About First Baptist Church, Berkley

First Baptist Church, Berkley – Extensive Church History

Founding & Early Beginnings

In the wake of the Civil War, a group of newly freed African Americans in the Berkley area of Norfolk gathered for worship in an abandoned Union Army tent. Under the leadership of Rev. Samuel S. Jones, they organized formally in 1868 as Cedar Grove Baptist Church. Their first building stood at Montaland and Chestnut Streets, where they held services, built a thriving congregation, and laid the foundation for what would become First Baptist Church, Berkley.

Founding Members

Isaac & Louisa Archer; Fannie Bonney; Matilda & Richard Braxton; Hilary & Nancy Cason; Sallie Clark; Mary & William Corbin; William Finchett; Armistead & Frances Green; Sarah Hatton; Lovey & Nathaniel Holmes; Rev. Samuel S. Jones; Joshua Lewis; Samuel Linnette; Martha Moore; Julia Moton; Catherine & Charles Newton; James Newton; Charles & Maria Press; Elizabeth Randall; Martin & Victoria Wilson; Reuben Wright.

The Pastors Who Shaped The Culture

• Rev. Samuel S. Jones
• Rev. Richard Wright
• Rev. Madison Lewis
• Rev. H. L. Barco
• Rev. Sutton E. Griggs
• Rev. J. H. Randolph
• Rev. W. R. Slade
• Rev. Lafayette Sharpe
• Rev. A. O. Bell (1914–1919): Cleared crushing debt and organized the first female ushers (1918).
• Rev. John Carter Diamond (1920–1956)
• Rev. Noel C. Taylor (1957–1961): Emphasized youth (revived Youth Choir, Youth Ushers) and established the first Deaconess Board. He later became a prominent civic leader and mayor in Roanoke.
• Rev. William D. Tyree, Jr. (1962–1994): “Kingdom Building” pastor who launched FiBaChu, a federally supported tutoring/counseling program for potential Norfolk Public Schools dropouts 
• Rev. William D. Tyree, III (1996–present)

Major Moves, A Fire, & A New Name

• 1865-1868: Thirty Southside members of Bank Street Baptist started prayer meetings in an abandoned Union Army tent, then organized on April 15, 1868, as Cedar Grove Baptist Church in an old plantation house.
• 1873-1883: First permanent home. Under Rev. Richard Wright, the church purchased land at Montaland & Chestnut and built its first sanctuary. The name became First Baptist Montaland; the congregation still has the original cornerstone engraved “Cedar Grove 1883.” 
• 1907-1910: Rapid growth led to purchasing a new site at Berkley Ave. & Culpepper St. While the new building was going up, the Montaland church burned in 1908; services moved to the Masonic Hall until the new sanctuary was dedicated Nov. 10, 1910, as First Baptist Church, Berkley.
• 1930s: Soup kitchen & bread line served unemployed during the Great Depression. It was among the first in the area.
• 1939: Nursery school (later kindergarten) opens to support working mothers.
• 1960s–1980s: New-member, Bible doctrine, evangelism classes
• Mid-1970s–1986: Educational building constructed (1977); new sanctuary opened June 22, 1986. This marked a modern expansion of discipleship and worship space.
• 1996-Present: Under Pastor William D. Tyree III — outreach programs (NEST shelter nights, Berkley Reunion park ministry, Hope for Hampton Roads at Harbor Park), international mission trips (Jamaica, Kenya), disaster response, and extensive renovations including admin offices & sanctuary updates in 2010. The 2010 master renovation re-planned circulation, added elevators/ADA-accessible restrooms, new administrative spaces & classrooms, and refreshed the worship center—work documented by the project architects.

Timeline At A Glance

• 1868 Cedar Grove Baptist organized
• 1883 “Cedar Grove” cornerstone set at Montaland site
• 1910 New building dedicated as First Baptist Church, Berkley
• 1977 Educational building completed
• 1986 New sanctuary opened
• 1996 Rev. W. D. Tyree III installed as 13th pastor
• 2010 Major campus renovation and reconfiguration 

Looking Ahead

Rooted in a rich legacy of faith, service, and resilience, First Baptist Church Berkley now stands poised to write its next chapter. As our neighborhood evolves and new generations rise, we remain committed to the Great Commission — reaching souls, nurturing families, and transforming our community. We look forward to building on more than 150 years of worship and service by expanding ministries, deepening discipleship, and embracing fresh opportunities to shine Christ’s light in Berkley, Norfolk, and beyond.

submitted by: 

• Millicent Clark and Blanche Duggins (4th generation relatives of the founder)
• Pastor Joseph E. Johnson IV