Accessibility & Inclusion

Founded in Frontier, Memphis in 1839, First Baptist soon constructed a building a few blocks from the Mississippi River.

It continued to grow in membership and influence, but would soon face its first test as Civil War split the American people. The church’s building served as a hospital for the Union Army and was badly damaged. The members began to rebuild, despite a series of Yellow Fever epidemics and the challenges of Reconstruction.

Over the next seventy years, the church moved twice to larger facilities, opening the present Sanctuary at Poplar and East Parkway in 1951.

Later, the congregation added a Chapel, Family Life Center and Fellowship Hall.

In 1994, members organized Trinity Baptist Church in the suburb of Cordova, and First Baptist began another era of rebuilding. In 2000, the church constructed a new Welcome Center, Parlor, and Music Suite. The space for Preschool, Children, and Youth was completely renovated and enlarged.

On June 27, 2021, First Memphis called Rev. Dr. Kathryn Kimmel as the twenty-fourth and first female Senior Pastor.