O U R S T O R Y
Bay Area First Baptist Church was organized on December 4, 1887, in the Clear Creek School House as a missionary Baptist church in the Union Baptist Association. The first baptisms were held in Clear Creek and thus the name was Clear Creek Baptist Church. It was the first Baptist church on the mainland in Galveston County.
The first church building was dedicated June 14, 1896. At that time the name First Baptist Church, League City was adopted. A month later in July 1896, the first Sunday School began. But disaster struck in the form of a hurricane September 3, 1900, and the first building was destroyed. Services were held at the Presbyterian Church until the second building was completed at the same site November 15, 1902.
Sunday School was reorganized March 8, 1914. Oil was discovered in the League City-Dickinson area in the late 1930's, which resulted in an influx of many new people into the area. The years 1937-1939 brought a remarkable increase of membership with 158 additions, bringing the total membership to 207. The average Sunday School attendance was ninety-six.
The decade of the fifties brought a new sanctuary, a new parsonage,a new mission church birthed in Friendswood (FBC) and a new high in Sunday School attendance with an average in the 300's. We began a ministry to the Spanish-speaking people of the area in January, 1965. They have added great warmth and have been a rich blessing to our assembly.
The "super seventies" were marked by the opening of the Bay Area Christian School and the first presentation of Bethlehem City, a live drive-thru nativity attended by thousands each year.
On May 15, 1976, a bold new step was taken. Ground was broken at a new location. God had provided 50 acres to be filled with ministry. The first service was held in the Worship Center (gymnatorium) April 3, 1977. On May 1, 1977, the building was dedicated to evangelism. In 1982, Bay Area was added to the name 'First Baptist Church' to better identify the goal of the church in reaching the Bay Area.
In 1995, a Sports Center was built to accommodate the church's growing ministries. On October 5, 1997, Bay Area celebrated the grand opening of a newly renovated Worship Center. In 2005 a new 36,000 sq. ft. Children's Center was added for school and children's ministry.The Student Center was built in 2006 to offer junior high through college students a place to worship, hold Bible study and gather for fellowship.
Throughout the 120-plus year history, God's hand has clearly been on Bay Area First Baptist Church. As God has directed, men and women have consistently stepped out in faith to meet the challenges before them. Trusting that the future is even brighter than the past, Bay Area First Baptist Church continues to be a place where the Bible is taught, where Jesus is lifted up, and where lives are renewed.
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