First Baptist Church celebrates 175 years of serving

In a powerful display of gratitude, faith, and reflection, First Baptist Church of Philadelphia celebrated its 175th anniversary on Sunday, May 4.

The commemorative event, themed “Faithful Through the Ages,” brought together generations of congregants, community members, and special guests to honor the legacy of one of Philadelphia’s most historic churches.

The morning worship service opened with a song by the children’s choir and was then led by former ministers of music Mickey Gentry and Mark Manning. Dr. Dan Howard, the church’s longest-tenured pastor, returned to offer remarks, reflecting on the decades of faithfulness that have shaped the church and challenged the members to look to the future.

Official recognitions were presented by Johanne Bryant of the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission and Rev. David Addy, Director of Missions at the Neshoba Baptist Center, who both commended the church for its longstanding service and unwavering commitment to the community and ministry.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Shawn Parker, Executive Director-Treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. Dr. Parker’s message challenged and encouraged the congregation to continue to be a church where grace is great, truth is treasured, and mission is maximized.

Reflecting on the milestone, current pastor Dr. Evan Humphries shared, “At First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, there’s a genuine love for one another and for the community. Sustained by the love of Christ, our church has been unified with the sole purpose of bringing glory and honor to God for the past 175 years and will continue to do so as we look to the future.”

First Baptist Church of Philadelphia traces its origins to 1850, when 10 members organized the town’s first Missionary Baptist Church near the courthouse on Beacon Street. Though the church disbanded during the Civil War, it was reorganized in 1875 under the name First Baptist Church.

From those early days, the church steadily grew in both membership and ministry. In 1906, the first board of deacons was elected, and under the leadership of various pastors, Sunday School, missions, and youth programs flourished. The church served as a hospital during the 1920s and as a school following a fire at Philadelphia High School in 1958.

By mid-century, First Baptist was a thriving congregation, instrumental in launching Beacon Street Baptist Church in 1947 and expanding educational and music ministries during the 1960s. A new sanctuary was built in 1965, and over the decades, the church added a Christian Life Center, new educational buildings, and a state-of-the-art Child Ministry Center dedicated in 2017.

After Dr. Dan Howard’s tenure ended in 2021, Dr. Evan Humphries began leading the church as Pastor. Despite a 2022 fire that damaged the Education Building and Christian Life Center, the church pressed forward with resilience and faith, completing renovations and expanding the ministry.

First Baptist Church of Philadelphia stands not only as a historical landmark but also as a living testimony of God’s faithfulness. As it celebrates 175 years of ministry, the congregation looks to the future with hope, commitment, and a continued desire to share the gospel with generations to come.