We are a congregation that provides meals for those in need, shelter for women who are homeless, & a training center for newly arrived immigrants and refugees. We work in concert with organizations, providing support & affordable space for community minded endeavors. Join us in empowering Denver!
First Baptist Church has provided in-kind support to the Colorado Gerontological Society for more than 15 years to our holiday basket project. They have provided fee space, free parking, and staff support for hundreds of volunteers to come together to sort, assemble, and deliver holiday baskets to 200 older adults. Without their support, we would not be able to offer this service to low income older adults in the metro Denver area. The specific impact has been to enable The Society to deliver about $20,000 worth of food to low income older adults and to allow 100 volunteers who donate an average of 6 hours each valued at $9000 to support this project. The donation of space is approximately $10,000. The annual donations of food, volunteer time, and space is about $49,000 per year all made possible through the generosity of First Baptist Church.
Eileen Doherty, MS, Executive Director, Colorado Gerontological Society
Senior Answers and Services
Denver's first Safe Outdoor Space (SOS) is at First Baptist Church; consisting of 22 tents which provides temporary shelter for up to 30 women and transgender people. Safe Outdoor Spaces are healthy, secure, staffed, resource and service-rich environments that prioritize people experiencing homelessness who are not accessing existing services or resources. These dedicated sites include the following resources and services: Bathrooms, Hand Sinks, Meals, Drinking Water, Outreach Services, Housing Referrals, Benefit Navigation, and Laundry/Showers. The Denver neighborhoods we all share, as well as our neighbors experiencing homelessness, all benefit when we provide a safe, compassionate, inclusive, and COVID-compliant alternative to unsanctioned camping and conventional shelters.
Kelsey Corbran, EarthLinks Inc., Fundraising and Development VISTA
First Baptist Church of Denver is a hub for life happening on Capitol Hill. They are gracious with the use of their space to host office space for vital nonprofits serving Denver and the State of Colorado. They regularly host functions aimed at building a more just and equitable society. And they embody that same justice and equity in the ministry they engage in. Denver is lucky to have such an institution willing to open its doors and hearts to the community.
Rev. Brian Rossbert
Development Director, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado
First Baptist Church of Denver is an Intentional Community.
We believe that community is God's design for human relationships, a place where people know your fears, failures, and dreams, but love you anyway. In our increasingly fragmented and lonely world, community is God's tool for life transformation. A community of faith is life-changing and healing. It's in these sacred relationships and honest, loving communities that God transforms us.
First Baptist Church of Denver is a Bridge Building Community.
Our core values are sometimes considered unique in that we desire to bring together the mainstream Christian church with those that have been rejected, outcast and written off. We value togetherness, unity, and healing wounded hearts.
First Baptist Church of Denver is a Welcoming Community.
We realize that everyone is at a different place in his or her spiritual journey. God has not called us to judge others, but to accept them and welcome them. Jesus modeled this during his earthly ministry. We believe that life is lived best when experienced together, learning, growing, celebrating, and spending time with one another, and that widening our circle to include everyone is an important core value.
First Baptist Church of Denver is a Grace Community.
We believe that the emphasis of the Divine is one of love towards us as humans. We believe that grace -- unfailing, life-changing love -- is the most empowering element of our faith. We avoid legalism and remind people of Jesus' unconditional love.
First Baptist Church of Denver is a Healing And Healthy Community.
We believe that our respect for one another is paramount to our success as a faith community. We are to be a hospital for hurting and wounded people who are loved, nurtured and encouraged by an accepting, non-judgmental community.
First Baptist Church of Denver is a Mosaic Of People.
Since community is about grace, labels are not part of our paradigm. At First Baptist Church of Denver, we have tied ourselves to the story of the Divine found in Jesus, but we gladly welcome anybody among us regardless of creed, race, sexual orientation, or any other division that we humans like to divide ourselves into. We do this because we believe that this story is the most beautiful story possible, and that Jesus' message of love is bigger than our petty human divisions. You will find a diverse community here that values each others' differences as strengths.
First Baptist Church of Denver is founded upon Relationships.
Relationships are the most important asset that any faith community can nurture. Because they have an eternal dimension, relationships with others are infinitely more valuable than programs and materials. Relationships should always take precedence over busyness, numbers, and noise.
First Baptist Church of Denver is committed to Jesus' Ethic Of Love.
Sacred texts of our Judeo-Christian heritage, as well as sacred texts from other traditions can lead us in the way of love. So, we are committed to loving all people, and model that at First Baptist Church of Denver regardless of where people are on their life journey. We do not insist upon an exact theological, political or social stance in our members other than being true in our following of the teachings of Jesus.
First Baptist Church of Denver is committed to Authenticity.
Striving always to be authentic Christians, we are willing to be open about our strengths and weaknesses. In life, we recognize that real people experience real problems, and, as authentic human beings, we strive to embrace each other and provide love and acceptance rather than judgment.
First Baptist Church of Denver believes Every Person Has The Capacity To Serve.
We practice the truth that everyone is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place to serve whether its within the organization of our church or within her or his own communities of influence.
Our church is open to everyone. Our "small, but mighty" congregation has an outreach that is seldom matched by churches many times our size. First Baptist Church of Denver is an eclectic congregation. Friends and members are a cross-section of society, cultures, races,education and beliefs. Many of our congregation travel to services and events from throughout the metropolitan area.
First Baptist Church of Denver was organized prior to Colorado's statehood and during the American Civil War era on May 2, 1864, and is the oldest Baptist congregation in Denver and Colorado.
The present building was constructed in 1934 through 1936. Our "architecturally
significant" building has been recognized as a Denver Historic Landmark It was
constructed in the "Christopher Wren" style, found mostly on the East Coast and in
England. The solid granite columns at the front of the building are so large, they were
turned on a lathe in the middle of 14th Avenue during construction of the building.
Elegant granite and marble stonework in the narthex of the building near the front
columns are noteworthy.
Distinguished guest speakers and soloists include President Warren G. Harding, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mr. George Beverly Shea, The Reverend Jesse Jackson, and The Honorable Federico Pena.
Organization name
First Baptist Church of Denver
other names
FBCD
1864
Tax id (EIN)
84-0404928
Category
Community Improvement & Capacity Building
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
1373 Grant St.Headquarters
1373 Grant St.Denver County, CO, US