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Here begins a small piece of the ongoing history of The First Baptist Church of Weston Massachusetts. Follow along with us as we journey through an exciting and God blessed mission and ministry. Join with us as we seek to effectively make the changes necessary to meets the spiritual needs of this generation.
History of the First Baptist Church of Weston
The First Baptist in Weston was Oliver Hastings, who was baptized in 1772 by Noah Alden, Pastor of the Baptist Church at Bellingham. To quote from The Weston Baptists and Their Church, 1789 - 1939, “His firm stand for what he believed to be the truth excited opposition among the powers in the established Congregational parish church, but he was apparently a man of decided character and opposition only served to whet his enthusiasm.” He was a popular young man and soon attracted several friends to his way of thinking.
They formed the Baptist Society and in 1784 contracted to build the first House of God, located on the north side of South Avenue, east of Wellesley Street. It was completed in 1788. In 1789, a council was called and the Weston church was formed. Seventeen members signed the original covenant. They “were pronounced an independent Baptist Church in accordance with the principles of the New Testament”, and they were “subject to their full share of opprobrium as belonged to the sect everywhere spoken against”. They were still required to pay taxes to support the First Parish Church until 1825, despite numerous protests at Town Meeting and the Bill of Rights.
In 1828, a new, larger church building was built on Boston Post Road. The same year the first Sunday School was started, emphasizing, as now, the importance of Christian Education and Bible Study. From 1867 to 1870, religious revival was rampant in the country, and the First Baptist Church added 50 new members in two years. Rev. Luther Barrett was the Pastor and it was said “Mr. Barrett was known to have preached one sermon lasting an hour and forty minutes. He realized that it was too long, but the people shouted for him to go on.”
The first organ was purchased in 1867, and the bell, which still tolls from the steeple every Sunday, was hung in 1871. In 1882, the Baptistry was added. Until that time, baptisms were held in the pond behind the Golden Ball Tavern. During the 1890’s the church installed the pipe organ that still thrills the soul with music in 2005. A set of handbells was purchased in 1998 in memory of Mary Fish, our beloved organist for many years.
In 1922, the church voted to build a new house of worship on the site of the old wooden building. It was completed in 1924. The Whittemore House on the corner of Boston Post Road and Golden Ball Road was purchased in 1962 and served as a Christian Education Building. Since 1972, it has housed the Nursery School. The parsonage at 659 Boston Post Road was built in 1988.
The First Baptist Church is a self-governing body, with a President, Paulette Onorato, and an Executive Council elected by the members of the church. All major decisions and appropriations are voted upon by the members of the church. The Church is a member of the American Baptist Churches/USA and The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts.
The humble origins of the Weston Baptist Church have not been forgotten. To this day, it is reflected in the ministry of the people. The Church uses its building as a resource to serve the community, not just its members. It has sponsored Boy Scout Troop 153 since the early 1900's, Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas and Easter presents, as well as occasional food, bus fare and heating oil, are freely given to those in need. SAT preparation classes are held on weekday nights to support high school students in Weston and surrounding towns. The Happy Hearts Quilting Group crafts quilts for people who need a touch of love in time of need.
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