Our History:

When Lee County was first settled, shortly after the year 1826, the Baptist faith was dominant. Leesburg came into being after the War Between the States.

In 1871, C. B. Callaway conveyed land in what was then "Wooten Depot" to C. M. Irwin, W. A. Jones and S. B. King "for the erection of a Baptist church for the worship of Almighty God."

The first sermon was preached by the Reverend M. B. Warton on December 17, 1871 with 11 members. At that time, the church was called Wooten Baptist Church, and later changed to Leesburg Baptist Church on August 3, 1873.

At least four church houses have been built on site.  In 1923, a brick veneer church was erected and the name of the church was once again changed - this time to Callaway Memorial Baptist Church.  This building, however, was destroyed on March 16, 1941 by fire and another building was constructed and dedicated on March 28, 1943.  At that time the church's name was changed once again to Leesburg Baptist Church and then a few years later changed for the final time to First Baptist Church of Leesburg.

A pastorium was constructed on a lot adjacent to the church building and a two-story educational building, fellowship hall and office suite was dedicated on July 4, 1976.  The sanctuary was completely renovated in November of 1980.

In November 1993, the pastorium was removed to make way for a new sanctuary which was completed in October 1994.  The new fellowship hall was built in 1995 and the old fellowship hall and office suite were renovated and new Sunday School rooms were added.  The new buildings were dedicated November 5, 1995.

With increased members and Sunday School attendance on the rise, there was an immediate need for more classrooms.  To fill that need, in 1996, the old sanctuary was remodeled and divided into Sunday School rooms, later the same year, the Beulah Forrester property located directly across the street was purchased and the home converted to even more classroom space.

In March 1997, First Baptist purchased the lot adjacent to the Beulah Forrester house which created 80 additional parking spaces for the church.  And in February 1999 the property adjoining the old sanctuary building was purchased and the house converted to still more classroom and parking space.

In 2003/2004 a new Education building was completed housing our adult Sunday School classes and Middle School Youth.  In November of 2005 we completed our new Family Life Center which houses our children for Sunday School and AWANA and provides the church with a gymnasium and stage and special event areas.

First Baptist Leesburg has grown to more than 1300 members.  Our average attendance for Sunday School is 750.  We are still looking forward to the day when our preschool and administration buildings become a reality. 

As God leads, First Baptist Church of Leesburg will continue to press on, giving thanks that people care coming to hear the word of God preached and that reborn Christians are becoming a part of His eternal Kingdom!