On December 2, 1956, a group of Pastors convened at 3:00 p.m. at 1159 E. Foss Avenue for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church. After the church had been duly organized, Rev. L.W. Pryor opened the doors of the church for membership. The very first members were Brother Preston Johnson, Sister Jean Simpkins, and Rev. and Mrs. Avery Aldridge.  It was also motioned and fully supported that the name of the church be the Foss Avenue Missionary Baptist Church.

Foss Avenue’s first sanctuary was the wood-frame house in which the organizational meeting took place. In March 30, 1958, the church marched into its brand new sanctuary next door.  On March 22, 1964, the church was re-built and re-dedicated, adding an east wing and a Fellowship Hall in the basement.  In 1969, a west wing was added to the original sanctuary.  In 1981, Foss Avenue Baptist Church became the first African American church to build a stand-alone Activity Center.  In 1989, a $1.5 million state-of-the-art sanctuary was constructed.

During the era of social unrest in the 1960’s, Foss Avenue served at the forefront of the movement for political empowerment of African Americans when Dr. Aldridge founded the powerful Concerned Pastors for Social Action.  He later played a vital part in establishing the CPSA Courier, a faith-based, African American owned newspaper.

Foss Avenue’s “Voice for Christ in the Community” began to grow louder when it established the Foss Avenue Credit Union (1969) and Foss Avenue Dairy Queen.  In 1976, a Christian School was founded, and in 1996, the Eagle’s Nest Day Care Center was established.

In 2002, Pastor Avery Aldridge fell ill and his son, Minister Derrick Aldridge, became the pastor of Foss Avenue Baptist Church.  Foss Avenue’s organizer and visionary went home to be with the Lord on November 1, 2003.  Minister Derrick Aldridge resigned as Pastor of Foss Avenue in 2006.  In September 2006, Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Austin, Pastor Emeritus of Zion Baptist Church in Saginaw, was appointed to serve as Pastoral Administrator of Foss Avenue, pending the appointment of a permanent pastor.

In May 2008, the Lord sent another leader to shepherd His flock at Foss Avenue,  Dr. Reginald G. Flynn. Under Dr. Reginald G. Flynn’s leadership Foss Avenue Baptist Church was able to eliminate over 1.9 million dollars of debt and in June of 2021 we burned the mortgage.  In October of 2022 after a little over 14 years of Service Reginald G. Flynn retired

In January 2023, the Lord sent a visionary leader, Pastor Brian C. Frelix, to shepherd His flock at Foss Avenue Baptist Church. During Pastor Frelix’s first year as pastor, the church added 27 new members and performed 8 baptisms. In seeking to bring the church back to normalcy after the COVID-19 crisis, Pastor Frelix brought back Wednesday night bible study, the full morning worship service, and added a Thursday night young adult bible study.  Pastor Frelix furthered his vision with the purchase a state-of-the-art audio/visual system to achieve a live-streaming church presence. In 2024, Pastor Frelix spearheaded a very successful teen youth project, which, by mid-year, added 16 youths to the church membership   Pastor Frelix came to Foss Avenue Baptist Church with a fresh perspective with our new motto “Love, Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency.” Foss Avenue continues to move as Christ directs while building His kingdom and continuing to “Embrace The Legacy” of Dr. Avery Aldridge.