First Baptist's Rich History
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The Church continued to prosper spiritually and financially until 1877 when the building was destroyed by fire. After months of prayer and hard work, land was purchased and the new church building was built. It was at this time the Church was renamed First Baptist Church of Midlothian. First Baptist created the name "Midlothian" in that the site on which the new church was built was located midway between two tracts of land which were owned by the Lothian brothers, whom were English gentlemen who owned the Grove Shaft Coal Mines. It should be noted that these coal mines were the first coal mines established in America.
Historically, First Baptist of Midlothian has had an enormous impact on Chestfield County in that it is not only the oldest African-American church of any denomination but it has given birth to six(6)other Baptist congregations.They are: Mt. Nebo, Mt. Calvary, Bethlehem, Spring Creek, Mt. Sinai, and Friendship Memorial Baptist Churches.
Since 1846, twenty-eight pastors have served this great church. Rev. Pernell J. Johnson is our current Pastor.
Many changes and improvements have taken place at First Baptist through the cooperation work of the church ministries, officers, members, and friends.
First Baptist is indeed grateful to God for our church in which we can carry out the work started by our forefathers. We will continue to work together in harmony and thus honor those before us who decided to build this church as a monument to God.
We are ever mindful of those words found in the book of Hebrew 11:1 which reads: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." As we continue to move forward, we must always look to Jesus Christ who died that we might have hope and eternal life. Let us have faith in Him. Let us labor in love for Him, and for his sake, let us develop a hope that endure.
To God be the glory !!!!