What to Expect When You Visit First Baptist
Never been to First Baptist before?
Here are answers to the questions we hear most often. If something isn't covered here, we'd love to hear from you — just reach out through the contact page.
YOUR FIRST SUNDAY
What's a typical worship service like?
Sunday worship begins at 11:00 am and is participatory — with congregational readings, prayers for each other and the world, and a sermon from one of our pastors. We sing a variety of old hymns and newer songs, accompanied by pipe organ, piano, and choir. We celebrate Communion on the first Sunday of each month and practice open table Communion, which simply means that all are welcome to partake.
Where is the church entrance?
The sanctuary entrance is on 16th Street, near the intersection with O Street NW, next to the Australian Embassy. You can also enter through the parking garage or street entrance on O Street.
Is there parking?
Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood on Sundays. The church parking garage on O Street is also available for Sunday morning use. You can find directions to our parking garage here. If you have questions about parking or accessibility, feel free to contact us before your visit.
What should I wear?
Whatever makes you feel most like yourself. On Sundays you'll see suits, shorts, bowties, Birkenstocks, heels, jeans, and more. It's all good.
Is FBC accessible to people who are differently abled?
Yes. The main entrance at 16th and O Streets is accessible to wheelchairs, and two elevators provide easy access to all meeting rooms, renovated restrooms, and Fellowship Hall. If you have specific accessibility needs, please reach out ahead of your visit and we will do our best to make sure you are well cared for.
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
What do you have for my children?
We have dedicated programming for children from infancy through fifth grade. All activities begin at 10:00 am — an hour before worship. Every age group is staffed by trained, caring professionals and meets in our children's wing, which is just steps from the sanctuary.
Ages 0 – 2
Nursery
Professional infant and toddler care, open at 10:00 am and available through the close of worship.
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Ages 3 – 5
Preschool & Early Childhood
Faith formation using the Big Faith curriculum, open at 10:00 am and available through worship.
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K – Grade 5
Children's Ministry
Faith formation at 10:00 am, followed by Children's Worship or all-church worship with age-appropriate worship bags at 11:00 am.
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On Sundays when children are with the full congregation for worship, they receive a worship bag with age-appropriate activities. On other Sundays, they have their own Children's Worship. Both are wonderful — and both are real worship.
Do I need to register my child in advance?
No registration is required for your first visit. Simply arrive a few minutes before 10:00 am and a staff member will welcome your child and walk you through our simple check-in process. If you have questions or would like to connect before you come, feel free to reach out to us in advance.
What options do you have for teenagers?
Similar to children, youth in grades six through twelve have programming that begins at 10:00 am in the youth room. Teenagers gather with each other and our Youth Crew (a team of young adult mentors) for food, fellowship, fun, lessons, and discussions that encourage teenagers to learn about God, the Bible, the church, themselves, and the world.
Grades 6 12
Youth Ministry
Faith formation at 10:00 am, followed by all-church worship at 11:00 am.
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FINDING YOUR COMMUNITY
Will I find people my age here?
Yes — and we mean that for a wide range of ages. First Baptist is genuinely intergenerational, which means on any given Sunday you will worship alongside people from their twenties to their nineties. That breadth is one of our greatest gifts.
That said, we also have dedicated communities for specific seasons of life. If you are a young adult navigating faith and life in the nation's capital, our community of twenty and thirty-somethings is one of the most vibrant parts of our congregation. If you are further along in adulthood, our Sunday morning small groups and midweek gatherings offer the kind of sustained, meaningful community that forms over years of showing up together.
Ages 18 – 35
Young Adults
Weekly gatherings, seasonal retreats, service projects, and the kind of honest conversation that makes DC feel less relentless.
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All ages
Adults
Sunday morning small groups and a midweek online gathering for adults at every stage of life and faith.
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What if I want to learn more or get more involved?
The best next step is usually a conversation. Whether you're drawn to our young adult community, a Sunday morning small group, youth ministry, or simply want to learn more about what First Baptist is about — we'd love to talk. You can reach out through our contact page, or browse the Get Involved section of our website to find the community that fits where you are.
How do I become a member?
Membership is for those who consider First Baptist their primary church home and are ready to enter into the covenant life of this congregation. There is no rush and no pressure — but when you're ready, we'd love to walk through it with you. Visit our Explore Membership page to learn more.
We're glad you're here.
First Baptist is a diverse community, bringing together people of many different backgrounds, ages, and interests. Some choose to be involved only on Sunday mornings; others participate in groups and ministries throughout the week. Whatever your desired level of involvement, we invite you to talk to members of our community, browse the pages of this website, subscribe to our weekly newsletter, and ask questions. We want you to feel at home.