Jefferson Park Baptist Church began as the Fry’s Spring Baptist Mission of First Baptist Church of Charlottesville, VA in 1960. First Baptist sent a letter on April 20, 1960 inviting over 300 members living in or around the Fry’s Spring neighborhood to consider participating in a new church plant. On June 12, the Fry’s Spring Baptist Mission Sunday School met for the first time at Johnson Elementary School, and the first worship service was conducted on July 17. A plot of land was purchased on Jefferson Park Avenue on September 29, 1961, and the church formally constituted as Jefferson Park Baptist Church on October 1, 1962 with 170 charter members.

Since that time, the church has had five pastors, and a handful of its charter members still remain to this day. Our current pastor, Keith Goad, arrived on October 29, 2010. In 2012, the church voted to adopt our current constitution, which introduced changes including an elder-led model of leadership. We thank God for his preserving grace and look forward to how he may use this church for his glory in years to come.

First meeting of the Fry’s Spring Baptist Mission Sunday School, on July 12, 1960.

First meeting of the Fry’s Spring Baptist Mission Sunday School, on July 12, 1960.

A newspaper clipping from June 12, 1963 showing the church building under construction, about a month before completion.

A newspaper clipping from June 12, 1963 showing the church building under construction, about a month before completion.