On July 25, 1943, messengers from several local Southern Baptist churches met under a tent in the Rosedale community of Richmond.  On that Sunday night after a revival, Rosedale Baptist Church was formally organized with thirteen charter members. On August 15, 1943, Rev. Eldred Taylor was unanimously elected the church's first pastor at a salary of $90.00 per month.  Church services were initially held in several rooms of the Baker House (historically known as Blair Park) at 108 Rosedale Avenue.  In October 1943, the church moved from the Baker House to a 30' X 40" temporary "tabernacle" at 509 Westover Avenue.  The building had a sawdust floor and was heated with a pot-bellied stove.