In 1868, a small group of Christian men and women who had been meeting in each other’s homes recognized the need to establish a place to worship God in the Avondale community. The Council of Baptist Churches sanctioned the formation of a church. The first worship service was held at the New Colored Orphans Home on Van Buren Street. Reverend R. W. Scott was selected as the first pastor. Under his leadership the name of the church was the First Baptist Church of Avondale.