The church experienced a period of considerable growth in the mid-20th century, eventually encompassing eleven square blocks of downtown Jacksonville.

Several former pastors, including Homer G. Lindsay Jr. and Jerry Vines, were widely influential in the Southern Baptist Convention, leading it in both growth and a shift towards conservatism.

[4][5] Membership quickly grew, with most early congregants being black slaves who received day passes from their masters to attend.

[4] The Bethel Baptist Church remained interracial until after the American Civil War, at which point the decision was made to segregate the congregation by race.

Under his leadership the church reversed its fortunes, and within a few years it paid off its debt, acquired a new education building, and grew its congregation.

Under Lindsay Jr. the church experienced even faster growth, emerging as a megachurch with thousands of members and many new buildings, including a new 3,500-seat auditorium.

Recent developments include the establishment of First Baptist Academy and of a satellite campus of the church in neighboring St. Johns County.

[10] A second campus was established in Nocatee, Florida[11] First Baptist Church's attendance and influence has been declining for the past 20 years.