Our story
Since 1860, in the heart of the city.
A prayer house built by faith in 1860. A sanctuary dedicated in 1874. A congregation that never stopped meeting.
Mission
To reach the lost by modeling the Great Commission through evangelism, discipleship, ministry, fellowship, and worship.
The Mission Statement of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach, FL is to reach the lost by modeling The Great Commission through evangelism, discipleship, ministry, fellowship, and worship. We endeavor to make The Great Commission the major focus of our becoming "The Church in the heart of the city with a desire to be in the hearts of all people!"
Vision
Becoming the thermostat that sets the temperature for our church, city, and community.
We the members of FMBC desire to fulfill vision by staying connected to our mission statement, ultimately becoming the thermostat that sets the temperature for our church, city, and community, while transforming the lives of broken people who are trying to pick up the pieces.
Church theme for 2026
Working to Restore the Kingdom.
Enlisting. Encouraging. Engaging. Envisioning.
"So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work." Nehemiah 4:6
Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. D. K. Bolden Sr., the church spends each year building on one theme. In 2026 the work is restoration, the way Nehemiah's people rebuilt the wall together: enlisting new hands, encouraging one another, engaging the city, and envisioning what God will build next in Fernandina Beach.
Our history
One hundred sixty-six years on the same corner of the map.
The church's history was first compiled in 1951 by Lottie Cook Williams, Nora Russel, and Willie Mae Ashley. What follows draws on their work, the congregation's records, and the Florida Heritage marker that stands in front of the church.
- 1860
A prayer house built by faith
Years before emancipation, a small group of believers who were still in bondage build a meeting place of their own and organize the church, calling Elder William Rose of Savannah, Georgia as its first pastor. The first building stands at Beech and Fifth Streets.
- The 1860s
Noah's Ark
Services move to a building at Atlantic Avenue and Ninth Street. Its odd shape, and the fact that it was built partly over a pond, earn it the nickname Noah's Ark.
- December 20, 1873
A permanent home
The congregation purchases the present site on South 9th Street, a few blocks from Centre Street. The church has worshipped here ever since.
- 1874
The sanctuary is dedicated
A Gothic-style wood-frame church with a steeple is completed and dedicated. It is the oldest known Black Missionary Baptist church in Florida with uninterrupted service, and it still holds worship every Sunday.
- 1890
Peggy Bailey leads the state
Mrs. E. M. (Peggy) Bailey, a member of First Missionary, is elected the first president of the Women's Missionary State Convention.
- 1902
Emma B. Delaney is sent to Africa
The church sends member Emma Beard Delaney to Africa as a missionary. In 1912 she founds the Suehn Industrial Mission in Liberia. She returns home ill in 1922, dies months later, and is buried at Bosque Bello Cemetery. A memorial stone is unveiled in 1935.
- 1958
The steeple comes down
After lightning damage, the original steeple is removed. It would be more than forty years before a new one rose over 9th Street.
- 1965 to 1988
Hezekiah and Flagler
Rev. Randy Hezekiah is called in 1965. Rev. Flagler is installed in 1970 and serves about eighteen years, until his death in 1988. In 1987 his son Terrance "Tee" Flagler becomes the first person from Fernandina Beach selected by a professional football team.
- 1973
A place in the National Register
The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing building in the Fernandina Beach Historic District.
- 1979
The Emma B. Delaney Fellowship Hall
A fellowship hall is dedicated in honor of the church's missionary to Liberia. Church School Institute meets there every Sunday morning to this day.
- 1989 to 1996
Growing the campus
Rev. Andrew McRae is installed in 1989 and the church begins purchasing adjoining property beside the parsonage. Rev. Ricardo Willis is installed in 1995, and Rev. Franklin A. Brown serves in an interim role.
- 1997
Pastor Bolden is called
Rev. Darien K. Bolden Sr. begins his pastorate. In the years since, the church has restored the sanctuary interior, renovated the exterior of the church and parsonage, remodeled the consecration room and music rehearsal suite, and raised a new steeple.
- 2018
A Florida Heritage Site
The State of Florida and the congregation place a historical marker in front of the church, telling the story to everyone who walks down 9th Street.
- Today
The next chapter has your name in it
Every Sunday, this history gets one week longer. Come be part of it.
Names worth knowing
Ordinary members. Extraordinary reach.
1902
Emma B. Delaney
Missionary to Africa and founder of the Suehn Industrial Mission in Liberia in 1912. The church's fellowship hall carries her name.
1890
Peggy Bailey
First president of the Women's Missionary State Convention, organized in 1890, and the first president of the Florida Women's Convention.
Pastor
Rev. Edward M. Brawley
The first Black graduate of Bucknell University and the first president of Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina, who served this congregation as pastor.
The pastors who served
A long line of shepherds.
From Elder William Rose to Pastor Bolden, in the order the church records them.
- Elder William Rose 1860
- Rev. Austin
- Rev. Lewis Cook
- Rev. Woods interim
- Rev. Taylor
- Rev. Kemps
- Rev. Thorpe
- Rev. J. T. Brown
- Rev. N. H. Jones
- Rev. Brewer
- Rev. Devaughn
- Rev. Rowe
- Rev. Hawkins
- Rev. Edward M. Brawley
- Rev. E. H. Howetoll
- Rev. Lenwood Morrison
- Rev. J. J. Jenkins
- Rev. A. Anderson
- Rev. John F. Neal
- Rev. Randy Hezekiah 1965
- Rev. Flagler 1970
- Rev. Andrew McRae 1989
- Rev. Ricardo Willis 1995
- Rev. Franklin A. Brown interim
- Rev. Dr. Darien K. Bolden Sr. 1997 to present
