Chronology
1869 – Established at 321 North Eight Street
1888 – Reverend Perry Jackson elected as Pastor
1890 – Reverend Henry Florence and Flynn elected as Pastors
Church building burned
1910 – Reverend C. B. Collins was elected as Pastor
1920 – The church burned again
1922 – A brick building was built
Reverend E. L. Bronson was elected as Pastor
A two story brick building was completed
1932 – Reverend P. C. Keal was elected as Pastor
1940 – First Building Fund was organized
1960 – Due to Rev. Keal’s declining health, Reverend S. L. Pierce was appointed interim Pastor
1962 – A two-acre track of land was purchased at our present site
1970 – A ground-breaking ceremony for a new edifice was held
1971 – Reverend Andrew Julius Mansfield was elected as Pastor
May 9th – The First Missionary Baptist Church was dedicated
1975 – Total indebtedness paid in full
1976 – Note-burning Ceremony
Expanded educational facilities and fellowship hall
1977 – New Way Center, a drug prevention program was initiated – Ollie H. Burns, Director
1988 – Bus Ministry was added
1994 – Full time church services started
Student Referral Center
1996 – “Self Help” account opened, received loans from members/lenders
Ground-breaking Ceremony held for Multi-Purpose Complex
1997 – The New Vision Child Development Center was opened
1998 – The Multi-Purpose Complex was dedicated
Saturday Academy initiated
New Vision learning Academy, area’s first Charter School opened
1999 – Nellie McCoy Senior Center opened
” Self Help” refund account established to repay members/lenders
Original church site sold
2000 – Major interior/exterior facelift completed
2001 – Church hosted State Congress
2002 – First Missionary Baptist Church Scholarship Fund established
Secondary note on Multi-Purpose Building retired
2003 – Church repaid final “Self-Help” loan to members/lenders
2006 – Church “Marquee” donated in memory of Deacon Tommy Brown by Sister Izola Brown & Family
2007 – Reverend Otis Banks was called to the ministry under the leadership of Pastor A.J. Mansfield
2008 – 2011 Primary loan on Multi-Purpose Building retired
Construction of cafeteria for Multi-Purpose Building
Sound/video system added to sanctuary
Minister Jessie Smith was called to the ministry under the leadership of Pastor A.J. Mansfield
2013 – Reverend Tegitra K. Thomas elected as Pastor