First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Jacksonville

The First Baptist Church of Jacksonville is one of the largest and most influential Southern Baptist churches in the United States, with a membership of 28,000 and an average Sunday attendance of approximately 7,500.

The church traces its roots to Bethel Baptist Church, the oldest Baptist congregation in Jacksonville, founded in 1838. Over the years, First Baptist has expanded significantly and now spans eleven square blocks in downtown Jacksonville, reflecting both its growth and its central role in the community.

Designed by architect H.J. Klutho and completed in 1903, the church building showcases Romanesque architecture with rough-cut limestone construction. Its design reflects the strength and prominence the church has achieved in the region.

First Baptist Church's history has been shaped by several influential pastors, including Homer G. Lindsay, Jr. and Jerry Vines, who played key roles in the Southern Baptist Convention’s growth and its shift towards a more conservative, fundamentalist direction.