826 the first candidate for baptism was immersed in the Detroit River.
On October 20, 1827 the hand of fellowship was extended and the First Baptist Church of Detroit was officially organized. Throughout the years the church inhabited many buildings, merged in 1912 with the North Baptist Church, and then in 1957 broke ground on the present day Fellowship Hall. On August 6, 1958 the first worship service at our current location was held, almost ten years later on May 23, 1965 the ground was broken on the present day Sanctuary.
The First Baptist Church has always been a diverse congregation and remains committed to its calling as a diverse community of faith; open and welcoming to all people.
The mission of the First Baptist church remains committed to vital worship, to loving God and neighbor, to missions in the community and to the world. We are a proud member of the American Baptist Churches USA, American Baptists Church Michigan, and the Metropolitan Detroit Association of American Baptist Churches and we support the principles of a historic Baptist faith seeking modern revelance.
We remain committed to a multi-racial, multi-cultural ministry and work with other non-Baptist faith groups in an ecumenical spirit of religious liberty. We ask for God's guidance and leadership for the church in this day as we live our calling as a people of God serving a risen Lord.
On October 20, 1827 the hand of fellowship was extended and the First Baptist Church of Detroit was officially organized. Throughout the years the church inhabited many buildings, merged in 1912 with the North Baptist Church, and then in 1957 broke ground on the present day Fellowship Hall. On August 6, 1958 the first worship service at our current location was held, almost ten years later on May 23, 1965 the ground was broken on the present day Sanctuary.
The First Baptist Church has always been a diverse congregation and remains committed to its calling as a diverse community of faith; open and welcoming to all people.
The mission of the First Baptist church remains committed to vital worship, to loving God and neighbor, to missions in the community and to the world. We are a proud member of the American Baptist Churches USA, American Baptists Church Michigan, and the Metropolitan Detroit Association of American Baptist Churches and we support the principles of a historic Baptist faith seeking modern revelance.
We remain committed to a multi-racial, multi-cultural ministry and work with other non-Baptist faith groups in an ecumenical spirit of religious liberty. We ask for God's guidance and leadership for the church in this day as we live our calling as a people of God serving a risen Lord.
Reverend William A. Walker
Graduated from Florida State university with a degree in History and a minor in Religion and Psychology, he also completed a year of graduate work in the area of religion and social studies. He then attended South Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Pastor Bill, has Ministered in Rochester, New York, where his wife Chris is a graduate of Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He then pastored in Evansville, Wisconsin; and Saginaw, Michigan before settling down with First Baptist Church of Detroit.
Pastor Walker and Chris have four delightful children. Pastor loves oatmeal cookies, and his wife's homemade chocolate sauce, Pastor gets his exercise running, one of his favorite TV shows is Law and Order and he likes watching sports.
Pastor Walker is devoted to his involvement in interfaith and Ecumenical work in the Community.