The Knobbscreek Church, the forerunner of the First Baptist Church of Elizabeth City, was organized in 1786 along Knobbs Creek, a large navigable creek that enters the Pasquotank River just north of the narrows; the site of the church was supposedly in the vicinity of the present US 17 bridge.  The congregation of Knobbscrook Baptist Church became Elizabeth City’s first formally organized church when it relocated to their present West Main Street site in 1805-1806.  The name was changed to Elizabeth City Baptist Church in 1815, enjoyed considerable growth, and erected a new structure in 1847; it was replaced in 1889 by the structure that is still used by the congregation.  In 1866, Elizabeth City Baptist Church was renamed First Baptist Church of Elizabeth City.  First Baptist has had the privilege of launching several daughter churches in the Elizabeth City area, including Olive Branch Missionary Baptist and Blackwell Memorial Baptist.

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A detailed history of FBC from its beginnings through 1961 was written by A.H Outlaw, a former minister of First Baptist Church.  If you would like to read about our history, you can access A.H. Outlaw’s book:  History (of) First Baptist Church Elizabeth City 1786-1961.  In addition, there is a History Room at First Baptist Church that has archived past bulletins, baptism and membership records, conference minutes, and much more.  If you are interested in spending some time in our History Room, please contact us.