Our

Past

The “first particular Baptist Church of Christ in Farmington” was embodied on July 26, 1810 by eight men and 14 women, who covenanted together to establish the Church. The first Church building was erected on the present site in 1836. The first house of worship was destroyed in the “Great Fire” in October 1886. A new structure was dedicated on June 27, 1887.

In 1915, the Particular Baptists and Freewill Baptists of Maine merged, adding two Freewill congregations (Farmington and West Farmington) to the congregation on the corner of Academy and Main street. The Church was known as the First Baptist Church. After years of fundraising, an Austin pipe organ was installed and dedicated in 1935.

The second church edifice was also destroyed by fire on March 20, 1938. The cornerstone for the new Church was laid on July 31, 1939. The new Church edifice was dedicated in April 1940. Reverend Albert Henderson, who had served the Church with great love and dedication since 1927, accepted a call to serve a new Church in Massachusetts in 1945. Almost a year later, he died unexpectedly; his funeral and burial were in Farmington. The Church voted in 1946 to change its name to Henderson Memorial Baptist Church in his memory.

The first Baptist service is held at the Moses Starling home in Fayette in 1792; Elder Eliphavlet Smith, preacher. Church also visited by Elder Isaac Case, missionary from Massachusetts, who was sent to preach the gospel to the “destitute heathen” in the Maine settlements. Until 1820, Maine was still a part of Massachusetts.

An early Baptist Church in Farmington is organized in 1797, according to records of the Bowdoinham Association of Baptist churches across central Maine. Church lost “visibility” sometime between 1804 and 1810.

1800

The first Baptist service is held at Moses Starling home in Fayette in 1792. Elder Elphalat Smith, preacher. Church also visited by Isaac Case, missionary from Massachusetts, who was sent to preach the Gospel to the “destitute heathen” in the Maine settlements. Until 1820, Maine was still a part of Massachusetts.

An early Baptist Church in Farmington is organized in 1797 according to records of the Bowdoinham Association of Baptist Churches across Central Maine. Church lost “visibility” sometime between 1804 and 1810.

The first Particular Baptist Church of Christ in Farmington is embodied July 26, 2810.

Settlers, who signed the covenant to embody the Church:

Phebe Thomas; Sarah Swett; Susan Church; Sally Webster; Abigail Brainerd; Jane Bullen; Elizabeth Bailey; Mary Pease; Irene Sweet; Clarisa Norton; Polly Hall; Lydia Bartlett; Martha Coney.

Brethern, who signed the covenant to embody the Church:

Elder Sml. Swett; Isaac Thomas; Thomas Humpries; Wm. Bradbury; Richard Ramsdell; Benj. Brainerd; E. Marshall Norton; Nahum Swett

Particular Baptists were Calvinists and believed that God predestines certain people to be saved. The believer’s response was not freely chosen. God is in control. Communion for members only. only the regenerate could be members.

1810

Church services were held in homes or barns and were led by deacons or elders, who were members. Occasionally, an interant preacher would come to town. The Town of Farmington had a center Meeting House, a common worship space that any Church could schedule preaching.

Early meetings focused on disciplining members for not coming to Church or for having unresolved disagreements with other members. If reconciliation was not reached, members would be dismissed from fellowship.

Preachers were part-time and came on horseback. For long stretches, Baptists in Farmington would not have a preacher, who served on a regular basis but only the interant missionaries who came to town. It would not be until 1904 that the Church had a parsonage for a Pastor to live in. In the 1800’s the lack of a settled Pastor meant that the new Church was used for worship on 1/2 to 3/4 time.

1821- First Pastor called. Elder Winthrop Morse (from Hallowell) related the “reason for his hope” (his testimony of faith) and then his call to preach the Gospel.

The Farmington Church was part of the Bowdoinham Association, which included Baptist Churches across Central Maine from the coast to Lancaster, NH. They helped each other with ordinations, evangelism and mission work. The Farmington Church was often the recipient of mission funds raised by other Churches in the Association.

1810-1834

1834, June 10- Received a set of Communion ware from Boston area friends.

1835, February 24- Voted that the Church resolve itself into a Trust Society and agree to contribute annually to trust each according to their ability.

1835- The Baptist Society bought a site (concern of Academy and Main street) and began building a Church in the Center Village.

1840- Early standing committee to resolve pastoral compensation issues. Reverend Hathaway becomes Pastor but demands to be settled in one year. Brother Morse complains about him reading his sermons. Vote not to re-hire Reverend Hathaway.

1841- Reverend M.N. Williams elected to the Standing Committee of the Maine Baptist Anti-Slavery Convention. Southern Baptists split from Baptists in the north over slavery.

September 1943- Sisters (not just brothers) now allowed to vote on receiving and dismissing members. Unanimous vote to withdraw the hand of fellowship from Ebenezer Childs, who had left and attempted to start a Second Baptist Church.

1843- Vote to have Communion every first Sabbath (formerly once every two months). Church decides to hold revival meetings in union with Freewill Baptists, Methodists, Congregationalists. Many saved!

1845-46 Church agreed to raise money for Pastor’s salary, but ran into resistance. Pastor resigns; resignation not immediately accepted.

Reverend Dr. G.M.P. King, Pastor in 1858-1859, came from Oxford, graduated from Waterville College. Left Farmington to serve in Providence, RI and then went to Richmond, VA to work with freedmen. In 1867, he became principal of the national Theological Institute in Washington, D.C. and later president of Wayland Seminary.

August 24, 1848- 50 members sign a covenant to bury in oblivion the conflicts of the past few years to forgive each other all past wrongs, to walk together in brotherly union and in devotion to the cause of Christ, and to expunge the records.

1848- 1851 - Reverend Charles Miller

1851 - 1854 - Reverend Cyrus Tibbetts

1854-1858 - Reverend G.M.P. King (resigned, moved to Washington, D.C.)

1859 - 1862 - Reverend Abner Morrill (resigned, moved to Turner)

1864 - 1866 - Reverend E. Pepper (resigned, moved to Eastport)

1867 - 1869 - Reverend F.W. Emerson (resigned, went to Brunswick)

1870 - 1872 - Mr. F. W. Tolman (resigned, went to NH)

1873 - 1875 - Reverend James Heath (resigned)

1876 Mr. O.O. Ordway (short time, went to Nobleboro)

1876 Reverend A.W.H Eaton (resigned, left ministry, went to Harvard in 1880, became Episcopalian Priest)

1844 - 1876

1883- Reverend Edward A. Mason ordained by this Church. He initiates the use of envelopes for giving to benevolences in Maine Churches.

October 22, 1886 - Church destroyed in the Great Fire that started on Front Street and jumped to Main Street, heading south. The wind must have blown embers on the roof of First Baptist Church; nothing could save it.

The Baptist of Farmington Rebuild- Original Church was partly insured. A new, wooden structure is dedicated on June 27, 1887.

Hiatus in the records of the Church Clerk from 1856 - 1895, 14 men preach for the Church, before Reverend George Stilphen is called for $800 salary, plus parsonage rent. Promises to bring in new members or pay his own rent.

1877 - 1895

1881- 1883 Reverend W. H. S. Hascal (resigned, went to Brunswick missionary)

1883 - 1885 Edward A. Mason

1886- 1892 Reverend Herbert Tilden

April 1893- 1895 Reveral W. A. Atchley