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ABOUT US |
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Our Vision Florida Avenue Baptist Church is a vibrant, vital, joyful, and challenging congregation making a difference in the lives of people and the community and the world. Mission Statement As a mixed multitude of people called by God to become disciples of Jesus the Christ, Lord and Savior, it is the purpose of this church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to be a community growing in faith where the Word of God is lived everyday. Our Core Processes Reaching out, inviting and receiving people into the family of faith. |
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Our History
Florida Avenue Baptist Church, FABC, was established on July 12, 1912. Florida Avenue is the daughter church of Vermont Ave Baptist Church. A series of events from 1910 to 1911 at the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church resulted in the secession of 22 members who established a separate congregation known as the Excelsior Circle. The Excelsior Circle held its first formal services at Winslow Hall on 12th and R Streets, NW on July 12, 1912. A formal search for a permanent place of worship began shortly thereafter. In the fall of 1912, the Excelsior Circle purchased the Gurley Memorial Presbyterian Church for $25,000. The first service was held on the fourth Sunday in December 1912, under its new name, the Florida Avenue Baptist Church. The church was formally recognized as a regular and independent church in January 15, 1913 by the Ecclesiastical Council, a composition of local area churches. Reverend William A. Taylor, grandfather of famed jazz pianist Billy Taylor, was selected to become the first pastor and was installed on June 12, 1913. In April 1937, the Reverend William A. Taylor, was called to his reward, and a sorrowing congregation faced the task of selecting a new leader. Reverend Robert Lee Rollins, a son of the church pastoring in Arlington, Va was called to the church in November 1937. He delivered his first sermon as its minister on the first Sunday in January 1938. Under the leadership of Rev. Rollins, the church entered more into the life of the community. Under plans for a new building to house a growing congregation began. The old building was vacated in July 1962. Temporary meetings and services were held at the Cafeteria and Restaurant Workers' Union, Local 473, at 1438 U Street, NW. and the Community House of the Church, at 606 U Street, NW. The new building was dedicated on November 1964. In addition to a new edifice, a new educational building was also built. Reverend Rollins, having worked hard, and accomplished many goals, departed his life March 14, 1972. In July 1973, Rev. Everett Eugene Smith, Jr. was called as FABC’s third pastor. Under Rev. Smith’s leadership several new programs were initiated including: furthering missions outreach, the establishment of a clothes bank, a radio broadcast ministry, and the ordination of the church’s first women deacons. After twenty (20) years of service to the Florida Avenue Baptist Church, Pastor Smith retired on May 16, 1993, and passed away in 1994. Florida Ave’s fourth and current pastor came to the church in December 1994. Under Dr. Trent’s leadership, Florida Ave has transformed into a church meeting the needs of the community in the twenty-first century.
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