A Brief History of First Baptist Church
Looking Back at His Faithfulness!

1877 February 21 – First meeting held to set up a church
March 10 – Adopted name of church
April 9 – Organized with 21 charter members
Rev. Thomas Taylor called as first Pastor
1878 Church services held in Park Hall
First church building at Main Street and Bangs Avenue
Site was given by James Bradley
1879 July 20 – First service in new church
1881 Parsonage erected adjoining church (Cost: $1,350)
1882 Pews rented for use in the church
1892 First church bulletin published
1897 20 th Anniversary of the church
1903 Site on corner of Sewall & Emory was purchased for new church
1905 Above property sold; site on corner of Grand & Third bought
(Cost: $16,500)
1906 The cornerstone was laid on January 20
1907 Basement, dining room and kitchen were completed. The
Baptistery, a gift in memory of Mrs. Sarah Shipman, was started.
1908 An organ was purchased
July 20 – Baptistery was dedicated; organ heard for the first time
1911 November 2 – Church dedicated to the service of the Lord
1913 A parsonage next to the church on Third Avenue was built
1916 May 19 – a new covenant, constitution and by-laws adopted
1922 Baby dedication was held for the first time
1925 Liquidation of all church debts and the mortgage burned
1927 Jubilee (50 th ) Celebration of the church
1931 The first broadcast of the evening service on WCAP
1934 Pledges were discontinued in favor of free will offerings
1936 Renovation period as many repairs and changes; continued
until 1938
1940 New oil burner installed
1942 65 th Anniversary of the church
1943 Chimes, communion plates and new baptistery given by the
Rudewick family. Sign in pulpit area “That In All Things He Might
Have The Preeminence” put up

1944 Dining room renamed Fellowship Hall and refurbished as a
Christian Center
1946 New church organ installed
1962 75 th Anniversary of the church
1966 Parsonage at 807 Bendermere Avenue, Wanamassa, purchased
1967 Educational wing was built
1971 Rev. Paul Bramhall became Minister of Visitation
1973 Radio broadcast discontinued
1975 Mortgage burning of education wing debt
1976 Voted for use of church to the Central Jersey Christian School
1977 100 th Anniversary Celebration at the church
1986 Ceiling fans installed in sanctuary and chapel
1988 Awana Club started
1991 Painting of sanctuary and chapel
1992 “The Living Last Supper” present by men of the church
1993 Computer purchased; waterproofing of exterior of church; stained
glass windows repaired
1994 Rev. Robert Sampson became Minister of Visitation
1998 Voted to let Baptist International Bible Church (Filipino) use our
facilities. Property next to church on Grand Avenue was
purchased and building was demolished. May – the lot was paved
and dedicated; new carpeting laid in sanctuary/chapel; pews
refurbished; new pew Bibles; new kitchen installed at the
parsonage
1999 New carpet was laid in halls and offices; ladies’ bathroom
renovated; handicap bathroom put in by the nursery
2000 First Missions trip to Haiti; men’s bathroom renovated
2001 Special prayer meeting held in September for the Twin Towers
bombing in New York City
2002 Rev. Fred Vallette became Minister of Visitation as well as starting
a Spanish ministry while they are home on extended furlough
125 th Anniversary of the church
2003 March 1 – Pastor John Heald begins as youth pastor
2004 September 2 – Installation of Pastor NJ Rich
2005 April 30 – Church is part of “Houses of Worship” tour by the
Historical Society of Asbury Park
2006 March 12 – Felix Flavien voted in as Youth Intern/Haiti Ministries
June 26 – Mission trip to Haiti

2011 Pastor John Helm serves as interim pastor
2012 Ordination for Felix Flavien; October - vote taken for Pastor John
Helm to serve as new Senior Pastor
2013 April 14 – Installation service for Pastor John Helm
2015 Pastor Felix Flavien begins a teaching service in Creole/French
2016 Pastor Fred Vallette retires as Pastor of Spanish Ministry and is
named Pastor Emeritus; A Contemporary Service is added; Pastor
Joe Atiles leads this service and takes over the Spanish ministry
2018 Voted for use of church to College Achieve Public Charter School
2021 Pastor Felix Flavien to serve as new pastor
2023 Installation service for Pastor Felix Flavien