First Baptist Church (Boston) facts for kids
|
First Baptist Church
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
 |
|
| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Built | 1872 |
| Architect | Henry Hobson Richardson; Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| Part of | Back Bay Historic District (ID73001948) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000146 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | February 23, 1972 |
| Designated CP | August 14, 1973 |
The First Baptist Church in Boston is a very old church. It was started way back in 1665. This makes it one of the oldest Baptist churches in the United States.
In the beginning, members had to meet in secret at their homes. This was because a law in Massachusetts made it illegal to disagree with infant baptism. In March 1680, the doors of their first church building were even nailed shut by the Puritans!
The church then had to move to Noddle's Island. To avoid trouble, they pretended their meeting place was a tavern. Members would travel by water to attend worship services. Later, Rev. Dr. Stillman led the church in the North End for over 40 years. He served from 1764 to 1807.
In 1854, the church moved to Beacon Hill. Its steeple was the tallest in the city at that time. In 1881, the First Baptist Church bought its current building for $100,000. Since 1882, it has been located at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Clarendon Street in the Back Bay area of Boston. The inside of the church building is currently being considered as a special Boston Landmark.
Contents
The Church's Early Years (1665–1837)
The First Baptist Church was founded in 1665. This was a brave step because a law in Massachusetts made it hard for them to practice their beliefs. Many early members, including their first pastor Thomas Gould, faced difficulties. They were even put in prison for their faith.
Before the church started, the first president of Harvard College, Henry Dunster, had to leave his job. He refused to baptize his baby. He was influenced by other Baptists who faced challenges in Massachusetts.
During a time called King Philip's War, a minister named John Myles helped lead the church. In 1679, the Boston Baptists built their first official meetinghouse. It was in the North End of Boston. Later, in the early 1700s, a bigger wooden building replaced the small one.
The church grew a lot under the leadership of Samuel Stillman. He was the pastor for 43 years, from 1764 to 1807. It is said that Samuel Stillman kept the church open for services even when the British took over Boston. He preached against them in every service.
In 1682, some members of the church started a new mission. This mission eventually moved to Charleston, South Carolina. Today, it is known as the First Baptist Church in Charleston.
Moving to New Homes (1837–1882)
In 1837, the First Baptist congregation moved into a new brick church building. This was their fourth meeting place. It was located at the corner of Hanover Street and Union Street. Famous preachers like Rollin Heber Neale served here. The church stayed at this location until 1882.
The Current Building (1882–Present)
The church building you see today is the fifth home for the First Baptist congregation. It was designed by a famous architect named Henry Hobson Richardson. It was built between 1869 and 1871. The building first opened in 1872 for a different church group called the Unitarians. However, that Unitarian group soon closed down.
The First Baptist congregation bought this beautiful building in 1881. They paid $100,000 for it. The church has a very special tower. It has unique carvings made by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. He is the same artist who created the Statue of Liberty!
The carvings on the tower show four important religious symbols. They also feature faces of famous Bostonians. These include writers like Longfellow and Hawthorne. You can also see the face of Abraham Lincoln and Bartholdi's friends from that time.
This church was Richardson's first church design in Boston. Later, he designed his most famous church, Trinity Church. The First Baptist Church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The church is part of the American Baptist Churches USA group.
See also
Images for kids
-
Southworth & Hawes: Rollin Heber Neale (around 1850)
-
Brattle Square Church, Boston, with sculpture by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (who also created the Statue of Liberty)
