FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WATERFORD

A Brief History

We're so excited to be celebrating our 300th Anniversary in 2010 ! ! !

God is indeed good and His grace is sufficient in our lives ! ! !

The First Baptist Church in Waterford, Connecticut, has a glorious heritage, as we look back on 300 years of serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  An historic Baptist church in New London County, First Baptist is the second oldest Baptist church in the state.

Back in 1710, when Waterford was still part of New London, a group of Baptists felt they must have their own  church on this side of the Thames River.  They withdrew from the only other Baptist church in Connecticut, the First Baptist Church of Groton, and The Reverend Valentine Wightman helped them     get organized in Waterford that year.  They met in homes for many years and at one time shared a meeting house with the Waterford Seventh Day Baptists, with each group holding services on their own Sabbath.  They hired their first pastor in 1726 but he fell into scandal and those faithful to God's Word were kicked out.  They met in homes and under persecution until their next pastor came in 1756.   Nathan Howard was a farmer and fishermen with a love for the Lord and His people.  He served for 19 years right up until the Revolutionary War.

Under the leadership of Elder Zadoc Darrow (pastor from 1775 - 1827), they built a church on Mullen Hill opposite the burial ground.   A stone marker with a background of low trees marks the spot where it stood.  As the congregation expanded they needed more room, so in 1848 the present sanctuary was raised here at the corner of  North and Rope Ferry Roads.  This was done under the leadership of Zadoc's grandson, Francis Darrow, who served for 40 years at the church, first as associate pastor and later senior pastor.  Sheds for the horses and buggies were later built and in 1882, the two story rear addition was constructed.  The Sunday School, Christian Endeavor (youth group) and Prayer Meeting shared the large first floor room, while upstairs was the ladies' parlor, kitchen and a large room where community activities and church suppers were held.

At this time the First Baptist Church of Waterford was part of the American Baptist Association, but in   1958, when Rev. Ralph Patterson was pastor, the church decided to withdraw from the Association because of its liberal views.  Since that time, this church has been a totally independent Baptist church and continues to maintain its solid beliefs in the Bible as the Word of God, salvation by faith, baptism 

by immersion, symbolic Holy Communion, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the promise of heaven       for believers.

During the pastorate of Rev. William Reed, the land next to the church was obtained and another addition was built in 1975.  This Christian Education Building has a gymnasium, kitchen, nursery,

six classrooms, rest rooms and staff offices.

The church's original parsonage faces North Road where Rev. David Moynihan, our Senior Pastor, lives with his wife Susan.  The church also owns a second home on Rope Ferry Road that is currently used for mid-week prayer meeting, Sunday School, youth group, guest missionaries, and, hopefully soon, a new coffeehouse ministry.

Our church has a wonderful history that attests to God's faithfulness to His people.  We desire to be faithful to Him as well and it is our deep desire to provide opportunities for witness, personal growth and service to those in First Baptist Church, the community of Waterford, and the world.