Our History
First Baptist Church of Woodlawn (originally called Woodlawn Mission Chapel) emerged out of God’s heart for the lost and broken in the Woodlawn community. A group of Christian men and women, feeling led by the Holy Spirit; meet together to pray and discuss the possibilities of organizing a Mission Chapel in the Woodlawn community.
The truth is prayer has been the foundation of FBCW Church from the very beginning. The church was birthed through prayer. In the winter of 1957, a small group began gathering in the home of Roy and Faye Sleigh to pray for the Woodlawn community. That small gathering grew and soon became too large to meet in one home. A building was needed. Associational Missionary Bro. A.L. Partain was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Woodlawn Chapel. On January 5, 1958, a group of thirty-one met with the intent to form a Baptist Mission Chapel. The mission was to be an extension of New Providence Baptist Church in Clarksville, TN. There were sixteen founding members recognized, they are listed as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Ray Butts, Mr. and Mrs. John Earl Sleigh, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Lockwood, Mr. And Mrs. Ira Stafford and their son Ira Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Roy Sleigh, Mrs. O.N. Vick, Mr. A.L. Partain, Mrs. Charlie Sleigh, Mr. and Mrs. Kelley Atkins.
Shortly after the purchase of three acres of land and the purchase and renovation of a barracks building from Ft. Campbell, the first service was held…January 19, 1958. Later that year, Woodlawn Mission chapel changed their name to Woodlawn Baptist Church in order to better reflect their unity in ministry to the Community. Due, in-part, to the rapid growth of the Woodlawn community, in 1970 the name was again changed from Woodlawn Baptist Church to First Baptist Church of Woodlawn (FBCW). Forty-two years later, FBCW still facilitates worship, prayer, discipleship, youth and children gatherings.
A few people gathered to pray and God moved. A few people had faith and God exceeded all of their expectations. God’s heart still bleeds for the lost and broken in this community. The community of Woodlawn and First Baptist Church of Woodlawn have changed dramatically over the last 54 years. Both have grown substantially, but our church continues to be a cornerstone in the community. God’s blessings to us have been many. We still gather together to pray and we can’t wait to see how God’s going to surprise us next. Won’t you join us on this exciting journey? There’s never a dull moment around here… so come on over, but make sure you hang onto your hat, as we grow, it’s a wild ride!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
2008's #2 fastest growing Sunday school Ministry in the state of Tennessee for Medium size churches
2010 Top 25 fastest growing Sunday school Ministries in the state of Tennessee for Medium size churches
2011 - Recognized by the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism as being in the top 4% of Southern Baptist churches when the following were considered: number of annual baptisms and annual conversion ratio.
