Enslaved people who had previously attended Baptist services with their White enslavers in Thomasville began holding separate services at the First Baptist Church in 1853. In 1866, they established the First African Baptist Church. The first pastor, Rev. Jacob Wade, served from the establishment until his death in 1877.

The present church building was completed in 1900. The congregation continued its association with the African Baptist Church until 1964, when they reorganized as First Missionary Baptist Church.

The church was granted $155,000 in 2024 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for future efforts to preserve the property.

Dawson Street Residential Historic District, National Register of Historic Places