The early years of Negro worship were as slave members of the white church. For sometime, the church had no house of worship. In the spring of 1850, steps were taken toward erecting an edifice. It was April 2, 1853, when the first meeting was held in the new church building on the Southwest corner of Smith Avenue and South Dawson streets, formerly known as the Piney Wood Lots. This Building served as the home church. Both Negro worshippers and white worshippers used the same building. The Negro services were separate from the whites. The use of the meeting house was tendered them on the afternoon of each Sabbath. To set the record in its proper perspective, and to show appreciation for our determined fore parents, henceforth, let us think 1853 the year of separate worship, the beginning of the new church; our church. When we think of the history of the First Missionary Baptist church, historical facts actually take us back to the year of 1849 when the Thomasville Baptist church (white) was constituted. For sometime, the church had no house of worship. For forty-one years, this building served as the house of worship and was remodeled several times. In 1860, Mr. Alex Smith gave some land to the church. He requested that this land be used for church purposes only. On the land donated by Mr. Alex Smith, in which he specified that it be used for church purpose only, the pioneer members worshipped under “Bush Harbor” until they were able to build a church . Reverend Jacob Wade, the first pastor was called in 1866 and served until his death in 1873. The Reverend Benjamin Munson was the second pastor of the church. He served from 1873 until 1875 when illness forced him to resign. Rev Wade and Rev. Munson are entombed in the old cemetery on North Madison Street. Our very able Rev. Dr. I L Mullins, Sr. of Chattanooga, Tennessee, became our nineteenth pastor in November 1961. Led by this most able Man of God, the membership of the church doubled. The increase includes men, women, boys and girls of all ages, integratedly working together in an ongoing process. Guided by this energetic Man of God, the church strives to be a Beacon Light in all phases of spirited endeavors of our community. It has become a stalwart of the Civil Rights Movement. The church is not only a worshipping church, but a studying and learning church as well ; striving to carry out the command of “Go ye into all the world… ‘Through the blessing of God, the church is growing spiritually, numerically and materially.