Our History
The history of the First Baptist Church of Georgetown began in 1967. It originated when thirteen people pulled away from another local church. This small group held their first meeting on August 14, 1967 in the Midland Grange Hall on Race Street.
The first weekly speaker was Chuck Wright, a youth director, from the Milford-Dover area. He was followed by Pastor Albert Jewell from Milford. Both men spoke alternately each week at the grange for one and a half years. In December 1967, Pastor Albert Jewell was voted by the people to become their pastor. This small group became known as the Community Bible Church. The people started meeting in several homes.
Later, the members of this newly organized church decided that they wanted to build a church. On July 15, 1968, they purchased thirty acres from Minnie Queer of Georgetown which is the land where the present First Baptist Church is situated. Ground breaking started sometime later and on Thanksgiving Day November, 1968, the First Baptist Church of Georgetown held its first service in a partially finished church.
As the membership grew the church had the fastest growing Sunday School on the East Coast, with a top number of 565 attending. In 1970, First Baptist Church decided to start its own school with three students in preschool. Later, there were 324 students attending the whole school. School buses were used to transport the students to and from school. In 1983, the school dissolved and the students started attending other local schools.
The First Baptist Church started a Deaf Ministry in November 1972 and it continued until 1997.
Bearing Precious Seed. under the direction of Carlos Demarest, set up a printing operation at FBC in 1977. For a few years the booklet, "John & Romans," was printed and sent out for distribution.
In 1977 Rod and Carol Dufour, along with sons, Michael and Chris, moved to Georgetown to work in the Christian School. Rod also served a Assistant Pastor until 1979. Pastor Jewell resigned as pastor in the Fall of 1979 to serve full time with the Bearing Precious Seed Ministry. In November 1979 FBC voted Rod Dufour as pastor and he has served in the capacity to the present time.
Since 1977 Vacation Bible School has been a highlight of the year for the entire family. Each year an exciting theme has been implemented in reaching many for Christ.
First Baptist Church has increased in missionary involvement since 1980, and now supports about 20 missionaries throughout the world. Each March, we host a Missions Conference with our own missionaries returning when they are able. New works are also presented from other missionaries seeking further support.
Each October FBC has hosted an annual Ladies Seminar under the direction of Pat Hawtree. For the Past 9 years ladies from various churches from MD, VA and DE have been blessed.
The Lord has provided a bus and workers for the bus ministry which actively reaches many each week. Since 1994 transportation to church has been provided for children and adults.
On July 4, 1999 FBC dedicated the Spanish work, pastored by Pastor Paulino, which has successfully reached the growing Spanish population.
Through the years, the Lord has been faithful and has blessed despite many challenges and obstacles along the way.
II Chronicles 7:14
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
C= COMMITMENT TO CHRIST
H= HELPING OTHERS
U= UNITED IN CHRIST
R= RESTING IN GOD'S WORD
C= COMPASSION FOR SOULS
H= HUMBLING TOWARD GOD
