History of the Group

The Westboro Baptist Church originated as a branch of the East Side Baptist Church in Topeka, established in 1931 on the east side of Topeka. In 1954, East Side hired Phelps as an associate pastor, and then promoted him to be the pastor of their new church plant, Westboro Baptist, which opened in 1955 on the west side of Topeka. Soon after Westboro was established, Phelps broke all ties with East Side Baptist.

Westboro Baptist began picketing Gage Park, Topeka in 1991, alleging it was a den of anonymous homosexual activity. Soon their protests had spread throughout the city, and within three years the church was traveling across the country.

Fred Phelps, the original leader of the group, died of natural causes shortly before midnight on March 19, 2014. Phelps' daughter Shirley has stated that a funeral for her father will not be held because Westboro does not "worship the dead".