First Corinthian Baptist Church

What First Corinthian Baptist Church does

First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC) is a private, non-profit Baptist religious organization founded in 1933 in Harlem, New York, operating from a designated historic landmark building at 1912 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. The church serves a community of more than 10,000 members at its Harlem campus and a combined 15,000+ across its NYC and Los Angeles operations. Under the leadership of Senior Pastor Michael A. Walrond Jr. (appointed 2004), FCBC has expanded from a traditional worship congregation into an integrated community platform spanning spiritual, social, mental health, food security, and cultural programming.

FCBC's core product is the weekly Worship Experience, delivered both in-person and via FCBCTV (online streaming), Facebook Live, and YouTube on Sundays at 10am and 2pm EST, supplemented by an extensive on-demand sermon archive. The technology stack is operationally standard — livestreaming infrastructure, the Shelby Next CHMS-powered myFCBC member portal, basic e-commerce (FCBC Retail), and social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter/X, and TikTok — with no disclosed proprietary AI or advanced technical differentiation. Service offerings include baptism, baby dedication, weddings, funerals, prayer requests, daily prayer calls (Mon-Sat via conference line), and senior check-in calls (weekly). The church also operates seven named subsidiaries through the FCBC Community Development Corporation: The Dream Center (25+ free programs in creative arts, leadership development, and economic empowerment), The H.O.P.E. Center (Harlem's first faith-based mental health facility, opened 2016), The Sanctuary (a 1,600-seat arts and events venue acquired from the former Regent Theatre in 1964 and upgraded with $1M in sound/lighting in 2017), the FCBC Community Market (weekly food distribution), Hope for Harlem (annual community event), and The Uptown Collective (creative arts incubator).

The business model blends recurring member tithes and offerings via the Give platform, episodic fee-based services (funerals with defined line-item pricing, weddings, baptisms), Sanctuary facility rentals to external users, merchandise sales through FCBC Retail, and likely grant/foundation funding for the H.O.P.E. Center and food security programs. Pricing is largely not publicly disclosed; funeral line items include a $500 sanctuary fee, $250 minister, and $200 musician/audio technician. Go-to-market is community-led, leveraging word-of-mouth, signature outreach events, multi-channel social media, and a hybrid in-person/digital worship model. Customer segments span worshippers, youth (K-12), young adults, women, seniors, mental health support seekers, food insecure families, and the broader Harlem geographic community.

Name

First Corinthian Baptist Church

Legal name

First Corinthian Baptist Church

Website

https://fcbcnyc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

First Corinthian Baptist Church is a Harlem-based Baptist congregation serving 10,000+ members across worship, mental health, food security, arts, and youth programs through subsidiaries including the Dream Center, H.O.P.E. Center, and a 1,600-seat Sanctuary venue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious and Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Ambulatory Health Care Services (621)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Healthcare Ministries (Hospitals, Clinics, Medical Missions) (BPAGAJAH)

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Faith-based community services
• Community outreach programs
• Faith-based mental health services
• Food pantry assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Members and attendees contribute through the Give platform on the church website, supporting the church's operational and community mission activities.
2. Facility Rentals (The Sanctuary): The Sanctuary arts and events space generates revenue through rental of various rooms including the Performance Hall (1,600 seats), Clark Board Room, Lounge/Gallery, McKenzie Hall, and other spaces for meetings, conferences, exhibitions, rehearsals, auditions, filming, recitals, and concerts.
3. Merchandise Sales (FCBC Retail): The church operates FCBC Retail selling merchandise that exemplifies core values of live, love, and serve through both in-person and online storefront.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC) is a faith-based religious organization providing weekly worship services (in-person and via FCBCTV online streaming), spiritual life-cycle services (baptism, baby dedication, weddings, funerals), and a broad portfolio of community programs including faith-based mental health services at The Hope Center, creative arts and leadership development at The Dream Center, weekly food distribution via the FCBC Community Market, and venue rentals at The Sanctuary arts space.

Product overview

First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC) is a religious organization offering a comprehensive suite of spiritual, community, and arts programs. The core offerings center on weekly Worship Experiences (in-person and via FCBCTV streaming), with additional spiritual services including Baptism, Baby Dedication, Weddings, Funerals, and Prayer support. FCBC operates community-focused programs through The Dream Center (creative arts, leadership development, economic empowerment) and The H.O.P.E. Center (faith-based mental health). Community outreach includes the Hope for Harlem event, FCBC Community Market (weekly food pantry), and Breakfast Before Books (children's breakfast program). The Sanctuary arts venue offers event space rentals including a 1,600-seat Performance Hall. Additional ministries serve Youth, Young Adults, Women, Music, Dance, Media, and Community Engagement. Digital platforms include FCBCTV streaming, myFCBC member portal (Shelby Next), online giving, and FCBC Retail merchandise store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FCBC Community Development Corporation: Oversees The Dream Center and The Hope Center - community hubs providing free programs in education, arts, mental health, and economic empowerment.
• The Dream Center
• The H.O.P.E. Center
• The Sanctuary
• Hope for Harlem
• The Uptown Collective

Products and services

• Worship Experience Weekly in-person and virtual Sunday worship services held at 10:00am and 2pm EST, streamed via FCBCTV, Facebook, and YouTube. Open to members, attendees, and the broader Harlem community.
• FCBCTV Online Streaming Digital streaming platform for watching worship services, sermons, and church content online on Sundays at 10am and 2pm EST, plus on-demand sermon archive accessible globally.
• Daily Prayer Call Conference call prayer service available Monday-Saturday at 7:15am-7:45am with the pastoral team. Access via conference line (712) 775-8912, passcode 887162.
• Senior Check-in Call Weekly conference call for seniors with Pastor Mike held Thursdays at 12:00pm EST providing community connection and pastoral care.
• The Sanctuary Venue Rental Arts and events venue within the church building offering spaces for rent including the 1,600-seat Performance Hall, Clark Board Room, Lounge/Gallery, McKenzie Hall, and Meditation Room for meetings, conferences, exhibitions, rehearsals, auditions, filming, recitals, and concerts.
• The Dream Center Programs Community development hub offering over 25 free programs in creative arts, leadership development, and economic empowerment to the Harlem community for all ages, races, and backgrounds.
• The H.O.P.E. Center Mental Health Services Faith-based mental health facility, the first in Harlem, providing free mental health services while minimizing stigma in communities of color.
• Hope for Harlem Annual community-wide event providing Harlem residents with vital supplies, resources, health screenings, and a beacon of hope, serving thousands of families in partnership with 50+ sponsors, vendors, and volunteers.
• Sermon Archive Archived collection of sermon recordings and transcripts available for viewing and listening, organized by date, speaker, topic, and series.
• myFCBC Member Portal Church management and member portal powered by Shelby Next CHMS for member engagement and administration.
• FCBC Community Market Weekly food pantry providing fresh produce, pantry staples, protein, and essential household items to address food insecurity through a client choice model. Operates Fridays 11am-1pm.
• Breakfast Before Books Weekday morning program providing children with free grab-and-go breakfast when school is in session, distributed 7am-8:30am to fight food disparity among youth.
• Baptism Services Baptism ceremonies for candidates with registration, class, and ceremony support provided by the All-In volunteer team.
• Baby Dedication Baby dedication ceremonies for families wishing to dedicate their children at the church.
• Weddings and Pre-Marital Guidance Wedding ceremonies and virtual premarital group guidance sessions covering communication, conflict management, intimacy, financial stewardship, and family dynamics.
• Funeral Services Funeral and memorial services with venue rental, officiant, music, media support, grief care and counseling services. Pricing: $500 sanctuary, $250 minister, $200 musician, $200 audio technician, $200 optional live stream technician.
• FCBC Youth Ministry Youth ministry serving children in grades K-12, empowering youth to become disciples through education, arts and service.
• FCBC Young Adults Ministry Young adult ministry cultivating leaders through faith resources and encouraging operative membership in church life.
• Women's Ministry Women's ministry creating space for connection, honest conversation, and spiritual growth across generations.
• Online Giving Online tithing and donation platform for church financial support.
• FCBC Retail Merchandise online store selling items exemplifying core values of live, love and serve, available through both in-person and online storefront.
• The Uptown Collective Creative arts collective supporting artists through table reads, staged readings, coaching, classes, and production of original works at The Dream Center.

Quantifiable outcome

• Community impact: 3,000+ individuals/families served at Hope for Harlem events
• +3 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Hope for Harlem Sponsors and VendorscoreOthers · 1 January 2022Hope for Harlem has engaged 50+ sponsors, vendors, organizations, and volunteers to provide vital supplies and resources to thousands of struggling families in Harlem. The event has been a collaboration between individuals, CBOs, unions, businesses, churches, and organizations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Abyssinian Baptist Church: Historic Harlem Baptist church with significant community programs and similar urban ministry model. Comparable size, demographic focus, and integration of worship with community services including food, education, and arts programming.
• Concord Baptist Church of Christ: Brooklyn-based historic Baptist church with significant membership and community programs. Comparable denominational affiliation, urban ministry model, and integration of faith with community development initiatives.
• Brown Memorial Baptist Church: Brooklyn-based historic Baptist church with community programs and progressive mission. Comparable denominational tradition, urban setting, and emphasis on social justice and community engagement alongside worship.
• The Riverside Church: NYC-based historic interdenominational church with extensive community programs, arts programming, and progressive social mission. Comparable scale, urban setting, and integration of faith with social services and cultural programming.
• Bethel Gospel Assembly: NYC-based Pentecostal church with significant membership and community programming. Comparable urban ministry model, emphasis on community services, and integration of worship with social outreach.
• Greater Allen AME Cathedral: Harlem AME cathedral with large membership and historic community presence. Comparable demographic focus, urban ministry model, and tradition of integrating worship with community outreach programs.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: National faith-based social services organization with extensive community programs. Broader scale than FCBC but operates in similar faith-based community services space including food assistance, mental health, and family services.
• Salvation Army: Large faith-based nonprofit operating community programs nationally including food assistance, social services, and disaster relief. Overlaps with FCBC's food security and community service missions at a much larger organizational scale.
• YMCA of Greater New York: NYC-based community services organization with youth programs, community engagement, and family services. Comparable community programs and Harlem service area, though operates on different funding model (membership fees) rather than tithes.

Regional players

• Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement: Harlem-based interfaith community development organization with similar geographic focus and community service mission. Comparable Harlem service area and faith-based community development approach, though operates as multi-congregation collaborative.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FCBCNYC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FCBCNYC
• Facebookfacebook.com/fcbcnyc
• Instagraminstagram.com/fcbcnyc
• TikToktiktok.com/@fcbcnyc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-corinthian-baptist-church

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Corinthian Baptist Church