Church History

In 1867, a group of Baptist pioneers established Fort Worth Baptist Church. This infant church struggled for survival in this western frontier town. In 1873, meeting in the old Court House, 26 members of that early church rededicated themselves to the Lord, and renamed their congregation First Baptist Church of Fort Worth.

Under the dynamic leadership of J. Morgan Wells, the first Moderator of the Tarrant Baptist Association, the church relocated when the constant noise, dust, and odors from the cattle being driven past the open windows of Sunday worship, became more than they could stand. The new church was dedicated in 1890 and became known as "The church of the cattle barons."

With the turn of the century, First Baptist Church embarked upon her most celebrated and controversial period of history. A young 32 year old Baylor graduate, J. Frank Norris, left his Pastorate at McKinney Avenue Baptist Church in Dallas to answer the call of First Baptist Church of Fort Worth.

After the death of Dr. Norris in 1952, the church called another young preacher to be their pastor. Homer G. Ritchie, 25, led First Baptist Church. In 1981, Rev. Ritchie approached Rev. Johnnie Ramsey of the Rolling Hills Baptist Church with the prospects of merging the two congregations. The news was overwhelmingly accepted, and Johnnie H. Ramsey, Jr. would complete thirty years of pastoring in the First Baptist Church of Fort Worth in 1984.

After announcing his retirement from the pastorate in December of 1984, the church voted to call Billy L. Ramsey to serve as pastor. After 12 years of pastoring First Baptist, Rev. Ramsey felt the Lord leading him to take the pastorate of a mission of the church. With his new assignment the church began to pray about whom God would have lead this wonderful congregation into the 21st century.

On April 6, 1997 First Baptist Church extended a call to Donald J. Wills. Rev. Wills served on the staff for over 15 years. In the first five months of his pastorate, God has continued to bless this marvelous church with 57 additions, 25 baptisms and 21 saved. To God be the glory!

The best days are still ahead, and "history is being made in the old First Baptist Church of Fort Worth!" The prospects for the future are bright because God is still on the throne, and this church is His divine institution, guided, and guarded by Almighty God.