On December 7, 1879, twenty-one members of New Hope Baptist Church on the north side of Waco organized this congregation to serve the black community in the southern part of town. Originally known as the Second Colored Baptist Church, it began during the last days of Reconstruction, when many blacks were leaving former slave states for other parts of the country. Worship services were held in a one-room building on Canal Street until 1882, when the congregation moved to property on First Street. After relocating to South Second Street in 1896, later named M.L. Cooper Drive, the church endured financial hardships and a 1922 fire that destroyed the sanctuary. Despite these setbacks, the congregation continued to grow, provided for the spiritual needs of the community, and supported outreach and missionary programs. A member of the Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas and the National Baptist Convention of America, it has served as a focal point for Waco's black community for more than 100 years. In a collaborative effort between Baylor University and Second Missionary Baptist Church, the congregation moved from M.L. Cooper Drive to a temporary home in Edgefield Baptist Church in March 2003 while members awaited construction of a new building at 2001 Dallas Street. After the facility was completed, Second Baptist held its first Sunday service there in July 2004 and dedicated the structure in August 2004.