First Baptist Church Arlington Celebrates Its Sesquicentennial

First Baptist Church Arlington is making (and celebrating) history in Downtown! 

FBCA, one of the oldest congregations in Arlington, is commemorating its 150th anniversary. At the time of its founding, Ulysses S. Grant was President of the United States, and Arlington was evolving as an importation station along the new transcontinental railroad. According to church records, First Baptist Church Arlington began its work "adjacent to a famous stagecoach stop known as Johnson's Station -- names for the area's most famous resident, Colonel Middleton Tate Johnson. Eventually the community would move 3 miles to the north, embracing the opening of the newly completed railroad."

FBCA: A Timeline   

FBCA Today   

Over the last twenty years, First Baptist Church Arlington has flourished in Downtown and has given back to our district, the city, and the world in countless ways. The footprint of FBCA Church has grown tremendously in the last two decades, along with attendance, programs and outreach. Partnerships with UT Arlington and the City of Arlington have helped to revitalize the Downtown area adjacent to the church and beyond. The FBCA Center for Counseling and Enrichment provides Christian-based counseling for the community. In addition to their shared history with Mission Arlington, the congregation's impressive array of dynamic and cross-cultural ministries provides ministry to hundreds of thousands of people close to home and in over 160 countries annually.
 

Schedule of Events   

First Baptist Church Arlington's 50th Anniversary celebrations take place from October 22-24, 2021 and include:

Friday, October 22

• A musical look at FBCA history, narrated by Pastor Dennis Wiles and directed by Aaron Tomes, FBCA Minister of Classic Worship
• Church lighting ceremony on Center Street

Saturday, October 23

• Pancake Breakfast and meet the staff
• Birthday party for young families, church history-inspired bounce houses, and a look inside the new Children’s Building
• Former staff Meet and Greet, hosted by Lynn Goodman, at the Levitt Pavilion Hospitality Center
• Lunch catered by J. Gilligans (purchase tickets in advance through the FBCA website)
• Youth Camp Reunion

Sunday, October 24

• Progressive Breakfast buffet
• Service of Celebration
   

Join the Celebration  

For a complete schedule, more information, and to RSVP for FBCA 150th Anniversary events, visit the FBCA website. Giving opportunities can be found by clicking here.
 

First Baptist Church Arlington
301 South Center St.
Arlington, TX 76010
fbca.org

Thank you to First Baptist Church Arlington for sharing its founding story, including the timeline, with us. For more about the history of Arlington, visit the City of Arlington website. Watercolor image from FBCA Facebook page.