History

Our rich history reaches back to July 5, 1780 when the First Baptist Church in Newton was founded just west of our current building on the banks of Baptist Pond, or what is now Crystal Lake. The first Baptists in America migrated from England in 1638, and settled in Rhode Island. They were the earliest settlers in New England to insist on religious freedom for all people.

Today, our church remains committed to the historic Baptist convictions of freedom of conscience, the responsibility of each member for his or her ministry under God, and the search for direction in the study of Scriptures rather than creeds. At the same time, we embrace members of many church backgrounds and are open to innovation and differences of opinion and belief. Though we maintain close ties with the American Baptist Churches, USA, all church matters rest locally with our members, who hire the ministerial staff, elect officers and determine policy.