First Baptist Church History
Early in the year 1922, a small group of people who recently originated from the South, met at the home of Mrs. Martha Plowden to start a mission. About the same time, Deacon and Deaconess Harmon Johnson conducted Sunday School in their home at 1261 East 12th Avenue, Roselle, New Jersey. Their home soon became the place of worship for the members of the Plowden Mission as
well.
It was not long before the living room of the Johnson’s home was too small for the growing congregation. As the congregation increased, many more moves followed.
In June 1923, the church was officially named First Baptist Church. The first officers of the church were Reverend T.J. Hall, Pastor, Deacon Samuel Sampson, Chairman of the Board of Deacons and Trustee O.K. McKenzie, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. On April 11, 1926, a groundbreaking ceremony was held, for a new structure.
Rev. Hall served as Pastor until 1928; he was then succeeded by Reverend Renfro. In 1931, after three years of service, Rev. Renfro brought his young protégé, Reverend M. L. Wilson to preach. Later that year, Rev. Wilson was appointed Pastor. He
served as Pastor until 1936. From 1936 to 1939 Reverend James Paterson served as the Pastor. In 1940, although Reverend Samuel Eugene Schell, Jr. came to First Baptist to conduct services on a “temporary basis” he led the Church for the next 35 years. Rev. Schell had a vitalizing effect upon the congregation, bringing new life to the church community. He was a masterful teacher and spiritual leader who made his ideas come alive. Rev. Schell inspired in others a great thirst for learning with sermons reflecting
keen insight, broad knowledge, and profound faith in God. He believed the church should function in a practical way, with the members developing spiritually, intellectually, and working as a unit.
The number of church auxiliaries grew from five in the last 1920s to thirteen in the 1950s. Missionary work reached beyond the local area with some members of the Church participating in regional and national programs.
In 1958, the Church Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, with plans for future revisions in 1973. They provided clearly defined guidelines of the duties of the pastor, officers, committees, and meeting procedures for First Baptist. On November 11, 1971, Reverend G. George Abnathya appeared before the Church officials and was unanimously selected as Associate Minister. He soon became Assistant Pastor. Rev. Abnathya took a keen interest in each of the members and won their admiration. He showed an interest in their hopes and aspirations; and shared in the joys and sorrows of the entire congregation. Rev. Abnathya was always there when needed. He encouraged the development of new programs and plans for the future of First Baptist Church.
On April 18, 1975, the foundation for a parsonage was poured. Construction of the parsonage was later completed in December 1975. Rev. Schell’s long years of service as Pastor ended in retirement on December 20, 1975. In January 1976, Rev. Schell moved into the parsonage and provisions were made for him to reside there until he was called to be with the Lord.
Rev. Abnathya was called as pastor on June 20, 1976, with formal installation services being held on June 27, 1976. The congregation who had worked closely with him for five years warmly received him and committed themselves to support his
leadership.
In September 1976, a Building Fund was established; in March of 1978, a Planning Committee formed; August 10, 1984,
Dill Avenue in Linden was selected as the location to construct the new building. Groundbreaking services for our current building were held on March 24, 1985. Exactly one year, one month, and twenty-four days after groundbreaking the new building was completed.
May 18, 1986. the First Baptist Church family triumphantly marched from the old building located on Lincoln Street to the new structure on Dill Avenue singing praises to God. Dedication services were held on Sunday, March 8, 1987, with approximately
eight hundred First Baptist members and friends in attendance.
In 1991, Rev. Abnathya could see and feel that his health was beginning to fade. He had the foresight to call to assist him Reverend Lewis W. Steele. On May 2, 1993, Rev. Abnathya officially retired as pastor. Under his leadership, First Baptist Church obtained a
beautiful edifice and a membership of well over 700.
Rev. Lewis W. Steele became “Interim Pastor” of First Baptist Church on May 23, 1993. On January 9, 1994, Rev. Steele was called as Pastor of First Baptist Church with installation services being held March 6, 1994. Pulpit associates Rev. Frederick Person, DD; Rev. Clarence W. Bauknight Sr.; Rev. Wanda King, and Minister Christine Hardy were appointed to share clergy responsibilities.
Reverend Derrick R. Dumas was installed as the eighth pastor of First Baptist Church on February, 13, 2011. It’s evident, that God’s Word is the foundation of his ministry. His desire is to help families to grow through preaching, teaching, and practical application of God’s Word. Under his direction, the congregation is…”Moving Forward by Faith: Pressing Toward the Mark”… Philippians 3:14
well.
It was not long before the living room of the Johnson’s home was too small for the growing congregation. As the congregation increased, many more moves followed.
In June 1923, the church was officially named First Baptist Church. The first officers of the church were Reverend T.J. Hall, Pastor, Deacon Samuel Sampson, Chairman of the Board of Deacons and Trustee O.K. McKenzie, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. On April 11, 1926, a groundbreaking ceremony was held, for a new structure.
Rev. Hall served as Pastor until 1928; he was then succeeded by Reverend Renfro. In 1931, after three years of service, Rev. Renfro brought his young protégé, Reverend M. L. Wilson to preach. Later that year, Rev. Wilson was appointed Pastor. He
served as Pastor until 1936. From 1936 to 1939 Reverend James Paterson served as the Pastor. In 1940, although Reverend Samuel Eugene Schell, Jr. came to First Baptist to conduct services on a “temporary basis” he led the Church for the next 35 years. Rev. Schell had a vitalizing effect upon the congregation, bringing new life to the church community. He was a masterful teacher and spiritual leader who made his ideas come alive. Rev. Schell inspired in others a great thirst for learning with sermons reflecting
keen insight, broad knowledge, and profound faith in God. He believed the church should function in a practical way, with the members developing spiritually, intellectually, and working as a unit.
The number of church auxiliaries grew from five in the last 1920s to thirteen in the 1950s. Missionary work reached beyond the local area with some members of the Church participating in regional and national programs.
In 1958, the Church Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, with plans for future revisions in 1973. They provided clearly defined guidelines of the duties of the pastor, officers, committees, and meeting procedures for First Baptist. On November 11, 1971, Reverend G. George Abnathya appeared before the Church officials and was unanimously selected as Associate Minister. He soon became Assistant Pastor. Rev. Abnathya took a keen interest in each of the members and won their admiration. He showed an interest in their hopes and aspirations; and shared in the joys and sorrows of the entire congregation. Rev. Abnathya was always there when needed. He encouraged the development of new programs and plans for the future of First Baptist Church.
On April 18, 1975, the foundation for a parsonage was poured. Construction of the parsonage was later completed in December 1975. Rev. Schell’s long years of service as Pastor ended in retirement on December 20, 1975. In January 1976, Rev. Schell moved into the parsonage and provisions were made for him to reside there until he was called to be with the Lord.
Rev. Abnathya was called as pastor on June 20, 1976, with formal installation services being held on June 27, 1976. The congregation who had worked closely with him for five years warmly received him and committed themselves to support his
leadership.
In September 1976, a Building Fund was established; in March of 1978, a Planning Committee formed; August 10, 1984,
Dill Avenue in Linden was selected as the location to construct the new building. Groundbreaking services for our current building were held on March 24, 1985. Exactly one year, one month, and twenty-four days after groundbreaking the new building was completed.
May 18, 1986. the First Baptist Church family triumphantly marched from the old building located on Lincoln Street to the new structure on Dill Avenue singing praises to God. Dedication services were held on Sunday, March 8, 1987, with approximately
eight hundred First Baptist members and friends in attendance.
In 1991, Rev. Abnathya could see and feel that his health was beginning to fade. He had the foresight to call to assist him Reverend Lewis W. Steele. On May 2, 1993, Rev. Abnathya officially retired as pastor. Under his leadership, First Baptist Church obtained a
beautiful edifice and a membership of well over 700.
Rev. Lewis W. Steele became “Interim Pastor” of First Baptist Church on May 23, 1993. On January 9, 1994, Rev. Steele was called as Pastor of First Baptist Church with installation services being held March 6, 1994. Pulpit associates Rev. Frederick Person, DD; Rev. Clarence W. Bauknight Sr.; Rev. Wanda King, and Minister Christine Hardy were appointed to share clergy responsibilities.
Reverend Derrick R. Dumas was installed as the eighth pastor of First Baptist Church on February, 13, 2011. It’s evident, that God’s Word is the foundation of his ministry. His desire is to help families to grow through preaching, teaching, and practical application of God’s Word. Under his direction, the congregation is…”Moving Forward by Faith: Pressing Toward the Mark”… Philippians 3:14
