First Baptist Church of College Park - College Park, Maryland - Baptist Churches on Waymarking.com

The First Baptist Church of College Park, located at 5018 Lakeland Road in the historic Lakeland community of College Park, Maryland, was established in 1891 as the First Baptist Church of Lakeland. It is one of the oldest African American congregations in Prince George’s County. Situated near the University of Maryland and just off Baltimore Avenue, the church serves a congregation of about 150 members and remains deeply rooted in its original neighborhood.

The church began with informal prayer meetings in 1890, held in the homes of local Black families in Lakeland. The group formally organized as a Baptist congregation in 1891. Under the long leadership of Rev. Milton A. Covington, who served for nearly 47 years, the congregation grew steadily. In 1959, the original building was demolished, and the members worshipped in nearby Lakeland Hall until a new building was completed in 1962. This structure, which still stands today, was built with significant labor from Rev. Covington himself, a skilled mason, alongside dedicated church members.

Lakeland, the church’s home community, was established around 1890 as a Black settlement adjacent to the then Maryland Agricultural College. By the early 20th century, the community included churches, schools, and homes. In later decades, Lakeland was heavily impacted by urban renewal programs, which destroyed many residences and disrupted the neighborhood fabric. Despite these challenges, First Baptist Church remained a fixture and source of stability for residents.

In 1994, Rev. Stephen L. Wright, Sr. joined as Assistant Pastor and later became Senior Pastor in 1998. Under his leadership, the church restructured its ministries, placing greater emphasis on youth, outreach, music, and women’s leadership. Notable milestones include licensing the church’s first female preachers and ordaining its first female ministers in 2015. Pastor Wright also led initiatives such as establishing a food pantry, supporting homeless women and children, and affiliating with foreign mission efforts.

The church’s music program was reorganized in the early 2000s, and in 2006 the congregation purchased an annex across the street, which was dedicated the following year and fully paid off by 2008. Today, First Baptist Church of College Park remains a vital presence in the Lakeland community, committed to worship, service, and faith-centered living, continuing a legacy of more than 130 years.

Date Built: 01/01/1962 Age of Church building determined by?: Church website Website: [Web Link] Church Address: 5018 Lakeland Rd College Park, MD United States 20740 Service Times: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   07/19/2025 Cacher_Alec visited it