First Missionary Baptist Church (Little Rock)
First Missionary Baptist Church was founded in 1845 by Reverend Wilson Brown, a self-taught enslaved minister. Brown had attended the predominantly white Missionary Baptist Church in Little Rock but wanted to establish a place of worship for enslaved and free Black people in the area.
In April 1845, Brown, together with slave owner Major Fields and an unidentified Baptist minister, established the First Negro Baptist Church. For years, there was no structure – just the members gathering at various locations. The first permanent building was completed in 1882. The church currently located at the corner of 7th and Gaines is the second physical location.
First Missionary Baptist Church has remained a cornerstone in the community for almost 200 years. It is one of the oldest Black congregations in Arkansas. Founded in Little Rock’s Black Business District, First Missionary Baptist Church was exactly where the community needed it to be. It was a place for hope and support during a time where Black people often were left out and looked over.
To reach back into the archives is to learn about the spirit of philanthropy that radiated throughout the church. Being in the center of Little Rock’s Black community, many leaders and activists of the day attended the church and partnered with First Missionary Baptist Church to support several community efforts.
Many people might remember the church for its efforts in the Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s. It was the spot where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke just months before his “I Have a Dream” speech. However, some 50 years prior, First Missionary Baptist Church led the way in being central to Juneteenth celebrations in the city. The membership donated what I like to call “The Big Three” to the events of the day: their time, talent, and treasures. Juneteenth activities often included speeches, services, and picnics.
For many African Americans, philanthropy started in the church. Children would proudly drop the first few pennies they would get into the offering basket. At a time when our community needed it most, First Missionary Baptist Church opened its doors and said, “Come in. Let’s organize, gather, and celebrate our freedom while also never forgetting our past.”
First Missionary Baptist Church for more than 200 years has understood its role in our celebration of freedom and today still remains a reminder of what the power of an organized and determined group of people can accomplish.
For more information about First Missionary Baptist Church and other historical African American leaders and communities in Arkansas, stop by and visit Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. Admission is free, and its hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. To schedule a tour, visit mosaictemplarscenter.com.
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