First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church

History

The first permanent work for a Baptist Church began with the coming of Rev. Benjamin D. Porter on June 11,1905, in the Red Men's Hall on the corner of West Potomac Street and Maryland Avenue, now the Brunswick Museum. Sunday School began two W B R H weeks later with Rev. Porter as the only officer and teacher and 24 pupils. The Baptist Young People's Union (now Baptist Church Training Program) and the Women's Mission Society (now Women's Missionary Union) were organized. Rev. Mr. Porter was a graduate of Mercer University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, the first of several trained preachers.

A religious census revealed 16 members of missionary Baptist churches; evangelistic meetings were held in December with good results.

The First Baptist Church was organized with 30 members on roll at the Redmen's Hall on January 21, 1906, and Rev. Porter accepted the call to be pastor. Mr. James P. Roby and Mr. Harry S. Yost were the first deacons. Mrs. Barbara (Mrs. James P.) Roby was elected treasurer.The organization of the First Baptist Church in January, the reception of the Church in the Western District Baptist Association in June, the incorporation of the Church in August, and the reception of the Church into the fellowship of the Maryland Baptist Union Association in October all occurred in 1906.

Pastor Porter led in securing the present site as a gift from the Real Estate and Improvement Company of Baltimore City, which handled the matter for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. On Tuesday, July 28, 1908, the laying of the cornerstone took place with a Masonic ceremony. Dr. E. B. Hatcher, executive secretary of the Maryland Baptist Union Association, who had been closely associated with this church from the beginning, led in prayer. Dr. J. R. Stratton of Baltimore brought the address. The first service was held in the basement of the new building on January 1,1909. The Thanksgiving Service was held there on November 25, 1909 with the Methodist and Lutheran churches participating. This fellowship with the churches in Brunswick has continued through the years.

Revivals have always been used in this church, and 140 new members were received by Baptism from two revivals in 1914-15. Education has been a vital part of the church program, and it held its first Vacation Church School in 1927. Because of a growing Sunday School, the house at 201 North Maple Avenue was purchased, remodeled and dedicated as the Educational Annex in June 1955.

In 1979, a group from First Baptist formed Faith Baptist Church on Jefferson Pike near Petersville, Md.

Media

<categorygallery cat="First Baptist Church"/>