About First Baptist Church
Our (NON) Denomination
You may be surprised to find out that although we are called The First Baptist Church, we are not Baptists. We are a non-denominational church.
Our whole vision or mission is to bring people into the conformity of the Lord Jesus Christ, to preach and teach The Word of God. We are a full gospel church which means we believe in the Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and we believe in being led by the Holy Spirit of God.
Our whole vision or mission is to bring people into the conformity of the Lord Jesus Christ, to preach and teach The Word of God. We are a full gospel church which means we believe in the Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and we believe in being led by the Holy Spirit of God.
Q: Why does your sign read Baptist if you're not?
A: Our historical landmark status prevents us from changing the name and sign.
A: Our historical landmark status prevents us from changing the name and sign.
Our Congregation
We're a multi-cultural church. We have a little bit of every type of ethnic background, economic background, and social background; and we believe that's what the Kingdom of God is about - not excluding or separating different races or cultures. We embrace the multi-cultural aspects of humanity. If you're human, you're welcome!
Our Emphasis
We, at The First Baptist Church, believe that God is a loving God, a merciful God, and a gracious God, but first of all: we believe that God is a holy God, and so therefore, we have an emphasis on the holiness of God. God says, "Be ye holy as I am holy". That is not a request, but it is a commission. God has called us to be holy. We're not legalistic, but we do follow The Word of God, and The Word of God only.
One of the many ways Pastor encourages us to live out a holy life is to dress modestly. The world constantly pummels us with unholy images designed to lead us into worldliness and misery. Church should be a safe place where men and women can freely worship God without distraction, temptation, and feeling their relationships are being threatened in any way. While we are called to be understanding of those who have just found their way out of a dark world, we encourage everyone to seek to please the Lord in everything they do, and the way we choose to dress is just one small way our desire to live righteously and our growing spiritual maturity becomes evident.
One of the many ways Pastor encourages us to live out a holy life is to dress modestly. The world constantly pummels us with unholy images designed to lead us into worldliness and misery. Church should be a safe place where men and women can freely worship God without distraction, temptation, and feeling their relationships are being threatened in any way. While we are called to be understanding of those who have just found their way out of a dark world, we encourage everyone to seek to please the Lord in everything they do, and the way we choose to dress is just one small way our desire to live righteously and our growing spiritual maturity becomes evident.
Our History
Founded in 1823
In Watertown, New York.
Among the early settlers in Northern NY were a number of Baptist families from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. In 1823 at the village of Watertown, Baptist services were being held in the old stone courthouse and prayer meetings were held in private houses. Later services were held in an old log schoolhouse on the North side of Factory Street.
In 1828, a meetinghouse was built on Factory Street. This building was sold a few years later as the ever-increasing congregation found it to be too small. A new church was built in 1837 on the corner of State and Mill Streets, 40' x 60', one story with a steeple, but no bell and a seating capacity of 300 people.
This building was dedicated on January 10, 1838. However, the congregation was only able to enjoy their new church for a short period of time, as fire destroyed the building on March 8, 1846. The church was rebuilt and dedicated on January 7, 1847. This building was two stories and built of brick with a stone basement, and this building remained in use until it was torn down to build the existing building.
On June 26, 1891 the corner stone of the present First Baptist Church of Watertown was laid. The limestone used in the building was quarried near the city of Watertown and the marble came from Gouverneur, NY. At the dedication of the new church on September 13, 1892 the Reverend Thomas Dixon, Jr. stated, "I congratulate you that the Spirit has so led you, that here on this historic ground where the old building stood you have built a better one; and you have said to the devil, "I will not give you the choicest spot in a ll the city, but we will hold it for the Lord God. what is good for a businessman ought to be good for the Lord."
In the early 1900's as the First Baptist Church experienced tremendous growth, the organizational name was changed from "The Watertown Baptist Church and Society" to "The First Baptist Church of Watertown."
In 1948, the Watertown Council of Churches was formed. The First Baptist Church of Watertown was a charter member.
In 1955, they began the biggest remodeling project of all, the beautification of the sanctuary. The plan called for new lighting, carpeting, and communion table with chairs, the removal of wings of the balcony, choir lofts to be built on either side of the center platform, the center platform to be enlarged with steps extending across the front between the lofts.
The New York State Baptist Convention met in Watertown in 1963 as well as in 1949 and 1977.
In the 1970's the shift of people from the downtown areas to the suburbs was in full swing and the membership of the church was declining.
In the 1990's a single governing board was adopted, the by-laws were amended to reflect this change; a written church/pastor agreement came into being. The honorary title of Pastor Emeritus of the First Baptist Church of Watertown was bestowed upon Reverend Robert Fletcher Smith.
Public Square has had its ups and downs through the years, but there has been an anchor of stability at the First Baptist Church. The present mission of the church is to serve the neighborhood. Its clock and tower are more than a landmark- they are a reminder that God is at work in Watertown.
We will continue to be a a lighthouse for God and the servants of Jesus Christ.
In Watertown, New York.
Among the early settlers in Northern NY were a number of Baptist families from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. In 1823 at the village of Watertown, Baptist services were being held in the old stone courthouse and prayer meetings were held in private houses. Later services were held in an old log schoolhouse on the North side of Factory Street.
In 1828, a meetinghouse was built on Factory Street. This building was sold a few years later as the ever-increasing congregation found it to be too small. A new church was built in 1837 on the corner of State and Mill Streets, 40' x 60', one story with a steeple, but no bell and a seating capacity of 300 people.
This building was dedicated on January 10, 1838. However, the congregation was only able to enjoy their new church for a short period of time, as fire destroyed the building on March 8, 1846. The church was rebuilt and dedicated on January 7, 1847. This building was two stories and built of brick with a stone basement, and this building remained in use until it was torn down to build the existing building.
On June 26, 1891 the corner stone of the present First Baptist Church of Watertown was laid. The limestone used in the building was quarried near the city of Watertown and the marble came from Gouverneur, NY. At the dedication of the new church on September 13, 1892 the Reverend Thomas Dixon, Jr. stated, "I congratulate you that the Spirit has so led you, that here on this historic ground where the old building stood you have built a better one; and you have said to the devil, "I will not give you the choicest spot in a ll the city, but we will hold it for the Lord God. what is good for a businessman ought to be good for the Lord."
In the early 1900's as the First Baptist Church experienced tremendous growth, the organizational name was changed from "The Watertown Baptist Church and Society" to "The First Baptist Church of Watertown."
In 1948, the Watertown Council of Churches was formed. The First Baptist Church of Watertown was a charter member.
In 1955, they began the biggest remodeling project of all, the beautification of the sanctuary. The plan called for new lighting, carpeting, and communion table with chairs, the removal of wings of the balcony, choir lofts to be built on either side of the center platform, the center platform to be enlarged with steps extending across the front between the lofts.
The New York State Baptist Convention met in Watertown in 1963 as well as in 1949 and 1977.
In the 1970's the shift of people from the downtown areas to the suburbs was in full swing and the membership of the church was declining.
In the 1990's a single governing board was adopted, the by-laws were amended to reflect this change; a written church/pastor agreement came into being. The honorary title of Pastor Emeritus of the First Baptist Church of Watertown was bestowed upon Reverend Robert Fletcher Smith.
Public Square has had its ups and downs through the years, but there has been an anchor of stability at the First Baptist Church. The present mission of the church is to serve the neighborhood. Its clock and tower are more than a landmark- they are a reminder that God is at work in Watertown.
We will continue to be a a lighthouse for God and the servants of Jesus Christ.
Credits:
Historical photo used with permission by: NNYGenealogy.com
Recent photos taken by: Story Line Avenue.
Attribution with link to storylineavenue.com required.
Recent photos taken by: Story Line Avenue.
Attribution with link to storylineavenue.com required.
