In January, 1845, the Negro members of Front Street Baptist Church requested and were granted permission to have separate
Sunday afternoon meetings.  Brother A. J. Battle (one of the white members) was authorized to preach to them with the view of
collecting an African congregation.  In 1851, it was unanimously adopted that the Negro portion of the church should not have any
officers among them whatever, with the exception of Deacons.  In 1852, the Sabbath School for Negroes was organized.  In 1864
the Negroes were allowed to hold regular worship service among themselves and employed a minister to preach to them at their own cost. 
This African congregation became “The First African Baptist Church.”

On November 7, 1864, the Negro membership of the Front Street Baptist Church received permission of that body to go their own way
and construct their own church.  During 1864, the African Baptist Church was located on Walnut Street, between Fourth Street and Fifth Avenue. 
The Church remained on Walnut Street until 1869.  It is believed that the first minister of this church was Reverend W.H. Banks.  Among the first
officers of the church were:  Deacons Thomas Parker, Marsh Walker, Henry Bimage, Robert Willie, Charles Carrell, and Joseph Cogdell;
Trustees:  Eli Curry, George Franklin, Rufus Campbell and William Harriss.

A dispute arose among the members and Reverend Banks drew out such members as would follow him and organized the Ebenezer Baptist Church
(at this time called Second Baptist Church).  During the latter part of 1864, construction on a new frame structure was started on the northwest corner
of Campbell’s Square.  In May of 1865, Edward Eagles, who had been excluded from the African Baptist Church and accepted as member of the
First Baptist Church (white), was granted a license to preach the Gospel to his Negro brothers.  Later, First Baptist Church (white) ordained him.

In 1866, when the call from Baptists residing in the upper section of New Hanover County (now Sampson, Duplin,
and Pender Counties) for someone to preach in their area, Thomas Parker, then a deacon, volunteered to heed the call. 
He was licensed by the church and ordained by the white ministry of Wilmington and went as a missionary in the area. 
It is believed that Reverend Huffman acted as pastor from 1866-1869.  In 1869 the new church was completed at Fifth
and Campbell Streets and the name African was deleted, thus the church name became First Baptist.  It was under
Reverend Huffman’s administration that the Senior Choir was organized.  It is believed that the fourth Sunday in
June, 1869 was the first Sunday they served.

The first pastor to serve the new church was the Reverend M.M. Johnson.  In the late 1870’s and the early 1880’s,
the church was served by Reverend A.M. Conway and Reverend Joseph Spells.  Reverend J.H. Rhoe was elected to First Baptist Church in 1990. 
The Church Clerk was Deacon Essex Murphy.  According to the association, First Baptist Church was withdrawn from the Association between 1900
and 1917.  The Missionary Society was organized during the 1900’s.

In 1918, Revered J.R. Thomas was elected pastor of First Baptist Church.  Deacon Theodore Shedrick was Church Clerk.  During this time, the church
was reinstated into the Association.  Reverend J.H. Thomas was elected to the Ministerial Board of the Association.  Usher Board #1 was organized.

In 1924, Reverend J.J. Howe was elected pastor of First Baptist Church.  The Church Clerk was Deacon Theodore Shedrick.  In 1925 Reverend J. J. Howe
was elected to the Ministerial Board of the Association.  In 1927, Reverend Dr. J. J. Howe, Sr. saw the need for a Junior Choir.  With the assistance
of Mrs. Adlena Moore Hill, the Junior Choir was duly organized.  They made their first appearance on the third Sunday, October 16, 1927.

The Junior Usher Board was also organized in 1927 and it is believed that they first served on the third Sunday in March.  In 1941, Reverend
Dr. J. J. Howe, Sr. was elected as one of the trustees of Faison Norman Institute, Faison, NC (which was operated by the Kenansville Association). 
Brick veneer was placed on the outside of the structure with many other interior and exterior improvements.  A new cornerstone was placed in the
new brick façade with an appropriate inscription which read “Dum Spiro Spero Spes,” translated:  “While I Breathe, I Hope for Hope.”

About 3:35 am on February 1, 1974, Joseph Sweat, a Star News route man discovered flames and smoke coming from the church.  The Wilmington
Fire Department was called at 3:36 am and arrived soon afterward to find the building engulfed in flames.  The high arched roof and the old building
hampered efforts to extinguish the blaze.  The fire raced through the upper portion of the church, causing the roof to cave in.  The sanctuary suffered
the most damage.  The pews were consumed as was the flooring.  Only a portion of the pulpit remained.  When the firemen were able to enter the
building, they found the pulpit Bible still intact.  Although covered in soot from the fire, the cover remained in “excellent condition” and not a page singed.

The congregation moved into the present building on April 25, 1976 at 3:00 pm.  The mortgage was burned on
November 11, 1979.

During the administration of Reverend Dr. Joseph Z. Windley, several programs were initiated for the youth and senior
members of the church, including an active Children’s Church, four Girls Scout troops, a Boy Scout troop, a Youth-Senior
Citizen Activity and an Adopt-A-Grandparent Program.  Other youth activities include New Horizons, a choir organized
for young people devoted to Christian training, and basketball and softball teams organized to promote Christian sportsmanship
and fellowship among area churches.  Other programs established under Reverend Dr. Windley, include: Church Birthday Calendar, Bus Ministry, Tape Ministry,
Food Bank, Hospitality Committee, SHARE Distribution, Maternal and Child Outreach, Friday Morning Bible Class, Prayer Service, G.B.S.C.Seminar Extension
Class-Shaw University, Vacation Bible Camp, Sickle Cell and NAACP Sundays,  Senior Citizen’s Meals on Wheels Programs, Unified Ushers Program, Christian
Crafts and weekly Sunday School Staff meetings.  The Joseph Z. Windley Gospel Choir was organized in 1990.  Dr. Charlotte H. Rollins served as editor of the
Guilding Light Newspaper that was published quarterly.  Deborah G. Elleston was employed as church secretary and a Parish Nurse joined the staff to offer
health education to our members.

Property was acquired across the street from the church on Campbell and North Sixth Streets, a beautiful park area is used for homecoming picnics and
other functions, a single family home and a three-apartment house were rented.

Church members answering God's calling to the preaching ministry were Brother Samuel Stallings, Sister Carrie Ross, and Brother Johnnie Wise. 
Brother Samuel Stallings preached his initial sermon on January 27, 1991, Sister Carrie Ross preached her initial sermon on July 14, 1991 and
Brother Johnnie Wise preached his initial sermon on May 30, 1993.  Several men were added to the Brotherhood of Deacons:  Joseph Carpenter,
James Dixon, Irving Dowe, Emanuel Moss, Allen Robinson, Jeffrey Brown, and Joecefus Satterwhite.  Frank Beacote, B.B. Davis, Robert Floyd,
Herbert Shepard, Joseph Smith, W.A. Soders, III, Clayton Murphy, Sr.,  Ron Johnson, Eddie Sellars, Sadie Godwin, Carrie Ross and B. Juanita
McZeal were added to the Trustees.

In 2006, Reverend John O. Veasey became pastor of First Baptist Missionary Church.  Under his leadership, First Baptist Missionary Church
has grown numerally and spiritually.  Since becoming pastor, Reverend Veasey has acquired over fifty-seven new members during this  pastorate. 
During his leadership the following Ministries have been added:  Bible Institute, Praise Team, Youth Bible Study, New Member's Facilitators,
Singles Ministry, Women's Ministry, Program Committee, Young Lions, Finance Committee, Media/Website and Sanctuary Choir.