Immanuel Baptist Church 
(Baptism at Immanuel Baptist)
The history of Immanuel Baptist Church can be traced to 1885 when a missionary outpost for First Baptist Church was established that sought to bring the Baptist tradition to northern Richmond. A group of ministerial students led this initiative. The mission, which was named the Fourth Street Mission Chapel, was first located off of Fourth Street at the intersection of Jackson Street and Duval Street. The mission severed its formal relationship with the First Baptist Church in 1890 and became the Fourth Street Baptist Church. The new church then created missions not only to Richmond residents but also to residents of other countries that were thought to be particularly in need of spiritual and economic assistance. The first mission outside of the continental United States was established in July, 1890. By October, 1894, the church had grown so rapidly that the congregation moved to a new location on North Fifth Street and adopted its current name, Immanuel Baptist Church. The congregation decided to move from its North Fifth Street location in 1915 to a building at the corner of Pine Street and Grace Street. At this time the congregation voted to separate from the Association of American Baptist Churches and become an independent Baptist church so that it could select and support its own missions. The church moved again in 1958, this time to its current location on the corner of Monument and Thompson Avenues. In 1963 the church building was expanded to include north and south transepts (wings) of the church, and in 1983 an educational wing was built. This wing provided the church with essential space to include a fellowship hall, a renovated kitchen, various classrooms and additional staff offices.
Worship services for the church are held every Sunday morning and afternoon. Sunday school meets during the afternoon. On Wednesdays the church has Bible studies and Kids Clubs during the afternoon. Church membership is about 950, with weekly attendance averaging about 650. Members are mainly of Caucasian decent, but the number of Chinese and other Asian members is growing.
The church offers a number of programs for interested congregation members. These programs include parenting classes, young couple’s class, Mothers of Pre-schoolers Program (M.O.P.S.), counseling services, and student ministries. There young adults can talk, take classes and watch movies. The building is considered multipurpose and accommodates a wide range of needs for the church youth. The M.O.P.S. Program assists mothers in managing their lives and spiritual journeys while contending with the needs of their pre-school aged children.
The mission program of Immanuel Baptist Church, to spread its message throughout the world, remains the cornerstone of the church. There are over forty missions, with many located outside of the United States. Areas missionized include Albania, Brazil, Canada, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, China, Ghana, Honduras, India, Kenya, Netherlands, Paraguay, Russia, and South Africa. Immanuel’s missionary program is led by an associate pastor and a missions council. The missions are funded by the various missions programs and the core contributions of the church. The church devotes over forty percent of its operating budged to this cause. Other local missions provide spiritual guidance and direction to residents of detention and juvenile confinement centers, primarily within the Richmond metropolitan area.
Immanuel Baptist Church also supports a Chinese ministry by offering worship services on Friday evenings at the church. This program is for individuals who speak the Chinese language and want to participate in the way of the teachings of Immanuel Baptist Church . The church also offers translation and conversion classes in the mornings by appointment. This program is for individuals who speak the Chinese language and want to further their English linguistic skills. English conversation classes are divided into skill level and are free.
Immanuel Baptist Church
3601 Monument Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23230
(804)-355-8691
Sources:
Immanuel Baptist Church senior pastor
Immanuel Baptist Church secretary
Immanuel Baptist Church member
Immanuel Baptist Church website
MANATA website
Profile prepared by James Wilson
September, 2009
