Our History

First Baptist Church was born in the hearts of a few women and men in July 1978, soon after the opening of Sun City West.

The story began with a letter. Lois Yoshioka Koonse wrote the Daily News-Sun expressing interest in beginning a Southern Baptist congregation in Sun City West. Dr. Melvin Ratheal and a small group of laypersons responded to the letter and joined Mrs. Yoshioka in launching the church. The North Phoenix Baptist Church provided significant encouragement to the church and its ministries and served as its beginning sponsor.

On Easter, 1980, the church conducted its first worship service. On February 10, 1985, the church held its organizational meeting as the Sun City West Baptist Church.

The church has used three names to identify itself. It was, first, the Sun City West Baptist Chapel. Next, it chose the name Sun City West Baptist Church. The current name, First Baptist Church, Sun City West, became its official name in 1988.

During its early years, the church met in three temporary locations: the Alco Theater, Sun City; Home Federal Savings and Loan, Sun City West; and Western Savings, Sun City West.

Members purchased land on North Conquistador Drive for the church's permanent home. The church conducted groundbreaking ceremonies for the first unit of its facilities in February 1983 and held its first service in the building on Christmas Day of that year.

The church's sanctuary represents the central act of the Christian life, worship of the living God. The building is topped with a cross, lighted at night, that points to the central truth of the Christian gospel. The interior of the sanctuary is decorated in bright, southwestern colors and includes beautiful stained glass that portrays the central beliefs of the Christian faith. The architecture draws one's eyes to the chancel - with baptistery, pulpit, communion table, choir loft, and organ and piano - inviting persons to worship.

Dr. C. Melvin Ratheal served as the church's first pastor. He was followed by two others before the current pastor, Dr. N. Larry Baker, began his ministry with the church in 1997.

The church built its second unit, The Christian Life Center, in 1992. This unit houses Bible Study space, a fellowship hall, offices, library, and kitchen. Its beauty and arrangement make it the center of Bible Study and fellowship on Sunday and home for a host of activities throughout the week.

First Baptist Church Sun City West has a richly diverse membership. Its men and women have come from at least thirty states and three nations to enrich the life of the church and enable its ministry.