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Metropolitan Baptist Church

Our History

“Since 1923”

Our church was first established in 1923. Let's take a look at what happened during that time:

  • To travel from New York to California took 13 days. Now it takes only two and a half days.
  • Our President was Calvin Coolidge.
  • The population of the United States of America was 100 million and now it has reached over 301 million.
  • This was also the year that Yankee stadium was opened and the Hollywood sign was erected.
  • The life expectancy in 1923 for men was 52 and for women 54. Today's life expectancy for men is 75 and for women 80.

These times where harsh and often unforgiving, but there was a missionary from Lonesome Dove Baptist Church that made his way west.  The gospel was brought to this area because of his ministry. This eventually led to the organization of Lake Drive Baptist Church where they met in the basement of Turner Grade School . Here is the history of pastors since 1923:

Name                             Tenure     Years Served

James L. Childes        3 years            1923-1926

A.B. Toby                       1 year            1926-1927

R.W. Reed                    3 years            1927-1930

R. S. Howard                3 years            1930-1933

Bert A. Kimble              8 years            1933-1941

Coy L. Latimer              6 years            1939-1946

Lonnie Cooper              1 year            1946-1949

Bryan Clemens            21 years            1949-1969

James K. Gillespie          1 year            1969-1970

Hugh Adkisson         26 years            1970-1996

Larry Adkisson           14 years            1996-2010

Things became interesting during the time that Dr. Brian Clemens was pastor. The church had a building off 27th Street and Bro. Clemens had the vision to move the church to its present location. Included in that vision was the changing of its name from Lake Drive Baptist Church to Metropolitan Baptist Church. Loop 820 had not been built yet when the church originally purchased this property. This busy Azle Avenue in front of the church was nothing but a two lane dirt road.

When Dr. Hugh Adkisson became pastor, things began to happen as well. Bro. Larry Adkisson (son of Bro. Hugh Adkisson) was hired in 1972 and became music director and youth minister. Faith Promise Missions was also introduced during this time.  The church went from supporting 4-5 missionaries to faithfully supporting 60-70 missionaries. This is when the sun never set on Metropolitan’s missions. In the 1980’s, Metropolitan Baptist Church took on the sponsoring of 5 missionaries from our own church. Bro. Larry Adkisson was one of those missionaries. He went to the field of South Africa .

In 1977, S.M.I.T.E. was created for those who wanted and needed to see missions first hand. S.M.I.T.E. is an acronym for Student Missionary Intern Training for Evangelism. SMITE gave opportunity to see what missions was all about.

Bro. Hugh Adkisson retired in 1996 and the church called Bro. Larry Adkisson as pastor thus ending his mission endeavors in South Africa . Son-in-law, Travis A. Jones, was hired on staff earlier the same year. Bro. Jones served faithfully on staff for 14 years before accepting the call as pastor of Highland Baptist Church in El Reno , OK in 2010. Bro. Larry Adkisson served faithfully as pastor for 14 years until his resignation in 2010.

In February of 2011, Metropolitan Baptist Church called Bro. James H. Turner as pastor.

Our church is full of unique and faithful people. I would like to share one with you, a lady by the name of Loyce Mercer. She was a dedicated teacher of the primary class. She would teach those kids Bible lessons and Bible stories. As she became older she began to lose her eye sight. It progressively got worse; to the point the she couldn't even read her own bible. But she remained faithful in teaching those kids Even though she couldn't read the scriptures when she taught she could use the scriptures that she had hidden in her heart to remain faithful.

Our church has a heritage like no other and we have had outstanding members that were faithful to our Lord. It is only by Gods grace that we can celebrate these many years of history.

Metropolitan Baptist Church - Since 1923

6051 Azle Ave.

Fort Worth , TX 76135

817-237-2201
©2009 Metropolitan Baptist Church 6051 Azle Ave. Fort Worth TX, 76135
Office-817.237.2201 Fax-817.237.4692