History:

In 1953, work began on a Mission Church in the Western section of the City of Quincy. Mr. C. W. Thomas purchased the old Gadsden County hospital property and gave it to First Baptist Church for a Mission. The frame section was bricked to match the brick section, and a Sanctuary was built joining the building together at a cost of $71,000 with a seating capacity of 450. Work progressed rapidly, and at the end of the year, a beautiful church and educational building was ready to begin services.

January 3, 1954 at 11:00 – the first service was held with Mr. Blucher Blair presiding. Dr. Willis Howard was introduced as the guest speaker. His message was entitled “What Shall the New Year Bring?” At this service, forty-three people signed cards signifying their desire to become a member.

January 10, 1954 – a Sunday School was organized with seventy-six taking part. Because of the unusually advantaged beginning and phenomenal growth, the Mission was constituted into a Church on the 31st day of January, 1954, at a special ceremony at 3:00 pm. Eighty names were read to become members of this new Church. Thus, the mission became a new Church known as The Thomas Memorial Baptist Church of Quincy. So named for Mr. C. W. Thomas because of the generosity and work of both Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Thomas. There were one hundred and four Charter Members. Dr. Willis Howard was called as the first pastor of Thomas Memorial Baptist Church and served until June of 1954.

Today, 70 years later the members of Thomas Memorial Baptist Church look behind as a way of seeing the distance they have come since 1954 and they look ahead to all the ways God is leading them to reach out to and serve this community.