First Baptist Church Morrison Church History – 1882-2003 Being fully aware of the need of establishing their own place to worship, a small band of concerned Christians assembled together in the Morrison section of the County of Warwick at a little red schoolhouse, near a railroad junction called Oak Grove – in the vicinity of where Warwick High School now stands. It was July 1, 1882. This church grew out of the Queen Street Baptist Church in Hampton, Virginia. Feeling the pressing need of a spiritual leader, they selected the Rev. John Corbin as the first pastor. Rev. Corbin organized and set apart every officer and auxiliaryof the infant church. The Church, being established in the neighborhood of its members, grew and the hand of the Lord was upon them. The Rev. John Corbin was a man of vision, and he had a group of God-fearing officers working with him. The infant church needed a home that they could dedicate and consecrate to the work of the Lord. Their hearts were full of praise; their minds were full of work; their desires were to find a place, buy it build it and call it their own. So the group purchased a piece of land a short distance from the little shoolhouse, and the name of the junction changed to Morrison. Time passed on and the church grew under the leadership of Rev. Corbin. Before his passing, he asked the body to elect the Rev. Dr. J.M. Bray to preach in his stead. After Rev. Corbin expired, the body elected Rev. Dr. J.M. Bray to be their second pastor. The name of the church changed from Oak Grove Baptist Church to the First Baptist Church Morrison. The Rev. Dr. J.M. Bray resigned after sixteen years of growth and fellowship. The Rev. W.M. Brown was called to pastor the church at Morrison. His pastoral work also caused the church to grow. He resigned after a period of eleven years. Again, the Rev. Dr. J.M. Bray was called to pastor the flock at Morrison. During his second term the trustees of the Mariners Museum purchased the property at East Morrison, and the building was relocated to 12365 Warwick Boulevard. Rev. Bray continued to be faithful and served for sixteen more years. He resigned in 1947 after age and health problems caused him to weaken. He served for a total of thirty-two years and contributed much to Morrison. The church then called the Rev. Joseph H. Brown in 1949. Under his dynamic leadership, the body finished the work of renovation it had started during Rev. Bray’s administration. The Rev. J.H. Brown served for four years and the church continued to grow. He resigned in 1953, and the Rev. John Merritt was called to pastor. The Rev. W. F. Ivey was called to pastor in February 1959, and he served for eleven years. His administration brought forth a second renovation to the building. Rev. W. F. Ivey worked with zeal and his messages were inspirational and spiritually uplifting. He resigned in February 1970. The Church called the Rev. Marcellus Lee Harris, Jr. on April 18, 1971, as a Supply Pastor. He began serving June 1, 1971, was ordained July 6, 1971, and was installed in September 1971, as Pastor of Morrison. Rev. Harris is the seventh Pastor called to serve Morrison in 121 years. Our pastor is a well-qualified man of God, and is well loved by the members of Morrison. The Church that first met in the little schoolhouse down at Oak Grove with a small group of concerned Christians has grown to greater heights and deeper depths. Its value has increased both spiritually and materially. The preaching of the gospel by our present pastor has brought forth much fruit. In 1976, under the leadership of Pastor Harris, competent church officers and members, a dream that was long in the making became a reality. The edifice expanded and we are still growing. We are grateful to God for bringing us this far, and we are eternally grateful to all the saints of Morrison, both living and deceased, who have kept the bloodstained banner of Jesus waving high. New Wine in New Wineskins – The Ministry of First Baptist Church Morrison has provided its congregation and the community with a safe heaven for worship for over 120 years. The legacy of family and friends will be remembered as we embrace our “Promised Land” – our new worship center located at 12720 Patrick Henry Drive. Our new edifice of 23,000 square feet, four classrooms, a nursery, a choir room, a first aide room, a Board room, and administrative suite is indeed a blessing of God and no small feat for the men and women who contributed countless hours of development and negotiation to bring this quest to fruition. We are thankful for the blessings that have made this move possible, and we continue to anticipate with joy the blessings that God has yet in store for us as we work prayerfully toward the building of our new sanctuary. With God all things are possible! Praise Ye the Lord!