Five minutes west of uptown Charlotte, near where Interstates 77 and 85 meet, First Baptist Church-West stands on Oaklawn Avenue as the oldest Black Baptist congregation in the city. Its members carry a motto that has shaped more than a century and a half of life together: Making First Things First. For 157 years the doors have opened wide, and the welcome hinges still swing. The church that a small gathering began under an oak tree in 1867 has grown into a community of faith known for its scholarship ministry, its daily senior nutrition program, its stained glass sanctuary designed by the man who would become Charlotte's first Black mayor, and the steady pastoral voice of its twelfth senior minister, Dr. Ricky A. Woods.
From an Oak Tree to Oaklawn Avenue
The story of First Baptist Church-West begins in the shadow of slavery. Two years after the Civil War ended, a group of formerly enslaved people gathered under an oak tree on the grounds of the predominantly white First Baptist Church of Charlotte. The North Carolina Baptist State Convention had required segregated worship spaces, but those new freedmen and freedwomen refused to be herded into the balcony. Instead, they secured permission to form their own church. In June 1867, sixty-six members organized the First Baptist Church for Negroes, gathering at a hospital close to today's YMCA on Morehead Street.
By 1870 the congregation had purchased land at 1020 South Church Street, in Charlotte's Third Ward, near what is now Bank of America Stadium. Construction of a sanctuary began in 1901, and the building was formally dedicated in September 1911. For decades it served as a signature meeting place for Black community life. Dr. Woods has described the church in those years as the first place in the community where African Americans had freedom to assemble, to meet, to plan, and to plot their destiny.
In the early 1970s, under the banner of civic renewal, city leaders demolished many of the Black churches that had stood in uptown Charlotte. First Baptist-West was among them. The congregation purchased about three acres in northwest Charlotte at 1801 Oaklawn Avenue and began again. The church's present-day name grew out of that move: in the years after relocating, the word "West" was added to the name.
A Sanctuary with a Cathedral's Mystique
In 1974 the building committee began interviewing architecture firms. Among the candidates was a young firm called Gantt-Huberman, only three years in business and never before asked to design a church. Its principals, Harvey Gantt and Jeff Huberman, were up against established firms with more experience. Yet church leaders chose them. Gantt has recalled that the decision came down to his willingness to receive input from the members and the freshness of his ideas.
Gantt drew two concepts, one traditional in red brick with four columns across the front, and one contemporary with a sloping roof, tall stained glass windows, a brick steeple, and a descending sanctuary walkway. Church leaders chose the contemporary design, a risky move that has paid off. Construction was completed in 1977, and the sanctuary has hosted community events ever since. Tom Baldwin, who joined the church in 1973 and saw the building dedicated at its age of twenty-eight, remembers thinking it was very unusual, not of the traditional nature of churches he had known, but he liked the design.
Gantt, who went on to become Charlotte's first Black mayor, has called the sanctuary's design a modernist building that has lasted 50 years, a badge of honor. He has described its sloping aisles and tall stained-glass windows as giving the room the sacred quality of a cathedral, evoking a feeling of smallness before something bigger and more powerful than the self. That's always been my mantra in terms of the design of churches, Gantt has said. I don't think churches ought to look like theaters. The church later added a family life center, but the original sanctuary still anchors the campus.
In 2023 the African American Cultural Heritage Fund awarded First Baptist-West $150,000 as part of an effort to conserve Black modernist structures designed by Black architects. The grant will support the development of a plan for the upkeep of the original sanctuary. The church marked the occasion with a service honoring Gantt, who is now retired from architecture and in his eighties.
The Stained Glass That Tells the Story
First-time visitors often compliment the sanctuary's stained glass. The vivid colors are more than decoration; each of the twelve windows embodies a core principle of the Christian faith. The Archives Committee keeps the stories of the windows alive.
- Gethsemane: The cross rises from a cup, with rays emitting as a sign of that suffering.
- Christ's Baptism: The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove hovers above baptism waters, with a cross at the center.
- Nativity: The Star of Bethlehem shines down with rays over the manger, with the Greek letters Chi Rho marking the name of Christ.
- Prophecy of Isaiah: A burning coal signifies Israel's sins, and a scroll represents prophecy of the coming Messiah.
- Ten Commandments: Two tablets and a lightning bolt show God inscribing and giving the law to Moses.
- The Word: An open Bible with a cross in the background.
- Resurrection: A rising sun indicates a new day, with Christ's banner of victory over death in the tomb.
- Peter's Commission: A church sits on a rock, recalling Jesus' words in Matthew 16:18.
- Pentecost: The Holy Spirit as a dove with seven symbolic flames.
- Communion: The cup at the center, with grapes for wine and wheat stalks for bread on either side.
- Trinity: Three outer circles representing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, joined to a central circle of God by bands of color.
- Creation: The Creator's hand issues from heaven among the sun, moon, stars, water, trees, and ground.
Sundays at Ten
Sunday worship gathers at 10 a.m. The doors swing wide. Sermons are streamed on YouTube and remain available 24-7 through an archive that goes back years. Communion services are held periodically throughout the year, and special Sundays mark the seasons: Resurrection Sunday in the spring, Women's Day, Scholarship Sunday, Graduation Sunday, Mother's Day, Friends and Family Day, and a Wednesday Bible Study with visiting preachers. Dr. Woods is the regular voice at the pulpit, with guest preachers filling in from time to time, including Bishop William Barber II, Rev. Dr. Jerry Cannon, Dr. Melvin Harris Sr., Dr. Hillary Gaston, and others. Music is led by the church's Music Committee, chaired by Deacon Angela Fritz.
Tithes and offerings can be given online through the church's giving page, mailed to the office, or placed in the mailbox near the glass doors. The Finance Committee oversees a formal requisition process for ministry expenditures.
Dr. Ricky A. Woods and the Twelve Senior Ministers
Dr. Ricky A. Woods is the twelfth senior minister of First Baptist Church-West, and he is now in his twenty-ninth year of pastoral leadership. His tenure stretches back to 1995, well over half the church's life in its present home. Dr. Woods is known for his steady presence, his preaching rooted in scripture, and a writing ministry that includes a long-running series of weekly devotions and a collection of spiritual formation resources. He has shaped the congregation's identity through reading plans, devotional reflections, sermon series, and major pastoral letters during seasons of national crisis.
Under his leadership the church has remained anchored in the West End and continued its long history of scholarship support, senior nutrition, youth development, and pastoral care. His sermons are archived online by date and season, and his written devotions are published regularly.
Sunday School for Every Age
Sunday School at First Baptist-West meets before and after the morning worship hour, with classes for adults, youth, and children. The current rotation is led by Deacon Marion Yates as Sunday School Superintendent. Adult classes include the Sunday School Class at 11:30 a.m. led by Marian Yates, the Adult Sunday School Class #2 at 10 a.m. led by Carolyn Cooper, the Anonymous Jesus class at 11 a.m. led by Rev. John Burton, and the Discipleship 101 class at 11 a.m. led by Patsy Burkins and Peggy Harris. A Middle and High School class meets at 10:30 a.m. with Juanita Harris and Jennifer Miles.
The Adult Lesson series takes the class through the scripture in print. A recent study, for example, walked the group through the Babylonian exile and the return to Jerusalem under Cyrus, drawing out themes of repentance, deliverance, institutional memory, generosity, and the renewal of worship. Class members receive the printed passage and lesson setting in advance and gather to discuss.
Tuesday Mornings and Evenings on the Phone Line
Each Tuesday the pastoral reach of the church extends beyond the building through a conference call line. Dr. Woods leads devotions at 8:15 a.m. and again at 7:15 p.m. Dial-in is open to anyone. Past reflections have included pieces on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Joseph's dream, the centrality of the cross as God's answer to the sin predicament of humanity, the gift of second chances as in Jonah, the call to be tough-minded and tender-hearted as sheep among wolves, and the resilience required when leaders fail the people they serve.
Members are asked to dial in a few minutes before the start time, to mute their phones after joining, and not to announce themselves after the start. The devotions blend Bible reading, reflection, prayer, and an encouragement to share the journey with others.
Spiritual Formation Through the Year
The church has built a rhythm of spiritual formation programs that move the whole congregation through scripture together. Different in 90 is a 90-day Bible reading plan that begins with a 30-day journey through the entire New Testament, followed by 30 days of prayer, and concludes with the Daniel Fast. The first phase draws on weekly thoughts from figures like President Theodore Roosevelt, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Howard Thurman, and Sojourner Truth, paired with a verse of the week for memorization and meditation. The prayer phase includes Dr. Woods' own prayers along with classic prayers from John Baillie, Howard Thurman, Thomas Merton, Benjamin Mays, Peter Marshall, Saint Augustine, Abraham Lincoln, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Mary McLeod Bethune.
Reading Thru the Psalms is a summer reading plan that takes the congregation through two Psalms a day from late June through early September, with weekly reflections from Pastor Woods and a list of recommended readings from scholars such as Walter Brueggemann, C. S. Lewis, Eugene Peterson, and Phillip Keller.
The Lenten Series walks the church through the Gospel of John over forty days from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Members read daily, give a dollar a day for a mission project at the end of Lent, and may take up the Daniel Fast during the season. Pastor Woods writes weekly reflections on the readings.
The Daniel Fast is a partial fast of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains, paired with prayer and the deliberate denial of other appetites. Members are encouraged to journal their experience and to consult their physicians if they have medical conditions.
Children and Youth: A Full Calendar
The Children and Youth committee runs an active calendar throughout the year. Highlights include:
- Vacation Bible School in June, with supper at 5:15 p.m. and classes from 6:00 to 7:45 p.m., for children and adults of all ages.
- Peppermint Prom, an annual themed dance such as the Pajama Jam or the '80s Edition.
- Graduation Sunday each June, celebrating kindergarten, high school, college, graduate school, trade school, and other graduates.
- HBCU College Fair on the church campus, drawing historically Black colleges and universities to meet students and parents.
- Youth Aviation Application, a STEM initiative for students interested in aviation.
- Music Extravaganza in November and a Youth Liturgical Dance schedule in December.
- Back-to-School Ice Cream Party, Breakfast with Santa, the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, and an annual Youth Retreat.
- Black History Month programming focused on wellness: spiritual, mental, physical, and financial.
Questions about youth ministry can be directed to Deacon Marion Yates or Toni Chavis at the church office.
Women's Ministry and the Men's Laymen's League
The Women's Ministry is led by Sister Del Crowell and brings women together for fellowship and study. Annual events include the Women's Day Celebration in March with a Pamper and Prayer morning, a holiday Game Day, virtual game days, and Bible study. Members can connect by reaching out to Rev. Joanne Thomas.
The Laymen's League, chaired by Deacon Allen Patterson, gathers men of the church for monthly Bible study. Brothers meet on the second Saturday of every month at 7:30 a.m. for discussion of the book Knowing God, led by Dr. Melvin Harris Sr. The league welcomes any brother who wants to join, even if he has not read the book, and provides the meeting link by email.
Golden Age Club and Marriage Ministry
Seniors are honored through the Golden Age Club, which provides fellowship, outings, and community for the older members of the church. The Marriage Ministry supports couples through teaching, retreats, and pastoral care.
Scholarships That Send Students Forward
The Scholarship Committee, led by Chiquita English with Deacon John Kinsey, oversees one of the church's most visible forms of community investment. Each year First Baptist-West provides scholarships to new high school graduates and undergraduate students at accredited institutions of higher learning. Returning college students can apply by submitting their most recent grades and current GPA, while first-time applicants complete the full application including a 500-1,000 word essay on career plans, church and community involvement, and the reason the applicant deserves an FBC-West Scholarship.
The church also partners with external scholarship programs such as the Antoinette Bruce Scholarship Award of the Pinochle Bugs Social and Civic Club, the ALO Foundation scholarship, and the Crown Jewels NC Chapter scholarship. Scholarship Sunday is observed each November to recognize recipients and lift up the importance of education in the life of the congregation.
Applications are due by mid-June, with questions handled through Sister Chiquita English and Brother Franz Dugue.
Health, Wellness, and the Daily Senior Meal
Health and Wellness ministry, led by Sister L. Darnel Olowofoyaku, oversees the church's commitment to the whole person. Members participate in workshops on mental health for Black men, Black women, and youth, with leaders such as Brandon Allison of the men's workshop, Joy Robbins of the women's workshop, and Rev. John Burton Jr. of the youth rap session.
The most visible expression of the church's wellness ministry is the daily senior meal program, Healthy Meals On The Go, which runs Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The meals are prepared and served by Charlotte Community Services Association, a nonprofit extension of First Baptist Church-West, under the direction of Patsy Burkins. The program grew dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Mecklenburg County's senior nutrition sites were closed. For two months the church served roughly two hundred meals a day, four days a week, with limited resources. By July 2020, county officials had partnered with the church to sustain the program. Over its first year the program served an estimated 41,000 grab-and-go meals to seniors in the West End, a designated food desert.
The menu is drawn from Southern Black cooking: macaroni and cheese, smoked turkey, black-eyed peas, yellow rice, collard greens, candied yams, and chicken salad are favorites. Some of the seniors being fed are in their nineties and beyond, and the program has grown a "neighbors helping neighbors" element, with regulars like Diane Wyche picking up seven meals a day and delivering food to neighbors who cannot leave their homes. The kitchen is staffed by about a dozen cooks, food handlers, and volunteers, with surprise visits from county food inspectors part of the routine.
During the pandemic the church also hosted Atrium Health mobile COVID-19 screenings and testing, partnered with WSOC-TV and Red Lobster to serve meals to more than a hundred people as quarantine began, ran a blood drive that exceeded its goal, and distributed N95 masks donated by members.
Worship in the Midst of a Pandemic
In March 2020, when COVID-19 shut down public gatherings, Dr. Woods wrote a pastoral letter to the congregation that closed all in-person worship and Bible study. The church pivoted quickly. Each Wednesday evening a taped worship service was posted online. By the second Sunday, more than two hundred people had viewed the previous Sunday's sermon and more than three hundred views had been recorded overall. The conference-call devotions on Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. became a lifeline for members unable to leave home. Members were encouraged to keep supporting the church with tithes and offerings through mail, drop-off, or online giving, and to look for ways to be Good Samaritans to their neighbors.
Heritage and Civic Engagement
The church keeps a strong connection to the broader story of African American life in Charlotte and the country. Documentary work on Brown vs. Board of Education includes a recorded interview with B. B. DeLaine, son of the Rev. Joseph DeLaine whose South Carolina lawsuit was folded into the landmark 1954 ruling, and films by Steve Crump on Charlotte's school desegregation efforts. Members have participated in civic remembrances such as the Walk/Run for Ahmaud Arbery and a salute to former Mayor Harvey Gantt that combined worship with the recognition of architectural heritage.
The church supports the CMS vote to rename Barringer Academic Center as the Charles H. Parker Academic Center, honoring a man born in 1844 who went on to found Moore's Sanctuary A.M.E. Zion Church, help build affordable housing, and contribute to the African American community along West Boulevard.
A Board of Trustees and Agreements
The Joint Church Council coordinates the church's ministry under the leadership of Dr. Ricky A. Woods. Boards and standing committees include:
- Board of Missions and Evangelism, chaired by Deacon Robyn Pendleton
- Board of Christian Education, chaired by Sister Pamela Love
- Deaconess Ministry, chaired by Deaconess Mamie Cuthbertson
- Board of Deacons, chaired by Angela Fritz
- Board of Finance, with Deacon Patrice Thompson as Treasurer
- Board of Directors, chaired by Deacon Gwen Mackins, with Chrisean Hardy as Vice Chair
- Human Resources Committee, with Alison Mitchell and Gloria Sloan
- Nomination Committee, co-chaired by Brenda Mansel and Allen Patterson
- Assimilation Ministry and Church Clerk, Deacon Leon Bryan
- Sunday School Department, with Deacon Marion Yates as Superintendent
- Culinary Arts Committee, chaired by Deacon Clarence Able
- Health and Wellness Ministry, chaired by Sister L. Darnel Olowofoyaku
- Children's Committee and Archives Committee, co-chaired by Dr. Melvin Harris Sr. and Sister Juanita Harris
- Senior Usher Board, chaired by Sister Daris Hillman
- Junior Usher Board, supervised by Sister Henrietta McClain
- Laymen's League, chaired by Deacon Allen Patterson
- Pastor's Aid Society, chaired by Deaconess Mamie Cuthbertson
- Scholarship Committee, chaired by Chiquita English and Deacon John Kinsey
- Music Committee, chaired by Deacon Angela Fritz
- Missionary Group #4, with Sister Gloria Ervin as President
- Baptism Committee, co-chaired by Deacon Leon Bryant and Deaconess Linda Adams
- Floral Committee, co-chaired by Sister Regina Irby-Harrell and Sister Wanda Doby
- Audio Video Committee
Visiting First Baptist Church-West
The church sits five minutes west of uptown Charlotte off Beatties Ford Road near the intersection of I-77 and I-85, at 1801 Oaklawn Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28216. Sunday worship is at 10 a.m. with doors open ahead of the service. The sermon is livestreamed on YouTube and remains available afterward. Tuesday devotions are held at 8:15 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. via conference call at 205-825-9633. Sunday School classes meet at various hours from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The Healthy Meals On The Go program serves seniors Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The office can be reached at 704-372-1075 or info@fbcwest.org. Members and friends support the church through online giving, mailed contributions, or gifts dropped in the mailbox near the glass doors.
First Baptist Church-West is a 157-year-old congregation that has lived through slavery's end, segregation, urban renewal, and a pandemic, and has done so by keeping first things first: worship, scripture, service, and community. The doors still swing wide.