The First Baptist Church of Catskill was organized July 20, 1803 beside the open fireplace of Hiland Hill with only seven charter members. Services were held in the Hill home and later in the schoolhouse. On August 10, 1809, the church was incorporated. In 1823, when its membership reached 80, funds were secured, and a lot was purchased from Appolus Cooke at the cost of $225.00. A small building was erected on Clarke Street, not far from its present site.

In a few years, it was apparent that this building was not large enough. In 1840, a new building was erected on Main Street, with membership then reaching 102. But after 11 short years of use, it was destroyed by the great fire of 1851, which wiped out several other buildings, including two churches. Soon a committee was appointed, and a new church was in use the following summer of 1852.

All went well with these hopeful people until August 7, 1871, when the red wings of fire destroyed this building after only twenty years of service. The church was far from able to meet the financial drain, which abruptly came. The parsonage was sold. Baptist Churches of the Hudson Valley took up generous collections. Along with this, as well as $3,000.00 in insurance money (the church was valued at $15,000.00), and by borrowing the balance, the present gothic structure was erected in 1873 at a cost of about $22,000.00. A debt of $9,000.00 was to be carried by a membership of less than 150.