Bristol, Rhode Island
401.253.6131
A Rich Heritage
“The First Baptist Church in Bristol originated in the conscientious convictions of a pious physician, Dr. Thomas Nelson. He came to Bristol in the year 1801, and feeling the want of the church privileges to which he had been accustomed, he determined to remove, and with this end in view, sailed for New York. A terrific storm arose, the packet was wrecked, and all on board were lost except two, one of whom was Dr. Nelson. The impression made upon his mind was such that he felt himself another Jonah, having attempted in vain to flee from the presence of the Lord. This was at the close of 1807. He returned to Bristol and in a few years welcomed into the town a number of the same faith as himself. In 1811 there were enough, it was thought, to constitute a church, which was accordingly formed August 22 of that year, with twenty-three members. By the close of the following year this number was more than doubled. Preaching was maintained at intervals by different ministers, then statedly by the Rev. Simeon Coombs. Rev. James M. Winchell, the first Pastor, commenced his labors in October, 1812. By an act of marked courtesy on the part of Bishop Griswold, then Rector of St. Michael’s Church, the ordination services took place in that church, the sermon being preached by President Messer, of Brown University. At this time the Baptist place of worship was in the house of Dr. Nelson, on what is now State Street, a large upper room having been finished by him for the purpose. The house is still standing next east of the present Baptist parsonage. Meanwhile arrangements were made to build the substantial stone edifice still occupied by the church which was dedicated in November, 1814. The building is 45x65 feet, with an audience-room accommodating about five hundred; is tastefully frescoed, and furnished with a fine organ. There is a lecture-room below, with a committee-room adjoining.” – From an Historical Sketch by the Rev. Howard M. Jones.
[1] The Story of the Mount Hope Lands, by W. H. Munro 1977
Chronological History:
1801 - Dr. Thomas Nelson and family moved to Bristol seeking freedom to worship.
1811 - Dr. Nelson led in founding our church with 23 members.
1812 - Our church was incorporated.
1814 - Dedication of the Federal style Stone Chapel. Our present building is on land granted by the Town of Bristol. It was built with granite blocks, with a gable roof supported by post and beam construction held together with wooden pegs.
1816 - Sunday school was established.
1822 - A bell, cast by George H. Holbrook of Medway, Massachusetts, was purchased and raised to the belfry.
1830 - A revival doubled our church membership to 60 members.
1844 - The Reverend James Sykes was influential in establishing the first high school in Bristol.
1868 - A pipe organ was installed for $1,110.
1869 - The church spire was blown off in the "Great September Gale" and crashed through the roof.
1882 - Our meeting house was renovated and a single entrance designed and built.
1883 - The Bristol Fire Department used the church bell as the town fire alarm.
1919 - A tracker pipe organ was purchased from Calvary Baptist Church in Providence.
1921 - A Portuguse Mission rented the church for worship and Bible classes on Sunday afternoons.
1954 - Chapel by the Sea at Colt State Park was founded by our church. The East Bay Protestant Community was invited to participate in Sunday Evening Services.
1955 - Our meeting house was renovated with indirect lighting in the sanctuary.
1961 - We celebrated our 150th anniversary.
1981 - Reverend Frederick "Fred" Gilbert became our 44th pastor.
1983 - A revival of the Portuguese Christian Mission re-established worship on Wednesday and Sunday evenings.
1994 - Stained glass window borders were installed and the kitchen renovated.
1997 - The outside of the church was again renovated and a new bell cradle was installed; the original cradle lasted for 175 years!
2000 - Our tracker pipe organ, over 100 years old, was re-built.
2001 - After more than 20 years of dedicated service Reverend Fred Gilbert retired.
2002 - Jason D. Genest became the 45th pastor of our congregation.
2005 - Reverend Dr. Glenn Ramsey was called as Interim Pastor.
2006 - Pastor Nathaniel Manderson was called and began his first senior ministry with First Baptist Church on June 18th.
2006 - Reverend Fred Gilbert was installed as our first Pastor Emeritus on November 5th.
2008 - Held the first Ordination Ceremony in our written history for Reverand Nathanial Manderson.