Church History

In 1944, three young women who resided in the Crestwood area saw an urgent need for a church in their community.  Mrs. Inez Wright, Mrs. Lucille Hyman and Mrs. Ollie Britt discussed the possibility of starting a church.  The Rev. Spencer Terrell volunteered his assistance.

First Baptist Church Crestwood was organized on April 9, 1944, and the first worship service was held in the Crestwood Elementary School.  On July 10, 1944, First Baptist Church Crestwood was duly recognized at a special meeting at the Mount Zion Baptist Church, Berkeley.  Rev. A.L. Sparrow accepted the call to become the pastor.

During Rev. Sparrow’s pastorate, the foundation for the church building was laid.  On the first Sunday in March, 1946, the congregation choir, representatives of the Crestwood Civic League along with many friends marched to the new building at the corner of Gregg Street and Southern Branch Road.

Since the pastorate of Rev. Sparrow, the church has been blessed with many pastors who helped the church grow physically as well as spiritually.  Rev. Edward Morgan (1950 to 1956), Rev. Preston W. Jones (1956 to 1963), Rev. W.A. Green, a U.S. Marine, stationed in Portsmouth, VA, served as pastor for 10 months, Rev. James Fenner (1964 to 1972(, Rev. Roosevelt Harmon, Sr., (1974 to 1981), Rev. Theodore Little (1983 to 1984), Rev. James Williams (1986 to 1989).  From April 1989 to 1990 the Board of Deacons led the church.  Rev. Willie Samuel (1990 to 1997), from 1997 to 1999 the church was once again led by the Board of Deacons.

In February 1999, Dr. Anthony B. Rodgers, Sr., began his leadership at First Baptist Church Crestwood.  Since that time the church has grown and prospered.  His accomplishments include starting a radio ministry, live Sunday broadcast on Rejoice 100.9, as well as a weekly Youth Radio Ministry, a Widow’s Ministry, the Senior’s with Wisdom Noonday Prayer Hour, Adult Basketball Team, Coed Softball Team, Tutorial Ministry, Praise Dancer, 23rd Psalm Mime Ministry and Karate Classes.

An additional parking lot was purchased and paid for as well as 8.013 acres of land for the future site of the New First Baptist Church Crestwood.

Pastor Rodgers has ordained Deacons and Ministers.  More importantly, the Lord has added numerous souls to the New First Baptist Church Crestwood.

We are grateful to God for sending a spirit-filled visionary Pastor our way.  We pray that God will continue to bless Dr. Anthony B. Rodgers, Sr., and his family as he continues to lead NFBCC as our Father in Heaven leads him.

In April 2007, Pastor Anthony B. Rodgers, Sr. was elevated to Overseer of the Resurrection Kingdom Fellowship of Churches, under the covering of Bishop S. Todd Townsend, Sr., Senior Pastor of The Resurrection Center in Wilmington, Delaware.

In February 2008, Overseer Anthony B. Rodgers, Sr. was elevated to Bishop-designate of the Resurrection Kingdom Fellowship of Churches, under the covering of Presiding Prelate, Bishop S. Todd Townsend, Sr.