Twelve people gathered in 1846 with the desire to start a Baptist church in Waukegan. Through the early years the church gathered in homes, schools and a furniture store using the Little Fort River for baptisms. The current building was built in 1950 but there were two meeting houses before that. The first was built in 1849 when the church had 37 members.

First Baptist Church has ministered to the community in times of war and peace, through boom times and hardship, to the powerful and the poor, always telling the story of God’s love. The methods have changed over the years but the passion for the lost and the calling to minister to the least in our society has remained the same.

In recent years, First Baptist has been making a real difference in the lives of its neighbors. It helped form a tenant’s organization for the Lakeside Towers and a tutoring program that partnered at-risk children with students at nearby Shimer College. First Baptist’s youth program attracted many gang members; some of whom gave up the gang for the hope offered through Jesus Christ.

Friendliness is the first thing that people notice about us. First Baptist is a place where people are accepted the way they are and encouraged to become complete in God.

Diversity is another feature. People of different ethnicities, cultures, and generations worship together and serve God according to their gifts.

In 2007, First Baptist merged with Grace Chapel. Both churches shared similar passions, complementary strengths and a common vision to reach the diverse community of Waukegan and Lake County.

These words were written over 100 years ago by a pastor of this church:

“We stand today well equipped for Christian service.  With the inspiration which comes from an honored and successful past, with the preparation gained in actual work in winning souls, and with the anticipation of still greater things, we look into the future to see beckoning the Lord’s hand.  Willing, we believe, to follow; willing, we believe, to labor; willing, if need be, even to wait; but at all times praying that the harvest may ripen and the sheaves be granted.  Glorious as is our past... we must be ‘reaching forth unto those things which are before, press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Rev. Harry W. Reed (1890-96)

God has done some exciting things at First Baptist Church over the years but we know that the biggest blessings are still ahead.