History

1961 - Dr. Jack Hyles, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hammond, faces a major decision in his young ministry in Hammond.  The millionaire church members do not want bus kids at First Baptist Church.  Praying all night in Chicago, Dr. Hyles chooses the bus kids.  This decision determined eternity for hundreds of thousands of Chicago children, teenagers, and families. 

1968 - First Baptist Church begins bus routes in Chicago.

1975 - First Baptist Church begins the Sunday Afternoon Program which is instrumental in preparing bus riders for City Baptist High School.

1977 - Dr. Ray Young becomes the bus director.

1978 - City Baptist High School opens its doors. The first school for bus kids.  Nearly 75 Chicago bus riders enroll.

1982 - Enrollment exceeds 100 students.

1983 - Dr. Ray Young becomes the City Baptist Liaison.

1987 - Dr. Dave Douglass becomes the Principal of City Baptist High School. First Baptist Church celebrates its 100th year anniversary.

1989 - Enrollment exceeds 200 students.

1990 - City Baptist Grade School officially opens. Children in grades 3 through 6 may now enroll.

1995 - Enrollment reaches 300 students.

1996 - City Baptist expands its grade school and enrolls children into the 2nd grade.

1997 - First Baptist Church purchases the Temple Beth El Church at 6947 Hohman Ave., and moves the high school to this building. The grade school remains at 700 Sibley Street.

1999 - City Baptist once again expands the grade school and adds a first grade.

2000 - Enrollment exceeds 400 students.

2001 - Dr. Hyles, our Pastor of 41 years, passes away. March 7, Dr. Jack Schaap becomes Pastor of First Baptist Church and Superintendent of Schools.

2002 - City Baptist begins interscholastic soccer and basketball. Both sports end with a winning season. Dr. Young becomes Co-President at Hyles-Anderson College.  Dr. John Francis becomes the new bus director.

2003 - Dr. Schaap and the people of First Baptist Church purchases the Spohn School at 4925 Sohl Ave., and makes this the home of City Baptist Schools. Deaf School is added with an enrollment of 8 students.

2004 - Wrestling is added as an interscholastic sport. Kindergarten is added to the grade school.

2006 - Work-Study Program begins.

2007 - www.citybaptistschools.com is created. City Baptist Alumni Association begins. Enrollment exceeds 500 students. Gymnasium is painted with Overcomer Theme.

2008 - Learning Enrichment Class is started. A year-round school calendar is adapted. Enrollment exceeds 600 students.

2010 - Dr. Dave Douglass becomes an Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana. Mr. George Vogel becomes the principal.