Our History

Sydney Baptist Church was established in 1909 when it began with a dream in 1908 with the Union Church, approximately 1/4 mile from its current location, where it housed both a church and a public school. 

In 1917, Sydney Baptist joined the South Florida Baptist Association in the year the United States became actively involved in World War I, when our country felt the effects of the war. In 1926, the first sanctuary of Sydney Baptist Church was built from materials gathered from the old Woodman's Hall at Durant. This was the beginning of the Baptist work here at Sydney and a break from the Union Church. In 1939, a church renovation added a choir loft and a baptistery. The main entrance and seating arrangement was also changed from three sections of pews to two sections of pews. In 1944, the church added a ten-room education room for Sunday School and office space. 

In 1958, the church built the Education Building behind the church sanctuary. Sometime between 1958 and 1964, the first sanctuary building was moved to the south side of the property. 

In August 1964, the church family broke ground for the current sanctuary. On November 24, 1964, the new building was dedicated. According to records, Reid Wall Fellowship Hall was also dedicated in 1964.

In December 2018, the church spent time in prayer seeking God’s direction for a new and greater mission. From early 2019 through June 2022, the church was led by Dr. Dan Middlebrooks, and was known as First Call SBC (Southern Baptist Church) where ministry to First Responders became one of several  ministries to the community.  We began reaching out to the First Responders within the community, which includes law enforcement, fire/rescue, security, EMS, and military.  We recognize and honor their dedicated service and continue to love and serve these brave men and women.  

We are once again known as Sydney Baptist Church as of February, 2023.  Our ministries  include prayer, missions, evangelism and service to the local community, including continuing to minister to First Responders.  Our church is known for our caring, loving culture to help each other and those in need with encouragement and practical helps.

Our church is once again in prayerful transition as we grow and thrive and we seek our next pastor.  Throughout these 110 years, the Lord has blessed Sydney Baptist Church and we are looking forward to what God is doing in our midst!