The First Baptist Church in Alabama particularly in Huntsville has a rich history and this makes it one of the few churches in America with such. It is considered one of the biggest churches in the State of Alabama and still flourishing though it’s already the oldest Southern Baptist church located in this state. This baptist church started even before the state of Alabama was acknowledged.
Everyday, a lot of people will pass by the church but may be unaware of its rich history as they travel down Governor’s Drive. The bad news is that the church’s majesty is flawed by the large and gaudy mural painted on the side of the church facing Governor’s Drive. This happened when the church transferred to its new location in the 1960s, belying the historical roots of this supposedly beautiful church. The church had celebrated its bicentennial last 2009 where more people were already made aware of its roots.
Officially put up on June 3, 1809, the First Baptist Church was named as the West Fork of Flint Baptist Church. The congregation thought the name was lengthy hence the name was changed to Enon Church. The church building was originally located several miles north from its present location which is near downtown Huntsville. However, as years passed and the church grew in number, like the churches of independent fundamental baptist; where the members come mostly from the population of Huntsville proper, the church altered its name again to First Baptist of Huntsville by the year 1893.
The First Baptist Church moved again to a stunning looking building on the corner of Gallatin and Clinton streets in the year 1895 still in downtown Huntsville. It was here where they stayed for more than seventy years. But after all these years of staying in the building, they finally outgrew it. Actually, this building was originally designed to hold about 450 worshippers in the mid 1960s. At present, First Baptist is now in its present location on Governor’s Drive just off Memorial Parkway where they moved after that.
The year 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, where every member is looking forward to more years for this prestigious church, like the other churches such as the baptist church Lexington. They are expecting another 200 years for the church to serve the community it is recently located. If by chance you visit Alabama in the near future, you are welcome to stop by the church in the area and read about its history. The church members are proud to place its history on the erected historic marker denoting the First Baptist Church’s place in the history of Alabama.