Organized as Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale in 1904, we are the oldest Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale.  Reverend B. F. Goodwin
of Lemon City, Florida along with eleven members,  Reverend Shelly, Brothers Jack Norris, Joe Robbins, C. S. Bryant, Joseph Lewis, John Bell and James Bynum; Sisters Monie Bryant, Mary Bell, Mary Bynum and Lucretia Jackson, established what would become one of the most prominent African-American churches in South Florida.

Sister Mary Bell named the church Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church.  It was located on the corner of Second Street and Brickell Avenue, under a bush arbor.

In 1911, we moved from the schoolhouse used to hold services to an edifice built on the corner of Second Street and Fourth Avenue under the pastorate of Reverend Thomas Allen.

Subsequent pastors included Reverends Welcome Baker, William Driver, A. H. Hamilton, W.W. Williams, J.T. McCord, J. H. Brown, T.M. Sapp and Dinkins.

During Reverend Stokes’ pastorate, one of many financial blessing came to fruition; we burned the mortgage of $551.  

In 1941, the Lord blessed us with the divine leadership of Rev. Robert. L. Holley.  During Rev. Holley’s tenure, we achieved great things; we purchased the church site at 1100 NW 4th Street and built the church at a cost of $90,000. We dedicated the church in March 1951 and burned the mortgage in 1954.  Credit goes to Rev. Holley, his devoted wife, Mrs. Susie C. Holley and members for building this beautiful edifice.  Failing in health, Rev. Holley resigned in December 1955.

With the loss of Rev. Holley, the flock was again in need of a Sheppard.  Rev. J.W. Toomer answered the call in 1956.  He initiated the 8:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship Service, it remains the most popular service to date.

In 1967, Rev. Cornelius Vanderbilt Ford became the pastor.  He elevated our status as a leader in various Baptist Associations.  In 1968, the Church was incorporated and became known as First Baptist Church Piney Grove, Incorporated. Rev. Ford served faithfully for twelve years until called to rest on June 21, 1979.

Rev. Samuel Collier, a visionary, took the reigns at First Baptist Church Piney Grove April 27, 1980.  We hired our first Minister of Music, the Celestial Choir was organized and we initiated the bus ministry to help senior citizens, our ‘Precious Gems’,  remain active in the community. With prayer and togetherness as the basis for Rev. Collier’s vision, there was evidence of growth in membership and emphasis on visiting the sick and shut-in.  Rev. Collier resigned June 1985.

With Rev. Collier’s resignation, we prayed and searched for a new Sheppard.  The Lord answered our prayers with the arrival of Rev. Alfred L. Pugh, February 1, 1987. Rev. Pugh, a man of God with a keen spiritual and entrepreneurial intellect provided a substantive vision for Piney Grove, allowing us to realize numerous accomplishments during his tenure. We adopted a medical clinic in Bourg Champagne, Haiti. Rev. Pugh established a church-wide plan for Christian stewardship that formed the foundation for financial growth and stability.   We laid the groundwork and made significant accomplishments toward building our new edifice. We hired our first Minister of Christian Education and Youth, Rev. Rufus M. Mosby, a son of Piney Grove affectionately known as Rev. Mike. Rev. Mike prepared our souls to receive the word before each sermon with his signature song, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it. If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.” In October 1994, Rev. Pugh retired after seven years of service.

In November 1995, called to serve was Rev. Joseph Roberts.  He established Piney Grove Human Services Corporation and hired our first full-time Assistant Pastor, Reverend Robert Perry.  We also purchased 6.5 acres of land for a new church at 4699 West Oakland Park Boulevard.  On April 9, 2005, Rev. Roberts led a motorcade from behind the helms of his Harley from the NW 4th Street church site to our new church in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida. After twelve years of service, Rev. Roberts retired December 31, 2008.

First Baptist Church Piney Grove is the oldest Baptist church in Fort Lauderdale. In 2004, the City of Fort Lauderdale and the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society designated the site of our original church near the corner of Northwest Fourth Avenue and Second Street a historic landmark.

The landmark tree that provided the inspiration for our name, Piney Grove, withstood the elements for 101 years.
 In October 2005, Hurricane Wilma destroyed the old tree but her legacy lives.

Today, we continue to “Walk by faith, not by sight”.