Hello
Welcome
We are a church family that believes first and foremost in loving our neighbors. Here you will find a loving and accepting church that will help you tackle the tough challenges of life whether you are a longtime follower of Christ or even if you are not yet a believer
The Church downtown
Our Story
In 1924 Silver Spring was a tiny little village made up mostly of apple orchards and dirt paths. It was in this setting that 14 people met on October 22, 1924 to establish the Silver Spring Baptist Church. Since that time the First Baptist Church of Silver Spring has had a presence in downtown helping people in the community to make their lives better through ministry and fellowship. Our commitment to be a shining presence in today's urban environment is stronger than ever with a brand new building in that same location - the heart of Silver Spring.
You can still join us every Sunday at 11am for the weekly Sunday Service right here on our homepage - streaming even though we aren't meeting live at the church during the COVID-19 crisis. We will be back in the Church building for in-person service on July 11th! That will include Adult Bible Study and Bible Study for children. Until then we will continue to hold hold both Adult Bible Study and Bible Study for children through High School every Sunday at 10 am online. Online service and Bible Study will continue after in-person church resumes.
We are also affiliated with three other churches who offer Sunday Service at our downtown Silver Spring facility in French/Haitian Creole and Spanish. For information on the French/Haitian Creole Church please visit: https://eglisebaptistedelafoi.org and for Spanish language service visit Iglesia Baptista Immanuel at https://www.facebook.com/ibessmd828 or call them at (301) 879-5155. You can also attend service by Hope of Glory Believers Ethiopian Church. You can get more information at https://hopeofglorymd.org/about-us/
On March 31, 2019, Reverend Gil Gulick took the congregation out of the worship service and to the lobby of our Wayne Avenue entrance. From here you can look out the glass exterior walls and see the downtown Silver Spring skyline. With this view Reverend Gulick articulated "The Church Downtown" vision. See his comments in the video below:
Stand With Us - Make A Difference
Learn More
#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.
OUr Food Closet is Open and ready to help
If you need help we're here
First Baptist Church of Silver Spring, The Church Downtown, has been able to keep our Food Closet open even during the COVID-19 crisis.
If you need help making ends meet the Food Closet is open every Saturday from 10am to 12n. You can access the Food Closet from the Wayne Street entrance.
For more information please call us at 301-754-1100 or email us at info@thechurchdowntown.com
Reach Out - We're Here
Scary Times.
These are indeed extraordinary times.
If you need someone to talk to or you would like to send a prayer request you can do so either by text message or voicemail. All of the messages go to directly to our Pastor Gil Gulick.
We also have two women ministers in our congregation if you would like to speak to one just let us know.
If you are just sending in a prayer request please specify whether you would like the message shared with the congregation.
We encourage you to share this number with family and friends who may be hurting or just need someone to talk to.
The Number is 301-679-3358.
Remember. We are here. You are not alone.
Coming Up this Week
We are back to (new) normal operating procedures. The Church office is now open normal hours. In-person Sunday service has resumed (see rules for attending above). Sunday service will continue to be streamed via this web page and on our Facebook and YouTube pages.
Every Wednesday
Bible Study: 130pm to 330pm online.
All ages are welcome to join us. We encourage you to invite your family and friends regardless of where they reside... it's virtual!
Send an email to info@thechurchdowntown.com if you'd like to participate.
Every Saturday
Food Closet: The Food Closet is open every Saturday from 10:00am to 12:00pm. You can come once a month to get food. Use the Church's main entrance on Wayne Ave.
Every Sunday
Bible Study-Sunday Service: Adult and Child Bible Study begin at 10am at our main church building. Sunday Worship Service begins at 11am. Church services also in Spanish and French/Haitian Creole
Contact us at info@thechurchdowntown.com or by phone if you have any additional questions.