In 1886, Reverend Robert L. Ruffin, a graduate of Lincoln University and Wayland Theological Seminary answered the call to pastor First Baptist. It was during his pastorate that plans for the present structure were drawn. According to family records, the estimated cost of the building, not including labor, was $3,600.00 (Today, 2023, the value would be approximately $115,000). The construction of the building began in 1887 and was completed in 1890. With a membership of about 400, Rev. Ruffin and his congregation worked with resolve to meet the financial obligations of the church. It is recorded that this preacher brought to his ministry a “dignity and devotion” that inspired ten years (1896) of dedicated service. Though his salary was but $300 a year, he diligently gave $5 each month to the building fund.”
Under his auspice, as many as ninety-nine were baptized on one occasion and fifty-four at another. This father of twelve taught the first Bible class in the church and also served as principal in the area schools. Desiring to pay the mortgage on the building, he organized rallies twice a year, which tremendously pared down the mortgage note. Dorum, Tyler, Jordan, White, Dade, Hicks, Butler, Luckett, Marshall, Escridge, Lowell, Shelton, Lee, Walker, Brown, Powell, Yancy, and Smith are some of the familiar surnames who were noted to have “helped Reverend Ruffin with the church building.”
Recognizing the desire of the congregation for a change, Reverend Ruffin, after ten years of service, stepped aside to allow new leadership. He remained dedicated to First Baptist Church until his death in 1900. Some of his relatives are still members today (2023).
Succeeding Reverend Ruffin was Reverend D. W. (David) Jones, another graduate of Wayland Theological Seminary. He and his wife were active in the community, and although his pastorate was a short three years, he did much for paying the debt on the building, remained a member of the church, and was a teacher in the area until his death.
In January 1903, Reverend Jones was succeeded by Reverend J. I. (Julius) Loving, product of Wayland Seminary, who was a “great preacher.” Rev. Loving resigned after one month to pastor two churches—Shiloh and Mt. Olive—in Boston, Virginia and later in 1907, Enon Baptist Church on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Reverend N. A. (Nathaniel) Marriott, a “great church worker and an excellent preacher” was called to pastor. Under Reverend Marriott’s leadership, the youth of the church became very active, and much like his predecessors, he worked hard to pay down the debt incurred from the rebuilding. Reverend Marriott resigned in November 1904 to accept a position at the First Baptist Church in Steelton, Pennsylvania. Accounts of his resignation and installation are in History Uncovered.
In 1905, Reverend J. D. (Julius Deceminus) Ward, a graduate of Virginia Union University, became pastor. An outstanding preacher and musician, he served two and a half years. He was endeared to his congregation who refused his resignation but respected his wishes to accept another position. An interesting sidebar: It was Reverend Ward who performed the wedding ceremony for former pastor, David W. Jones.
Pastor I. M. (Isaac Moses) Champ succeeded Reverend Ward in 1907 and served until 1911. Under Reverend Champ’s leadership, membership continued to grow and the church made financial strides. This man of God resigned to pastor a church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Reverend Anthony Deans, a graduate of the Howard University School of Religion, took over the reins and served from 1911 to 1925. During his fourteen years of leadership, the church acquired a pipe organ, the first stained glass windows, modern electrical lighting, and a heating system; the long-standing debt on the church was paid in full.
From 1925 to 1927, Reverend J.R.C.
(Captain James Russell Calvin) Pinn, a graduate of Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C. and the Howard University School of Religion, was elected pastor. It was during his leadership that the furnace room and kitchen were built, and the hymn bulletin board was placed on the wall. His pastorate at First Baptist ended when he was called to Shiloh Baptist Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Reverend Dr. Pinn would go on to pursue his love of music as a concert pianist, composer, author, and music teacher. His love of learning culminated in degrees in law, religion, and psychology. Reverend Dr. Captain Russell would go on to pastor other churches both in the north and the south.
From 1927 to 1931, another Howard University graduate, Reverend Charles P. Harris, served as pastor. Many inactive members returned to the church, and new members were added. In 1931, Reverend Harris resigned to serve a larger congregation in Plainfield, New Jersey.
Reverend T. B. (Thomas Brockholdst) Livingston, another great preacher, scholar, and musician became the next pastor of FBC. Though he stayed only for several months, Reverend Livingston was noted and loved for his visits to the sick.
After a brief respite, in 1932, the church called the Reverend Henry J. Booker, still another graduate of the Howard University School of Religion, He was a quiet-mannered, deeply spirited leader who initiated the first church anniversary program. He organized the Baptist Young People’s Union and had outstanding Junior and Senior choirs. Reverend Booker resonated well with people of all ages and involved all in the work of the church. The church was distraught when this beloved pastor passed in 1942.
Mississippi native, Reverend Lavaughn Venchael Boothe, began his ministry at First Baptist and stayed only six months when he left to accept a position at a church in Illinois where he proved to be a man of renowned achievements.
Reverend James Kelly, a powerful preacher and teacher succeeded him, serving from 1944 to 1947. During his three and half years, the church purchased and completed payment on the parsonage located where the Family Life Center currently stands. Trustees Charles S. Madison, Milton White, Martin Brewer, and Thomas Franey oversaw the transactions and were named on the property deed. New electrical fixtures and a new heating system also were installed in the church, the church bulletin service and pledge card system were started, and the young People’s Choir was organized. Membership grew, and after his years of service, Reverend Kelly joined the staff of West Virginia State College.
In 1947, Reverend Edgar D. Bass, a graduate of the Washington Theological Seminary, was installed as pastor. A dedicated minister who married Beatrice Bass, a hometown lady, stayed with the church for five years until failing health forced him to resign. Under his leadership, the present stained-glass windows were purchased for approximately $5000, tile was placed in the lower auditorium, and a lighted bulletin board was installed outside near the front entrance of the church. A devoted pastor, Reverend Bass baptized a total of 108 members during his pastorate.
According to Church Clerk, Sister Clarissa Ruffin, Reverend Robert M. Pugh, pastor from 1955 to 1961, “lived up to every word said of him and more.” He was responsible for redecorating and carpeting the church and improving the light fixtures. When Reverend Pugh resigned in 1961 to take a position in Washington, D. C. Reverend Randolph E. Haskins came to serve as supply pastor and later was selected as pastor of First Baptist in May of 1962.
A native of Washington, D.C. and graduate of the Washington Bible College and the Washington Baptist Seminary, this “gentle” man had a compassionate and patient spirit. He strongly believed in going into the by-ways of the community to reach the forlorn and spiritually deprived. He communicated well with the youth, was an active participant in Sunday school, supported youth activities, and organized the Youth Leaders Club. During his tenure, the religious fervency and membership grew to include more young people.
It was also during Reverend Haskin’s tenure that the first woman, Ms. Ann Nelson, was appointed to the official capacity of trustee. Names familiar to many in the current congregation were appointed to the Board of Deacons: Milton Franey, father of Penny; Maury Dade, Jr., father of Yvonne, Vivian, and Robert and husband to Deaconess Ann; Jack Corum; Lark Gaines, husband to the late Deaconess Elizabeth; William Lambert, and Wilson Jackson. In addition to the spiritual growth of the Church, Reverend Haskins initiated some of the first joint services with area white congregations. Several physical improvements were made during the years of Reverend Haskin’s pastorship at First Baptist—the renovation of the parsonage, the acquisition of an air conditioning system, an organ and a piano for the sanctuary, and the remodeling of the kitchen and lower auditorium. After fourteen years of unfaltering service, Reverend Haskins died on January 1, 1975, leaving a great void in both his congregation and the Warrenton community.
In June 1975, this void was filled by Reverend Joseph E. Penn, a scholarly man of dynamic leadership. He, too, won a place in the hearts of his congregation and the community. For eighteen years until his death, Reverend Penn became a man of notable accomplishments. He was an active member in the Warrenton Ministerial Association, saw the completion of a $90,000 renovation project of the church sanctuary and lower auditorium; purchased a new organ and the church’s first mini-bus; awarded Community Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets, and initiated an Annual Community Prayer Breakfast.
Under his leadership, the Church joyfully witnessed the burning of the Renovation Mortgage in December 1982, paying off a 25-year note in under six years! Being quite the visionary, he oversaw the building of a Family Life Center at a cost of $537,000, envisioning it to benefit both the Church and the Community. The center stands on the grounds once occupied by the beloved parsonage, which was torn down in 1989. The new Family Life Center was completed and dedicated on Sunday, November 25, 1990, to be a beacon light in the community. Reverend Penn died in 1994 after serving First Baptist for nineteen years.
Reverend Dr. Glenwood P. Roane was selected as the Interim Pastor following Reverend Penn’s death. He recruited and ordained several Deacons and Deaconesses and put his “attorney” skills to work, helping to develop the Church Constitution and By-Laws. During his interimship, he was responsible for the dedication and the official renaming of the Family Life Center to the Reverend Joseph E. Penn Family Life Center.
The period following Reverend Penn’s death resulted in the “election”—some would say, the “unofficial election” ---of a pastor who was never installed. 1996 to 1997 were tumultuous times of hurt and misunderstanding for the congregants and riffs even between members and families. There again was another split in the congregation with both “sides” believing they were doing the “right” thing. Totally relying on God found new and true meaning as members began to seek out truth and pray for guidance and direction. The chorus of the old hymn, “Where Should I Go but to the Lord” had a lodging place in the hearts of those seeking HIS wisdom:
In 1997, Reverend Hildrom Fisher, who attended First Baptist, was selected by the Deacon Board to serve as Supply Pastor, and Reverend David J. Carter, also a First Baptist member, volunteered his services to the congregation. Both filled the pulpit to carry out Sunday morning services and taught weekly Bible study.
A sought-after speaker, and a man of many firsts, Major General, Chief of Chaplains for the United States Army Matthew A. Zimmerman, Jr. was invited on several occasions to preach at First Baptist while First Baptist was without a pastor. He was a powerful orator who delivered stirring messages of hope and forgiveness that fell on the congregants’ ears during such a difficult time. The church soon realized that he may be the answer to prayer—a man who could possibly help bridge and heal the divide felt by the members. And so, it was. Reverend Zimmerman was elected pastor in April 1998 and was installed in April 1999 The healing began, and many of the members who left began to return to the church.
Under his leadership, First Baptist became an army of warriors who believe in the power of prayer. There were more joint ecumenical services, outreach projects, community prayer breakfasts and prayer walks—opportunities to serve our community and to create bonds and stronger ties. The church worshipped annually with Warrenton Baptist and participated in the In As Much ministry which focused on helping the elderly and disabled with various projects. First Baptist and Saint James Episcopal bonded to form Common Threads, a ministry focusing on honoring our different faith traditions and celebrating our commonalities while exploring the roots and effects of racism on society.
Interestingly, both Warrenton Baptist and Saint James Episcopal are a part of our history, too. Slaves worshipped in the balconies of Warrenton Baptist before the turn of the Civil War; Leland led the “ex slaves” to the building on Alexandria Pike that once housed Saint James Episcopal church.
During the Zimmerman era, the mantra became, “Show me the Word!” Few would enter the doors without proudly carrying their Bibles. Every Sunday Pastor Zimmerman would remind the congregation, “The Spirit of the Lord goes before you to make your way easy and successful,” and that “God is good all the time!”
It was also during Reverend Z’s pastorship that a serious leak in the baptismal pool led to a major restoration project with a price tag of $550,000; Associate Pastor Reverend Vinicent Holland took the lead on the project which resulted in well-needed upgrades—making the building more energy efficient and accessible to all.
Reverend Zimmerman will be one to leave his mark, not only on the membership, but also on those in the community and those who visited, as well. His thought-provoking messages sparked self-reflection and left others with a weekly dose of food-for-thought. He was well-loved, smart, and witty—a man who gave his church family permission to be fun-loving Christians. He taught the congregation that while tradition is good, change is okay, too. Rev. Z surely will be remembered as one who could laugh at himself and admit mistakes; he set the example for the members not to take themselves too seriously!
After twenty-one years of service, just prior to the onset of the COVID pandemic, the longest reigning pastor to date, Reverend Matthew Augustus Zimmerman, Jr. decided to retire.
Who Will the Lord Send? Who Will Answer the Call?
After over two years of fervent prayer, congregation involvement, virtual meetings, and interviews, God sent the next under-shepherd to pastor the First Baptist flock. The Reverend Dr. Dwayne E. brown answered the call,
“Here I am. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8. On Sunday, April 3, 2022, he delivered his initial sermon: Turn the Page, and the church began a new chapter in history.
