By: Aniyah Davis 

The church was founded by a total of 21 women who approached Reverend Samuel Johnson in 1898 to discuss and establish a spirited Baptist Church in Des Moines. On April 3rd, Reverend Johnson established the first Baptist church in Des Moines. First Baptist Church was located on the east side of Des Moines in a family dwelling, and after a short time, it was then relocated to West 12th Street between Crocker and School Streets, close to the St. Paul AME Church. In April of 1917, Rev. George W. Robinson, Sr became the new pastor, and soon after the congregation quickly outgrew the building and needed a new property. They purchased the new property on 9th and School Streets. In March of 2010, Reverend Michael C Burton became the pastor of this church, but unfortunately on Christmas Eve in 2012, Pastor Burton passed away. In July of the year 2014, they welcomed their new pastor Reverend Jonathan Whitfield, and he was installed as the 10th pastor of Corinthian Baptist Church.