First View Baptist Church
757-587-6277
About First View Baptist Church
We were formerly known as Merrimack Park Memorial Baptist Church. On May 25, 1959 the property was purchased at 9124 First View Street, paid in full on November 10, 1982, followed by a “burning of the debt” service. Some time during that the name was changed to First View Baptist Church.
During that time the fellowship hall was constructed and later expanded to the size it is today. Air conditioning was added in the 1970’s to the sanctuary. Padded seats, carpeting, paneling, window upgrades and a sign were added through member donations over the years.
In 1998 the First Samoan Christian Church was founded and asked if they could hold their services here. We share the building with them on Sundays. Their service follows our morning worship service on the last Sunday of the month.
We are a self sustaining Southern Baptist Church, and are affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Baptist General Association of Virginia, and the Bridge Network of Churches.
We average 28 members on the first Sunday and 11 on the others.
To learn more about us
CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, and by the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We do now, in the presence of God, angels, and these assemblies most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another and with Jesus Christ so that we will work together as one body in Christ.
We will by the aid of the Holy Spirit, walk together in Christian love, and strive for the advancement of this church, in holiness, knowledge, and comfort, and promote its prosperity and spirituality, and carry on its worship, ordinances, disciplines and doctrines, and contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry in the church, expenses of the church, missions to help the less fortunate people in and outside the church, other missions outside the church for the spreading of the Gospel in Norfolk, Tidewater Area, Virginia, United States of America, North America, and to the uttermost parts of the earth as Christ commanded us to do.
We will also participate in family and private devotions, religiously educate our children, seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances, walk circumspectly in the world, be just in our dealings; faithful in our engagements, be commendable in our demeanor/behavior, avoiding all tattling, backbiting, excessive anger, abstaining from the use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.
We will accept all people as members of this church, the Body of Christ, on the basis of their belief in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour; all members will follow the guidelines in this constitution and by-laws, and will live by the morals and guidelines which are outlined in the Scriptures. We will not discriminate against anyone who is trying to get to know the Lord Jesus Christ and recognize that they desire to turn their lives and lifestyle over to Him and live for Him. We believe in the Biblical definition of marriage as one man and one woman.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, remember each other in prayer, aid each other in sickness and distress, and develop Christian sympathy in feeling, being courteous in speech, being slow to take offense, always being ready to make reconciliation and being mindful of the rules of our Savior as outlined in the Scriptures.
We moreover engage that when we transfer from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with another church of like faith and order, where we can carry out the Great Commission and grow closer to God in our daily lives.
