The Hillcrest Baptist Church journey started in July 1952 with a prayer meeting of 11 persons interested in starting a church in the Hillcrest Heights area. On Novemeber 23, 1952 the first worship service was held under the pastoral guidance of Dr. Charles J. Sheets. In March of 1953, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for this mission church, and the congregation occupied the first building four months later. Rev. Anthony Bort was called to pastor in August and in September the first deacons were ordained. A dedication ceremony was held on November 29, 1953.

The growing group labored in the development of the mission into a church. As a result of the group's vision and dedication to the Lord and to the mission, Hillcrest Baptist church was established on February 25, 1955, with Rev. Herbert Reamy as pastor to the 294 members.

Rev. Wayne E. Scott served as pastor from October 1957 through April 1968. The church acquired most of its present property during these eleven years and the educational building was constructed in 1960 and dedicated in December of that year.

In May 1968, Dr. David C. Hall became pastor and led the church in breading ground for the new sanctuary. The church held its first worship service in the new sanctuary in December 1969, presided over by Rev. Kenneth E. Thornton, who had become pastor in July of 1969. The new sanctuary was dedicated on January 4, 1970; in November of that year, it was the site of the D.C. Baptist convention.

On May 1, 1976, Rev. Hubert G. Keefer became pastor and served in this capacity for nearly 24 years until his death in April 2000. Pastor Keefer was a skillful administrator and a good financial manager. Under his guidance, the church deepened its commitment to foreign missions and maintains a missionary residence - appropriately called "the Keefer Missionary Residence" - where visiting missionaries may stay free of charge while in the Washington area.

Rev. Eric C. Redmond was called to serve as the interim pastor in February 2001. After serving for six months in that capacity, he was welcomed as pastor in September of 2001.

Following a long period of prayerful searching, Rev. W. Clyde Pearson was called to pastor the church in December 2012. Throughout the decades, Hillcrest Baptist church continues in God's service.