History

In May 1974, under the leadership of Rev. Holland, Thomasville Road Baptist Church voted to establish a branch Sunday School at Bradfordville to be known as the Bradfordville Chapel. In April, the Missions Committee surveyed the Bradfordville community and felt this was a good area. Sunday School began in June 1974, with approximately 15 members.

By 1977, the Branch Sunday School had grown to a full-fledged mission. A proposal to purchase a 5 acre site at 6494 Thomasville Road was presented to TRBC, approved, and finalized in October, 1977. Down payment on the land was paid through a building fund that had been established by the mission’s first pastor, Rev. Morris Roe, and the remainder was financed with a $10,000 grant from the Florida Baptist Convention Church Site Committee.

Ground was broken on May 23, 1980 for a historically significant chapel building donated by the Horseshoe Plantation. This chapel is now named the Betty Fuller Chapel. The building was moved from the Horseshoe Plantation to 6494 Thomasville Road . This old church building was probably built in the early 1900’s. A local architect was engaged to design the renovation fro the chapel and the building was dedicated on October 19, 1980 .

At the July 8, 1981 business meeting at TRBC, a recommendation was made that members be elected to serve on the Pulpit committee to seek the first full time pastor for the Bradfordville Chapel. On June 27, 1982 , Rev. Ron Leggett became the first full time pastor followed by Arnold Medina who served as pastor from 1984- 1991. On February 10, 1985 , the Bradfordville Chapel was constituted as Bradfordville Baptist Church .

In early 1992, Rev. Don Long came to Bradfordville as pastor. The little white chapel as it became known began to grow in it’s membership. In 1994 a master plan was developed for the expansion of the facilities. In January 1995, Rev. Don Long submitted his resignation.

In March of 1995, Dr. Robert McMillan agreed to become the Interim Pastor. By September he had agreed to give the church a two year commitment to be Pastor. Dr. McMillan soon formed a Building Committee, which built a new 275 seat Sanctuary in 1997.

On May 11, 1999 the church’s name was officially changed to Bradfordville First Baptist Church . Dr. McMillan retired in June 2002 and on July 8, 2002 , Dr. Mark O. Wilbanks received the call as Senior pastor, coming to Bradfordville First Baptist from Southside Baptist Church in Jacksonville .

Over the next several years the church experienced tremendous growth both in it’s membership and it’s ministries to the community. The membership was worshipping in four services and two Sunday school times each Sunday. Due to this growth 20 acres of land to the north of the present property was purchased on January 13, 2004 . Construction began on a 1300 seat Sanctuary in November 2004 and was completed on July 2, 2006 . In addition to the Sanctuary a three floor Education building was also built to house Sunday school and various community ministries. The Education building construction began in October 2005 and was completed in January 2007. Since 2002 we have added several new staff members and numerous ministries to the community. Bradfordville continues to grow through its partnerships with the community here in Tallahassee and around the world.