 Founded in 1912, the Florida Avenue Baptist Church traces its roots back to a group of 23 people who decided to withdraw their membership from the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church after a series of events took place between the years 1910 and 1911.Faced with the dilemma of finding another place to worship, the 23 people who named themselves "The Excelsior Circle" took turns meeting at each other's houses until on July 12, 1912, they decided to meet at what was then known as Winslow's Hall located between 12th & R Streets N.W., and formally organize their own church.Soon after organization, approximately 222 people joined the infant church.