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Church History
In 1880 a
small group of Christians in Princeton, New Jersey organized a Prayer Band
dedicated to the proposition that Christians have an obligation to assemble
regularly in a place of worship and prayer. Founders of this Prayer Band were
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Jackson, in whose home at 11 Green Street the group met,
and James Johnson, Thomas Warner, Herman Digman, and Joshua Freeman.
As the
group grew, meetings were moved to the Riley Building on Witherspoon Street and
subsequently to the Odd Fellows Hall at MacLean and Witherspoon Streets.
Ministers who served the group were: Rev. T. D. Miller, Rev. Cooper, Rev. W. D.
Johnson, Rev. A. A. Taylor, Rev. William Harrison, Rev. Gibson, Rev. Booker, and
Rev. Bell.
The
present location of the Church was purchased and on August 12, 1885, the corner
stone was laid for the Bright Hope Baptist Church. The name was later modified
to be First Bright Hope Baptist Church.
The first
pastor at the current location was Rev. Thornton. The growth of the church
continued during his Stewardship and that of the pastors that followed him in
the next decades. They were Rev. W. Smith, Rev. George Washington, Rev. D. S.
Klugh, Rev. Lilburn G. Hurdle, Rev. T. J. Jones, Rev. Silan B. Birchmore, Rev.
A. S. George and Rev. A. B. Askew.
Rev.
William T. Parker became pastor in 1930. He realized the necessity for a
reorganization of the church program, as well as the need for the renovation and
expansion of the building. Along with this work of reconstruction, the name of
the church was changed from Bright Hope Baptist Church to the First Baptist
Church. When Rev. Parker retired in 1962, our membership had more than tripled.
In 1963,
Rev. Edward Smith of Fredericksburg, Virginia became pastor and proved himself
to be equal to the dual task of ministering to the spiritual needs of the people
and carrying out plans for building and extensive addition to the Church. A
major renovation and expansion were completed under his leadership. Reverend
Smith served until 1984.
In 1986
Rev. Michael Nabors was installed as the pastor and served until 1992. During
his tenure the very successful Vacation Bible School was established. Reverend
Nabors was followed in 1994 by Felicia Y. Thomas, the first woman to serve as
pastor of the church. Under her leadership women were elected for the first
time to the Deacon Board and an 8 a.m. service was instituted.
Reverend Thomas was followed
by Reverend Maurice Wright III in 2002. On October 24, 2004 our current pastor,
Reverend Carlton E. Branscomb, was installed. |
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Directions
First Baptist is located at
Corner of John Street and Paul Robeson Street in Princeton New Jersey
08542-0501. It is adjacent to Nassau Square in Princeton’s primary downtown
business district. From Route 1 take Washington Road east. Travel though the
Princeton University to the light at Nassau Street. Go through the light
directly across Nassau Street. The street becomes Vandermeir. At T
intersection make a left on Vandeveter. Go through the light at Witherspoon. The
Church is one block on the right.
The Church Mission
The mission of the
First Baptist Church, Princeton, New Jersey is to witness and share the love of
God, as manifested in and through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, within
the community of faith. We take pride in our African-American heritage, as we
embrace persons from diverse backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles and experiences.
We are committed to the Christian ministry of word, sacrament, and service,
through worship, discipleship, fellowship, evangelism, and advocacy for social
justice. Our theology is bible-based and our governance is congregational.
We are affiliated with the American Baptist Churches of the United States of
America and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. We covenant to live, learn,
and serve together toward the goal of embodying the realm of God on Earth as it
is in Heaven.
2006 has been the year of prayer
and 2007 will be the year of prayer and praise. We are seeking to raise
the spirits of God's people by raising the bar in worship and praise in the
mighty name of Jesus. In
obedience to the scripture in Romans 12:1,2, which says, "I appeal to you
therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your
spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what
is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect." We envision a
church that is healthy in mind, body, and spirit, attending to the needs of the
local and world community. |
