First Baptist Church, East Thomas is a historic church at 419 11th Court West in Birmingham, Alabama. It was built in 1939 in a Gothic Revival style and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

REVERAND JOHN ALLEN HAYES First Pastor (1938  - 1971)

The First Missionary Baptist Church of East Thomas was born of a need to serve Christians and to provide a place for worship and social functions in the East Thomas Community.  For years the church was located on the corner of 4th Street and 11th Court.  At this time, the church was known as New Hope Baptist Church.  Rev. John Allen Hayes was called as pastor.  The congregation was not able to maintain this edifice and soon found themselves with no place to worship due to foreclosure by the lien holders.

Through the efforts of Mary Coty, who was a member of the congregation and janitor at East Thomas school, the Birmingham Board of Education permitted the displaced parishioners to use East Thomas School for worship service.  The body was established as First Baptist Church of East Thomas.  After several months, the member moved their worship service to s store front located on the corner of 6th Street and 12th Avenue.  Prayer meetings, missionary society meetings, Bible study and other meetings usually held at the church were held in the homes of various members.

The women of the Congregation played a key role in raising funds to keep the church operating.  They also organized various functions to raise money for construction of the Church building.  When enough money was raised to purchase the lot where the church is currently located, Rev. Hayes contracted to build the church.  He hired a Black contractor, Eugene Powell, to build the First Baptist Church of East Thomas.

Eugene Thomas, Ben Briggs, Greek Vanhooks, Tucker Vanhooks, Richard Washington, John Wright, Pete Hamilton, Silas Hudson, Louis Thornton were among the first deacons of the church.

First Baptist Chuch continued to prosper under the wise counsel of Rev. Hayes.  To continue to provide for the membership and ensure the growth of the church, Rev. Hayes named the following deacons to continue the legacy of the church.  W. L. Patterson, John Martin, Januo Glover, C. C. Combs (who served as Superintendent of the Sunday School), McArthur Stuckey, Joe Noye, Lee G. Pugh, Gabe Lando, William Blanton, Charles Maull, John Smith, Joe Rowe, Aaron Favors, Forrest Nelson and Daniel McGill.

A Board of Trustees was formed with John Johnson as the first trustee.

The church grew by leaps and bounds following the development of the St. Marks Village Community.

REVERAND JOHNNY JAMES HOWZE, SR. Second Pastor (1971 - 2004)

In 1971, a calm, mild-mannered man, the Reverend Johnny James Howze, Sr., was called to pastor the First Missionary Baptist Church of East Thomas.

Reverend Howze was licensed and ordained by the New Salem Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama.  He received his B.Th. degree from the Birmingham Baptist Bible College while pastoring First Baptist Church of East Thomas.

Prior to his coming, the church was in turmoil.  Reverend Howze's first sermon, "Disturbed But Not Destroyed", was a message of hope and encouragement which the congregation needed to continue on its Christian journey.

Under the pastorate of Rev. Howze, the church continued to grow.  Deacons were added and the Trustee Board was expanded.  Many members were added to the church through Baptism and Christian experience.

Deacons who served under Reverend Howze included:  Joe Noye, William Blanton, Gabe Lando, Wiley H. Andrews, Willie Woods Sr., Charles Maull, John W. Smith, Dave Vinson, Lonzie Blutcher, Norman Bester, Richard Dorsey Sr., Raymond Cochran, Nathaniel Thomas, Alfred Woods, Yul Cochran, Norris Howze, and Willie Boykin.

Two ministers, Reverend Daniel Wright and Reverend Robert Stewart, were licensed.

In 1997, Reverend Howze was awarded the honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Birmingham-Easonian Baptist Bible College for his outstanding leadership and accomplishments in the ministry.

The accomplishments of Reverend Johmmy J. Howze's Administration include: ordination of seven deacons; substantial increase in the Church's budget; expansion of the Musis Department to include the Sunbeam Choir, Male Chorus and Mass Choir; installation of new pews and carpeting; installation of a sound system; the purchase of pulpit furniture and church hymnals; renovation of the church building including the Church Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, Pastor's study, sitting room, and the addition of a ladies restroom.

Additional purchases included robes for the Youth Choir, a bus, two vans, several properties, a piano and a set of drums.  Assistance was provided to the homeless and meals for the hungry.

Upon his retirement in 2004, Reverend Johnny James Howze, Sr. was awarded the honorary title, Pastor-Emeritus of the First Missionary Baptist Church of East Thomas.

REVEREND GEORGE LEWIS ROBINSON, JR. Third Pastor (2004 - Present)

Reverend Geroge Lewis Robinson, Jr. was called to pastor First Missionary Baptist Church of East Thomas in September, 2004.

Reverend Robinson was licensed and ordained by the Antioch Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama.  He delivers the Word that "God is Love." and emphasizes a "Post-Benediction ministry to equip God's people to live Godly lives".

Under the pastorate of Reverend Robinson, the church continues to grow.

The following deacons have served under Reverend Robinson:  Charles Maull, John W. Smith, Raymond Cochran, Nathaniel Thomas,

The following deacons are currently serving under Reverend Robinson:  Richard Dorsey Sr.,  Alfred Woods, Sr., Yul P. Cochran, Sr., Norris Howze, Sr., Willie Boykin, Derrick Combs, Frank Grant, and Thurston Brown, Sr.

One minister, Reverend Anthony Howze, has been licensed.

Reverend Robinson's accomplishments include the reorganization of the Deacon's Ministry, the Missionary Department, the Youth Department, and the Music Department.  The following departments and ministries were organized:  the Seniors Department; the Young Adult Department; the Young Adult choir; the Puppet Ministry and Liturgical Dance Groups for Teens and Children.  Reverend Robinson instituted Friday Afternoon "Lunch with Jesus" for Seniors and a Men's Conference and a Women's Conference.

Other accomplishments include the installation of an upstairs restroom and the acquisition of additional properties.

With God's continued blessings, the First Missionary Baptist Church of East Thomas and its administration, under the leadership of Reverend George Lewis Robinson, Jr., continue to press forward on its pilgrimage by faith.