Our History

First Baptist Church, the oldest Baptist church in the city of Roanoke was established when the community was called Big Lick, and has continued in the Lord’s work in unbroken activity ever since.

In a dwelling on what was known as Hart Avenue, the First Baptist Church of Roanoke, Virginia was organized in Big Lick, Roanoke County Virginia, September 30, 1867. The small membership held service in that dwelling for a short while, and then moved to an old hall for another brief period. From this location they moved to Diamond Hill where the first house of worship was built.

The membership increased rapidly and soon the little meeting house was found to be too small to accommodate the congregation. Then they purchased the brick church owned by the St. John’s Episcopal Church. It is interesting to note that the deed was recorded as “between the Trustees of St. John’s Episcopal Church of Big Lick and the Trustees of Big Lick Baptist (colored) Church.”

Truly it has been a “Journey of Faith” that has brought us safe thus far and faith will lead us on so that First Baptist will shine as a refuge, a joy, a hope and a great soul saving station.

Rev. Edmond Johnson (1867-1881)

A man inspired by God to do His holy works, Rev. Edmond Johnson carried in his heart the dream of seeing a formal church for Negroes in the Roanoke Valley. And so on September 30, 1867, in a dwelling on Hart Avenue NE, Rev. Johnson, with the inspiration that he had received from God and encouragement from a white bible teacher, established First Baptist Church.

The enthusiastic response to the man and his dream was of such magnitude that Rev. Johnson soon had to find a larger place for worship. He moved the growing congregation to an old hall, located on the same street, but offered more space. The news of the church and its leader quickly spread and the membership increased so rapidly that it became necessary to seek still a larger building to accommodate the membership.

The purchase price for the first brick church was $800 and for 5 years Rev. Johnson served the congregation in that sanctuary thus giving 14 years of inspired daring and leadership. No man could have borne the great burdens of organizing a church and becoming its first pastor without dedication to the will and purpose of God.