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© FBC Ocala
2 801 SE Maricamp Rd.
Ocala, FL 34471
352-629-5683
 
 
History of FBC Ocala

First Baptist Church of Ocala was organized on July 3, 1850 with five members on the site of the present-day county courthouse. Rev. Isaac Newton was the first pastor.
In 1867, the entire black membership withdrew and organized Mount Moriah Baptist Church. And by 1873, the membership declined to only one remaining member, Mrs. Fannie R. Gary. In 1882, Rev. C. H. Nash was called as pastor. Under his leadership, the church property was sold and new land purchased on Magnolia Avenue where the Sovereign Building now stand.
In 1911, Dr. J. D. Chapman led the church to purchase a lot on the corner of Ocklawaha Avenue (now known as Silver Springs Boulevard) and Watula Avenue for construction of a new church, but the idea was given up later when the site on SE Third Street was found and purchased. In 1925, Dr. C. L. Collins preached in the old Temple Theatre building while the Third Street building was under construction. When the building was completed in 1926, Deacon Steven's Bible was placed in the cornerstone.
Rev. Earl Stallings was the pastor between 1951 and 1961. During his ministry, Sunday morning services began to be broadcast on WMOP radio. Oakcrest Baptist Church began as a mission in 1952; Highlands Baptist Church in 1957. An elevator - donated by the Paul Durands - was installed as well. The West Wing was added, including new classrooms, a modern nursery, and new church offices. In 1968, the Buffington Mission was started, now called South Ocala Baptist Church, and in 1978, the First Baptist Church of Silver Springs Shores was started as a mission.
In May 1983, Dr. Edward D. Johnson became our pastor. On October 24, 1991, the SE Third Street buildings were completely destroyed by arson. On Sunday, October 27, the congregation met at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Assembly of God on NE 14th Street for Worship. We continued to meet there for about six weeks. For the next eighteen months, First Baptist Church of Ocala met for Sunday Worship in the auditorium of Forest High School and for Midweek Services at Highlands Baptist Church on Thursday evenings. In 1993, the Education Building on the current property on Maricamp Road was completed, and in 1995, the Sanctuary on Maricamp Road was completed.