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The First Baptist Church of Delray Beach was constituted in
January of 1912 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. L S. Sundy, with 14 charter members.
The original meeting place is the present day Sundy House on Swinton Avenue, and
is on the national historical register. The first church building was a one-room
building, located on the comer of SE 4th Ave. and 3rd Street. Following a period
of financial hardship the tiny, struggling church was forced to declare
bankruptcy in 1917. However the church recovered and even managed to begin its
first mission work in Lake Worth in 1920. This new work eventually became the
First Baptist Church of Lake Worth.
In 1926 the church moved to the corner of South
Federal Highway and 1st Street, where it ministered and grew for the next 33
years. This building became somewhat of a local landmark as its attractive
features included six tall ionic columns. At the time of the erection of this
building, the church borrowed $20,000 from the Home Mission Board. The church
still was not large, and Delray Beach shared in the economic difficulties
suffered by the state and nation for the next decade.
The original church building on SE 4th Avenue
was converted into a pastorium that was destroyed by the September 1928
hurricane. Another hurricane in 1947 caused damage to the church sanctuary. In
1950 a second mission work began that became the First Baptist Church of Boca
Raton. In 1953 the church began the Little Friends Kindergarten to provide
Christian education and daycare for preschoolers. This vital ministry continues
today and is known by the name, "Little Friends Learning Center."
By the early 1950's the church had finally
reached a rapid pace of growth, and needed more space. Seven acres on the comer
of Swinton Avenue and SE 4th Street were purchased in 1953 for $15,000. In 1959
a third mission work was begun in the Germantown Road area. While that original
church dissolved a few years later, the buildings were sold to the present day
Calvary Bible Baptist Church, which continues an effective ministry in its
setting. In 1956 construction began on the Swinton Avenue property, and the
church eventually relocated to that site in 1959. The cost of the entire project
was just over $400,000. At the time of relocation, average Sunday School
attendance was around 500.
The church's 33 years of ministry on Swinton
Avenue, included several significant events. In 1967 a number of members left
and formed the Lakeview Baptist Church in North Delray Beach. In 1972 the debt
was retired ahead of schedule; in 1973 a Deaf Ministry was begun; in 1974 the
sanctuary was refurbished- in 1976 property was purchased on Barwick Road to
begin a new mission work; and in 1979 a Family Life Center was constructed at a
cost of $300,000.
In 1985 the church formed a Long-Range Planning
Committee to study options available for maintaining a growing ministry into the
future. In 1987 the church began the First Spanish Baptist Mission. That same
year the church voted to purchase a new site on Military Trail in West Delray,
and relocate. This nine acre parcel of land was purchased for $1.2 million and
is the church's current location.
In 1991, the church sold its complex on Swinton
Ave. to the Drug Abuse Foundation for $775,000. That same year, in the month of
April a ground breaking ceremony was held on Military Trail and the church sold
$1.7 million in bonds to help finance the construction of the church. The
construction of Phase-I was completed in 1992 at a cost of approximately $2
million. The church dedicated its new property and buildings, and celebrated its
80th Anniversary, on June 14th. Phase-II plans call for a permanent sanctuary
and additional educational and parking space, while Phase-III plans call for the
construction of a gymnasium / family life center. In the six year period, from
1987-1993, the church raised over $1.5 million to help pay for the land and
buildings, in addition to funds received from sale of the old church.
Within the first five years at its new location on
Military Trail the church experienced rapid growth. Over 400 additions were
recorded, and new ministries and programs were begun. In 1996, the church
elected another Long-Range Planning Committee for the purpose of leading the
church into the 21st century.
In 1999 the church adopted a new Mission
Statement which amplifies the church's purpose and mission. This Statement is:
"We are a Christ-centered community of believers who seek to share the love and
grace of Jesus Christ by standing in God's POWER through
Prayer, Outreach, Worship, Education
and Relationships." In January of 2000, the church
embraced a new Vision Statement and began the process of developing new
ministries, programs and emphases that earnestly seek to minister to and meet
the needs of those within the church and community. Additionally, the church
celebrated the dawning of a new millennium with enthusiasm, and the promise of a
bright, exciting future.
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