The story of First Baptist Gulfport is truly a story of God’s providential leadership and unending provision. Ultimately, it is HIStory!

In the months before September 1896, eighteen-year-old Bertha Amis organized and taught a non-denominational Sunday School class for youth.  In good weather, the class met under live oak trees and at other times in a railway car that was side-tracked on Sundays.  On September 19, First Baptist Church Gulfport was formally organized with 8 charter members. The church continued meeting in homes, the railway car, under the trees in lumber sheds, and, finally, in a small schoolhouse.

With attendance growing, the need for permanent meeting space became evident.  In December 1898, First Baptist Church Gulfport began its first building fund. The committee first wrote to all their Baptist friends, asking each for a donation of ten cents. The venture netted $30.

Over the next seventy years, FBC Gulfport continued growing and expanding in membership, facilities and ministries. The bus ministry of the 1960s and 70s led to the greatest participation in Sunday school and worship the church has ever experienced. The Sunday school, music ministry, children’s ministry and student ministry have long been key in disciple-making.  In the past decade, Upward Sports has become a consistent outreach ministry, reaching hundreds of children and their families.

Despite suffering from some natural disasters (a church fire in 1965; Hurricane Camille in 1969; Hurricane Katrina in 2008), God has always been faithful.

And, while outreach and  discipleship methods have changed over the years, our mission remains the same.

As we Amplify the Hope Across the Coast by Connecting People to Life in Jesus, we are continually growing.