In the early summer of 1958, the Arizona Gospel Enterprises started a work here in Camp Verde through the efforts of missionaries – Rev. Frank Weatherbee, his mother Muriel Ryder, and his sister Phyllis Nelson. It was meant to be a mission to the Native Americans; however, at a Little League ballgame, Phyllis Nelson’s son, Johnny, asked Randy Cramer if he would like to come to Sunday School. His mother, Dorene Cramer, thought it was a great idea. So, the Native Americans were joined by some Caucasians in a rented building on Second Street. 

Three months later the Church had outgrown that building. It was for sale for $5,000. The old theater building was purchased by the Church with the help of John Hancock. The Church changed its name to The Valley Bible Church; the first meeting was on November 8, 1959.

On September 1, 1960 the Valley Bible Church held its first organizational meeting. It kept the same name, but added “Independent.” A Doctrinal Statement and Church Constitution were adopted and signed by seventeen charter members. Then on December 6, 1962, the Church joined the Conservative Baptist Convention of Arizona and changed its name to “First Baptist Church.”

On September 8, 1965 the Church unanimously voted to buy the property at 646 S. First Street for $3,000. The Church voted to build a new building for $15,000; in August of 1966, the ground-breaking ceremony was held and the building was started. A bell was purchased and donated to the church. The bell, which originally hung in a courthouse in Mississippi, was hung in November, 1974.

By 2003, the church was facing the challenges of overflowing classrooms, inadequate space for the children’s programs, and ministry needs that outpaced all the facilities and resources. Believing that only the power of the Holy Spirit could direct us, we once again by faith moved toward the future. Property was purchased across from the school complex on Camp Lincoln Road

The property on First Street was sold, and the church met in the Multi-Use Complex at the school until our new facility was complete. With God’s help and direction, a beautiful, new building was erected. The first service was held on Sunday, May 6, 2007. 

In May of 2008, the name of the church was changed from First Baptist Church to Parkside Community Church. It is our desire to reach out to the entire community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.