How it all started...
In 1909, Clarendon was not even a village. The total population of the county was 10,000 when the First Baptist Church of Clarendon was constituted. Thanks to the Lord's blessing and many dedicated church members throughout the generations, the Church remained a beacon in the heart of Arlington, Virginia.
In the 2000s, the church building underwent a radical transformation. Our aging sanctuary, dating back to 1950, was torn down. The church was rebuilt and completed in 2012 as a multi-use building with eight stories of apartments on top of the church sanctuary, a welcome hall, offices, and classrooms. As part of our commitment to our community, 60 percent of the units are designated as affordable housing for low-income tenants. The church steeple remains in place, a beacon that shows the building is a place of worship.
In 2012 we established our third renovated building at the same site, with the mission of spreading Hope, Faith, and Love. This new building development consists of eight stories of apartment homes atop the Church’s original two stories. The Church also houses the Child Development Center and Leland Seminary in its education building. The apartment community consists of affordable apartment homes and is registered with the US Green Building Council as a LEED certified building.
In the 2000s, the church building underwent a radical transformation. Our aging sanctuary, dating back to 1950, was torn down. The church was rebuilt and completed in 2012 as a multi-use building with eight stories of apartments on top of the church sanctuary, a welcome hall, offices, and classrooms. As part of our commitment to our community, 60 percent of the units are designated as affordable housing for low-income tenants. The church steeple remains in place, a beacon that shows the building is a place of worship.
In 2012 we established our third renovated building at the same site, with the mission of spreading Hope, Faith, and Love. This new building development consists of eight stories of apartment homes atop the Church’s original two stories. The Church also houses the Child Development Center and Leland Seminary in its education building. The apartment community consists of affordable apartment homes and is registered with the US Green Building Council as a LEED certified building.
Expanding the vision...
Church members and attendees describe our church as a down-to-earth and welcoming place that“feels like home.” The church averages 115 attendees at our weekly worship services at 11 a.m. onSundays. A small portion of the congregation are short-term residents, with some living in the area foronly a few months or weeks. A larger portion of the congregation grew up outside the Washington, D.C.metro area, and often find themselves moving away after several years. The church location lends itselfto many new visitors every Sunday morning.
Where we are headed...
The church has many denominational and community connections. The church is part of the NorthStar church network, as well as the Baptist General Association of Virginia. We also work with the Baptist World Alliance, whose headquarters are nearby. The John Leland Center for Theological Studies is located on church grounds, as is the First Baptist Church of Clarendon Child Development Center, the largest child care center in Arlington County. The deacons maintain a benevolence fund to help members of the congregation in need and contribute monthly to various community groups.
