1632-1983; bulk: 1665-1983
Guide to the Collection
Restrictions on Access
Many of the volumes in this collection are fragile and must be handled with care. Conservation is ongoing. For questions about handling materials, see a reference librarian.
Abstract
This collection consists of the records of the First Baptist Church of Boston, established in 1665 in Charlestown, Massachusetts.
Historical Sketch
The First Baptist Church of Boston is one of the oldest Baptist churches in the United States. It was organized in 1665 in Charlestown, Massachusetts. At that time, the formation of a new church in the Massachusetts Bay Colony without the approval of civil and church authorities was against the law, and members of the congregation were fined, imprisoned, and threatened with exile throughout its early years.
The congregation initially met in private homes, but in early 1679 moved to a new church building at the corner of Stillman and Salem Streets in Boston's North End. On 8 March 1680, colonial authorities sealed the doors of the church and posted a notice forbidding services there. The congregation met outside on the green next to the church until allowed to return to the building. A new, larger church was built on the same site in 1771. Between 1775 and 1776, the American Revolution scattered the congregation, and British troops used the church building as a barracks and a hospital.
In 1829, after 150 years at the same location, the First Baptist Church moved to a new meetinghouse on Hanover and Union Streets. The church moved again in 1854 to Somerset Street; in 1877 to Shawmut Avenue and Rutland Street, merging with the Shawmut Avenue Church; and finally, in 1882, to their current location on Commonwealth Avenue and Clarendon Street in the Back Bay. This building, built in 1872 and formerly used by Brattle Street Church, was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson and contains carvings by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.
Timeline of Pastors and Church Mergers
1665 |
First Baptist Church founded. |
1665-1675 |
Thomas Gould, pastor. |
1675-1676 |
John Russell, Sr., teaching elder. |
1676-1679 |
John Myles, acting pastor. |
1679-1680 |
John Russell, Jr., pastor. |
1680-1682 |
Ellis Callender and Edward Drinker, laymen. |
1682-1689 |
Isaac Hull, pastor. |
1684-1699 |
John Emblem, co-pastor. |
1694-1699 |
Isaac Hull, pastor. |
1699-1708 |
No settled pastor. |
1708-1726 |
Ellis Callender, pastor. |
1718-1738 |
Elisha Callender, pastor. |
1738-1764 |
Jeremiah Condy, pastor. |
1743 |
Second Baptist Church founded. |
1764-1807 |
Samuel Stillman, pastor. |
1807-1809 |
Joseph Clay, pastor. |
1809-1814 |
No settled pastor. |
1814-1820 |
James Manning Winchell, pastor. |
1821-1826 |
Francis Wayland, Jr., pastor. |
1827-1830 |
Cyrus Pitt Grosvenor, pastor. |
1831-1837 |
William Hague, pastor. |
1837-1877 |
Rollin Heber Neale, pastor. |
1840 |
Second Baptist Church is named Baldwin Place Baptist. The name of
the Second Baptist Society remains the same. Bowdoin Square Baptist founded. |
1856 |
Thirteenth Baptist Church founded. |
1859 |
Thirteenth Baptist moves to Shawmut Avenue and is known as
Shawmut Avenue Baptist. Shawmut Avenue Baptist Society votes to accept
incorporation. |
1863 |
Tentative plans to merge Shawmut Avenue Baptist with Rowe Street
Church are voted. Plan is contingent upon obtaining new property for a meeting house. There
is no indication the merger actually took place. |
1866 |
Baldwin Place Baptist moves to Canton Street and Warren Avenue
and later becomes known as Warren Avenue Baptist. Second Baptist Society keeps its
name. |
1873 |
Tabernacle Baptist Church of Boston is organized. |
1877 |
Shawmut Avenue Baptist merges with First Baptist and is called
First Baptist. |
1878-1884 |
Cephas Bennett Crane, pastor. |
1885-1893 |
Philip Stafford Moxom, pastor. |
1888 |
Service of recognition of Tabernacle Baptist held. |
1894-1899 |
Nathan Eusebius Wood, pastor. |
1900-1910 |
Francis Harold Rowley, pastor. |
1911 |
Tabernacle Baptist organized into a corporation. Bowdoin Square
Baptist sells all property to Tabernacle. |
1911-1925 |
Austen Kennedy de Blois, pastor. |
1912 |
Tabernacle Baptist votes to accept all real estate from Bowdoin
Square Baptist Society. Tabernacle and Warren Avenue Baptist merge. The united church is known as Tabernacle Baptist. Second Baptist Society keeps its name. |
1920 |
Second Baptist Society and Tabernacle Baptist Church merge with
First Baptist. |
1926-1938 |
Harold Major, pastor. |
1938-1940 |
Herbert S. Johnson, pastor. |
1940-1947 |
Harry Howard Kruener, pastor. |
1947-1956 |
John U. Miller, pastor. |
1958-1961 |
Edward L. Gunther, pastor. |
1961-1970 |
Charles W. Griffin, pastor. |
1971-1981 |
John Walter Sillen, pastor. |
1982-2001 |
Milton P. Ryder, pastor. |
2003-2006 |
Jay Warren Van Horn, pastor. |
2008-2014 |
Stephen Butler Murray, pastor. |
2016- |
John R. Odams, pastor. |
Select Biographies of Pastors
Thomas Gould (d. 1675) (or "Goold") of Charlestown, Massachusetts, was the primary founder and first pastor of the First Baptist Church of Boston, serving from 1665 to his death in 1675. He worked as a wagon maker and owned a large amount of property in Charlestown. Originally a Congregationalist, he split from that church over the issue of infant baptism. The first meetings of what later became the First Baptist Church were held in Gould's home. He was imprisoned multiple times for his beliefs.
Elisha Callender (1692-1738), pastor of the First Baptist Church from 1718 to 1738, was the son of pastor Ellis Callender. Elisha's ordination service was performed by Puritan ministers Increase Mather, Cotton Mather, and John Webb, signaling growing acceptance of the Baptists and friendlier relations with the Congregationalists. Callender graduated from Harvard College in 1710 and earned his A.M. in 1713, making him the first pastor of the church to have received a college education. The church grew so much under his leadership that the meetinghouse had to be enlarged and pews added.
Samuel Stillman (1737-1807) was pastor of the First Baptist Church from 1765 to 1807. In 1764, he was instrumental in the founding of Rhode Island College (now Brown University), serving as a trustee and fellow. Between 1775 and 1776, during the Siege of Boston, Stillman went to Philadelphia with his family, where he preached before the Continental Congress on 27 March 1776. He was elected in 1787 to represent Boston at the Massachusetts Ratifying Convention to debate the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. In 1802, he helped found the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society, the first Baptist missionary organization in America. In 1805, African American members of the First Baptist Church separated to establish the First African Baptist Church of Boston, the first Black Baptist church in the North. Stillman preached at the ordination of their pastor, Rev. Thomas Paul.
Francis Wayland, Jr. (1796-1865), the son of a Baptist minister, originally studied to be a doctor, but in 1816 left medicine and entered Andover Theological Seminary. He taught at Union College before serving as pastor of the First Baptist Church from 1821 to 1826, where he played a major role in the establishment of the Newton Theological Institution in 1825. Wayland encouraged foreign missionary work and advocated for anti-slavery causes, temperance, prison reform, and libraries. He was also the president of Brown University for 28 years.
Sources
Baptist History Homepage. "The First Baptist Church of Boston Since 1665." http://baptisthistoryhomepage.com/boston.fbc.history.html. Accessed 1 April 2020.
A Brief History of the First Baptist Church in Boston, with a List of Its Present Members. Boston: J. M. Hewes & Co., 1853.
First Baptist Church of Boston. "History of FBC Boston." https://www.firstbaptistboston.org/history.html. Accessed 1 April 2020.
Wells, Edwin P., ed. The Commemorative Services of the First Baptist Church of Boston, Massachusetts on the Occasion of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of Its Foundation. Boston: First Baptist Church, 1915.
Wood, Nathan E. The History of the First Baptist Church of Boston (1665-1899). Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1899.
Collection Description
This collection consists of the records of the First Baptist Church of Boston, established in 1665 in Charlestown, Massachusetts. The collection contains administrative records, including minute books, account books, reports, receipts, committee records, pew deeds, pew accounts, and correspondence; congregational records, including correspondence and membership lists; records of auxiliary church groups, such as the Sunday School, Chinese Sunday School, Stillman Singing Society, missionary societies, women's societies, and youth societies; printed material, church programs, and other records documenting the history of the church; marriage record books; and diaries of John Newhall kept from 1817 to 1825. The collection also contains records of four churches that merged with First Baptist Church of Boston over the years: Second Baptist Church of Boston, Bowdoin Square Baptist Church, Shawmut Avenue Baptist Church, and Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Arrangement Note
This collection was originally arranged in 1985 by Craig Cowing at the Andover Newton Theological School. Most of Cowing's arrangement has been retained for this collection guide.
The volumes and papers in this collection were previously numbered according to at least two different numbering systems, assigned at different times and inconsistently. These previous numbering systems have been disregarded in this guide and the volumes assigned a single sequence of numbers. For information about previous volume numbers, contact the library at reference@masshist.org.
Acquisition Information
Deposited by the First Baptist Church of Boston, February 2019.
Custodial History
Between 1941 and 2019, the records of the First Church of Boston were held on deposit at the Franklin Trask Library of Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, Massachusetts. In 2019, the collection was placed on deposit at the MHS.
The printed volume titled An Arrangement of the Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D.D. by James M. Winchell (1820) was deposited at Trask Library in 1998 and came to the MHS with the rest of the collection in 2019.
Restrictions on Access
Many of the volumes in this collection are fragile and must be handled with care. Conservation is ongoing. For questions about handling materials, see a reference librarian.
Detailed Description of the Collection
I. First Baptist Church administrative records, 1632-1981
This series includes the very first record book of the First Baptist Church of Boston, containing minutes from its founding in 1665.
A. Records of the church clerk, 1665-1981
Minute book, 1665-1799
Minute book, 1800-1831
Minute book, 1831-1855
Minute book, 1855-1881
Minute book, 1881-1911
Minute book, 1911-1943
Minute book, 1943-1960
Minutes, supporting documents, undated, 1785-1981
Correspondence, 1791-1826
Correspondence, 1827-1879
Correspondence, 1880-1924
B. Records of the treasurer, 1808-1945
Account book, 1862-1884
Account book, 1870-1877
Account book, 1877-1885
Account book, 1883-1884
Account book, 1883-1884
Account book, 1884-1889
Account book, 1885-1907
Account book, 1907-1913
Account book, 1914-1922
Weekly offerings account book, 1905
Weekly offerings account book, 1914-1916
Weekly offerings account book, 1917-1919
Weekly offerings, supporting documents, 1905-1919
Bank records, 1927-1945
Reports, 1813-1941
Receipts, 1828-1940
Subscriptions, 1808-1879
Correspondence, 1881-1942
Miscellaneous records
C. Records of the deacons, 1883-1955
Minute book, 1899-1915
Minute book, 1915-1923
Minute book, 1923-1932
Minute book, 1932-1947
Minutes, 1941-1947
Minutes, supporting documents, undated, 1883-1946
Account book, 1908-1921
Account book, 1922-1927
Account book, 1927-1930
Account book, 1930-1934
Account book, 1934-1938
Account book, 1938-1946
Account book, 1946-1950
Account book, 1950-1955
Financial reports, 1926-1951
D. Records of standing committees, 1842-1932
Arranged alphabetically.
Advisory Committee minute book, 1877-1915
Advisory Committee, general regulations (with changes), 1 September 1924
Benevolent Fund Committee reports, 1842-1900
Benevolent Fund Committee ledger, 1901-1906
Church Records Committee reports, 1847-1853
Foreign Missions Committee reports, 1847-1852
Lookout Committee reports, 1910-1911
Missionary Committee reports, 1866-1910
Nominating Committee reports, 1879-1932
Committees re: pastors, reports, 1871-1885
Poor Fund Committee reports, 1879-1886
Prayer Meeting Committee reports, 1895-1910
Prudential Committee reports, 1845-1853
Social Committee reports, 1910
E. Reports of ad hoc committees, undated, 1821-1924
F. Records of committees re: individuals, 1793-1897
Arranged alphabetically by last name.
Committee re: case of William H. Allen, 1897
Committee re: case of Brother Ambros, 1839
Committee re: case of Sally Batcheldor, 1848-1849
Committee re: case of Brother Bryant, 1812
Committee re: case of Richard P. Cifrie, 1885
Committee re: case of Frederic N. Cheney, 1896
Committee re: case of Brother Dorr, undated
Committee re: case of Mary Ann and Susan Dyer, 1847
Committee re: case of John Gair, 1831
Committee re: case of Mary Holmes, 1793
Committee re: case of William C. Holmes, 1847
Committee re: case of Isaac H. Jones, 1877
Committee re: case of R. H. Neale, Jr., 1871
Committee re: case of Brother Orcutt, 1807
Committee re: case of Isaac Robbins, undated
Committee re: case of Mark Salom, undated
Committee re: case of Nancy Smith, undated, 1810
Committee re: case of Prince Snow, 1822
Committee re: case of John Wait, undated, 1811-1813
G. Records of committee re: union with Shawmut Avenue Baptist Church, undated, 1877
H. Records concerning incorporation and property, 1632-1945
Documents re: incorporation of the Society, 1900
Deeds, 1632-1927
Appraisals, 1925-1942
Insurance documents, 1826-1829
Receipts re: rental property, 1942-1945
Property, 1788-1870
Proposition for First Baptist Church in Boston to become life director of the New England Baptist Library, by Samuel N. Brown, undated
Appointment of William H. Foster as lawful attorney of Nancy Partridge, 27 April 1877
Writ enforcing claim of Robert Parkin against Leonard Monard, 10 September 1881
II. First Baptist Society administrative records, 1767-1960
The First Baptist Society was the Proprietors of Pews prior to 1900. The Proprietors first appear in the records in 1771; they were a committee most likely appointed to handle financial affairs related to the meetinghouse built that year. In 1900, the Society was incorporated to continue the financial work of the Proprietors. The Society and Church merged and incorporated in 1960.
A. Records of the clerk, Proprietors of Pews, 1771-1960
Minute book, 1771-1830
Minute book, 1829-1890
Minute book, 1891-1900
Minute book, 1900-1960
Loose pages from minute book, 1900-1960
Loose minutes, 1799-1960
Minutes, supporting documents, 1784-1960
Correspondence, 1784-1960
B. Records of the treasurer, Proprietors of Pews, 1767-1954
i. Account books, 1784-1924
Account book, 1784-1792
Account book, 1792-1806
Account book, 1806-1829
Account book, 1829-1883
Account book, 1919-1924
Account book, 1924
Endowment Fund account book, 1904-1923
Loose pages from Endowment Fund account book, 1904-1923
ii. Financial records, 1784-1954
Treasurer's reports, 1808-1916
Handwritten drafts and letters from treasurer, 1882-1895
Audit reports, 1945-1954
Receipts, 1801-1843
Receipts, 1844-1916
Letters re: deposit of silver at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1941
Subscriptions, 1800-1882
Correspondence, 1784-1888
Correspondents include William E. Gutterson, Samuel N. Brown, Sarah F. Dix, E. R. Kimball, C. P. Metcalf, Norcross Brothers, H. H. Richardson, and others.
Correspondence, 1889-1896
The primary correspondent is William E. Gutterson.
Memoranda, 1815-1882
Miscellaneous records, undated, 1793-1929
iii. Pew deeds and transfers, 1767-1944
Arranged chronologically, then by pew number.
First meeting house, Back St. (Salem St.), 1767-1770
Second meeting house, Back St. (Salem St.), pew nos. 1-60, 1771-1828
Second meeting house, Back St. (Salem St.), pew nos. 61-140, 1771-1829
Third meeting house, Hanover St., pew nos. 1-50, 1829-1844
Third meeting house, Hanover St., pew nos. 51-138, 1829-1850
Fourth meeting house, Somerset St., 1855-1883
Fifth meeting house, Shawmut Ave., 1866-1887
Sixth meeting house, Commonwealth Ave., 1874-1944
Included are seating charts.
Book of deeds, 1882-1884
Book of deeds, 1882-1886
Book of deeds, 1886
Book of deeds, 1890-1936
iv. Pew rental accounts, 1782-1947
These volumes list accounts by pew number, and entries are chronological within each pew.
Pew accounts book, 1782-1783
Pew accounts book, 1783-1784
Pew accounts book, 1784-1790
Loose pages from pew accounts book, 1784-1790
Pew accounts book, 1790-1791, followed by account book, 1792-1806
Pew accounts book, 1791-1794
Pew accounts book, 1794-1797
Pew accounts book, 1797-1802
Pew accounts book, 1802-1806
Pew accounts book, 1805-1810
Pew accounts book, 1810-1816
Pew accounts book, 1817-1829
Pew accounts, second meeting house, 1783-1827
Pew accounts book, 1829-1845
Pew accounts, third meeting house, 1828-1854
Included are receipts for stock in the meeting house and stock certificates.
Pew accounts book, 1855-1878
Pew accounts, fourth meeting house, 1873-1882
Pew accounts, fifth meeting house, 1871-1880
Pew accounts book, 1882-1886
Pew accounts, sixth meeting house, 1882-1947
Included are pew assignments and receipts for subscriptions.
C. Records of the Standing Committee, Proprietors of Pews, 1771-1960
The Standing Committee was also known as the Committee or the Executive Committee.
Minute book, 1810-1829
Minute book, 1829-1853
Minute book, 1853-1892
Minute book, 1892-1900
Minute book, 1900-1922
Minute book, 1922-1940
Minute book, 1940-1957
Minutes, 1958-1960
Reports, 1771-1859
Minutes, supporting documents, 1814-1933
Correspondence, 1886-1889
Receipts for keys, 1915-1923
D. Records of the Building Committee, 1828-1893
Minutes, 1853-1854
Account book, 1882-1892
Reports and supporting documents, 1828-1893
Receipts, 1828-1830
E. Report of the By-Laws Committee, undated
III. Congregational records, 1786-1959
A. Membership letters, 1809-1917
Arranged alphabetically.
Unnamed, large groups, 1827-1882
Letters, A-D, 1809-1916
Letters, E-O, 1821-1917
Letters, P-Z, 1814-1917
B. Membership lists, 1824-1924
Included are 18 small printed booklets containing member lists, the church's covenant and articles of faith, and historical sketches.
Handwritten lists, 1824-1911
Names of Members of the First Baptist Church in Boston, with Dates of Admission, and Places of Residence. Boston: True and Greene, 1833.
A Brief History of the First Baptist Church in Boston, with a List of the Present Members. Boston: Torrey & Blair, 1839.
2 copies.A Brief History of the First Baptist Church in Boston, with a List of Its Present Members. Boston: S. N. Dickinson, 1843.
A Brief History of the First Baptist Church in Boston, with a List of the Present Members. Boston: J. M. Hewes & Co., 1853.
2 copies.Manual, with Historical Sketch, of the First Baptist Church, Boston. Church Covenant and Articles of Faith, Together with List of Present Members. Boston: Rand, Avery, & Co., 1880.
Historical Sketch of the First Baptist Church, Boston. Church Covenant and Articles of Faith, with List of Present Members. Boston: C. A. Heyer & Son, 1886.
Historical Sketch of the First Baptist Church, Boston: With the Church Covenant, Articles of Faith, and a List of Present Members. Boston: S. G. Robinson, 1891.
2 copies.Historical Sketch of the First Baptist Church, Boston, with the Church Covenant, Articles of Faith, and a List of Present Members. Boston: Geo. E. Crosby & Co., 1898.
List of Members of the First Baptist Church Boston. [Boston: n.p.], 1906.
List of Members of the First Baptist Church Boston. [Boston: n.p.], 1910.
2 copies.List of Members of the First Baptist Church Boston. [Boston: n.p.], 1913.
List of Members of the First Baptist Church Boston. [Boston: n.p.], 1917.
List of Members of the First Baptist Church Boston. [Boston: n.p.], 1919.
List of Members of the First Baptist Church in Boston with the Affiliated Organizations Covenant and General Regulations. [Boston: n.p.], 1924.
C. Deaths, 1814-1892
D. Wills and supporting documents, 1786-1959
Arranged alphabetically.
Badger, William C., 1934
Bennett, Susan M., 1925
Brown, Avis, 1792
Chick, Isaac, 1929
Converse, Costello C., 1931
Elliott, S. Maria, 1942
Faxon, Nathaniel, 1828
Fitch, Mary Alice, 1959
Foster, Clara A., 1938
Foster, Louisa V., 1939
Hicks, Zechariah, 1828
Luere, John, 1823
Major, Harold, 1929
Ordway, William P., 1940
Powell, Marie R., 1955
Read, Sara C., 1957
Sonnabend, Abraham M., 1924
Tudor, John, 1791
Wells, Elizabeth, 1786
IV. Records of church groups, 1798-1981
A. Records of the Sunday School, 1817-1960
i. Records of the clerk, 1834-1960
Minute book, 1834-1837
Minute book, 1837-1839
Minute book, 1844-1845
Minute book, 1849
Minute book, 1852-1870
Minute book, 1870-1894
Minute book, 1894-1920
Minute book, 1909-1914
Minutes, 1952-1960
Reports, 1848-1909
Reports of votes, 1846-1908
Reports to Boston North Sabbath School Teacher's Association, 1862-1877
Reports to Massachusetts Sunday School Association, 1905-1908
Correspondence, 1864-1924
Record book, 1840-1868
This record book includes constitutions and by-laws, 1840-1868, and names of teachers, male scholars, 1840-1847, and female scholars, 1840-1851.
List of students and teachers, 1870-1876
List of students and teachers, 1873-1877
Lists of names and addresses, undated, 1846-1908
ii. Financial records, 1817-1959
Account book, 1914-1920
Account book, 1958-1959
Checkbook register, 1948-1952
Checkbook register, 1952-1955
Deposit slips, 1949-1954
Bank statements, 1951-1955
Bank service charges and checks, 1951-1955
Reports, undated, 1817-1959
Benevolent Fund report, 1896-1897
Receipts, 1817-October 1889
Receipts, November 1889-1894
Receipts, 1951-1955
Correspondence, 1874, 1951-1955
iii. Attendance records, 1842-1927
Arranged chronologically.
Undated
Female Department, 1842-1845
Male Department, 1842-1845
1864
1868-1869
1870-1877
1876-1881
1878-1879
1880-1881
1880-1881
1883
1883-1884
1884-1885
1886-1892
Included are notations of deaths and a list of officers.
1890-1891
1891-1894
Class no. 1, January 1895
Class no. 6, January 1895
Class no. 10, January 1895
Class no. 10, April 1895
Class no. 6, 1896-1897
Class no. 9, 1896-1897
Class no. 10, 1896-1897
Class no. 14, 1896-1897
Class no. 6, 1900-1901
Class no. 9, 1900-1901
Class no. 11, 1900-1901
Class no. 4, 1901-1902
Boy's class, 1904-1909
1919
1925-1927
Quarterly attendance sheets, 1885-1887
Miscellaneous attendance sheets, undated, September 1879
iv. Printed material, 1868-1926
Included are programs, advertisements, booklets, tickets, notices, and other printed items.
B. Records of the Sabbath School Society for the Instruction of Indigent Boys, 1816-1848
The Sabbath School Society for the Instruction of Indigent Boys was founded in 1816. Lessons included reading, spelling, arithmetic, and the doctrines of the church. The students were also provided with books and clothing and were required to attend church services.
Minute book, 1816-1848
Included are membership lists.
List of teachers, undated
C. Records of the Sabbath School Mission Society, 1837-1895
Minute book, 1849-1864
Minute book, 1864-1874
Minute book, 1874-1882
Annual report, 1875
Correspondence, 1869-1888
Reports of missionaries, 1866-1877
Included are reports of F. M. Haygood, 1866-1868, and reports and correspondence of A. G. Williams, 1870-1877.
List of officers, 1849-1877
Records of donations, 1837-1839
Treasurer's reports, 1873-1893
Receipts, 1877-1895
D. Records of the Chinese Sunday School, 1940-1963
The Chinese Sunday School, founded in 1889 at the Warren Avenue Tabernacle, came to be part of the First Baptist Church when it merged with the Tabernacle in 1920. Lessons included the English language and the Bible. Many of those involved with the school became leaders of the church.
Minutes, 1942-1944
Correspondence, 1944-1963
Lists of members, undated, 1952-1953
Attendance book, 1947-1952
Attendance sheets, 1949-1956
Account book, 1941-1961
Receipts, 1940-1961
Printed material and miscellaneous records, 1949-1962
Included are histories of the Chinese Sunday School, a report by the Christian Welfare and Relief Council on the Chinese refugee situation in Hong Kong (1962), an undated copy of the Chinese national anthem, newspaper clippings, and other items.
E. Records of the Stillman Singing Society, 1798-1827
Minute book, 1798-1806
Minute book, 1806-1814
Minute book, 1814-1817
Minute book, 1817-1827
Miscellaneous records, undated
F. Records of Woman's Benevolent Societies, 1841-1954
The Ladies Sewing Circle, later the Ladies Mission Circle and the Ladies Benevolent Circle, was organized in 1841 to provide clothing for the poor, to engage in other charitable work, and as a social outlet for women of the church. Its members aided sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War. The group was later combined with the Woman's Foreign Mission Circle to form the Woman's Benevolent and Missionary Society in 1887.
i. Constitutions and by-laws, undated, 1921
Included are handwritten and printed copies of constitutions and by-laws of the Woman's Missionary Society, Woman's Benevolent and Missionary Society, Woman's Society, and Women's Benevolent Society of the First Baptist Church.
ii. Records of the clerk, 1841-1948
Sewing Circle minute book, 1841-1865
Ladies Mission Circle minute book, 1865-1887
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society minute book, 1877-1887
Woman's Benevolent and Missionary Society minute book, 1888-1905
Woman's Benevolent and Missionary Society minute book, 1905-1916
Woman's Benevolent and Missionary Society minute book, 1916-1932
Woman's Benevolent and Missionary Society minute book, 1920-1932
Woman's Benevolent and Missionary Society minute book, 1932-1942
Minutes, supporting documents, undated, 1862, 1921
Correspondence, 1857-1948
iii. Records of the treasurer, 1859-1954
Account book, 1894-1909
Account book, 1909-1920
Account book, 1938-1944
Reports, 1859-1947
Bank statements, 1946-1954
Receipts, 1905-1949
iv. Printed material, undated, 1948
G. Records of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, 1892-1931
Minute book, 1892-1894
Minute book, 1895-1896
Minute book, 1896-1899
Minute book, 1899-1900
Minute book, 1929-1931
Executive Committee reports, undated, 1899
Clerk reports, 1896-1910
Committee reports, 1896-1910
Correspondence, 1899-1905
Account book, 1903-1907
Treasurer's reports, 1898-1911
Printed material and miscellaneous records, undated, 1900
H. Records of the Young Women's Missionary Society, 1921-1975
Constitution, undated
Minute book, 1921-1935
Reports of minutes, undated
Committee reports, 1929-1975
Treasurer's report, 1929
I. Records of the Farther Lights Society, 1901-1915
Minute book, 1901-1915
Correspondence, undated
J. By-laws of the Commonwealth Guild, undated
K. Records of the Board of Christian Education, 1978-1981
V. Historical records, 1801-1983
A. History of the church, 1816-1977
Arranged chronologically.
"Church Book / Containing a brief account of the first Baptist Church in Boston before and at the time of my connexion with them, a list of all the members then belonging to it, & also of those since received by Baptism or otherwise," by James M. Winchell, June 1816-February 1819
Manuscript volume.Winchell, James M., A.M. Two Discourses Exhibiting an Historical Sketch of the First Baptist Church in Boston, From Its First Formation in Charlestown, 1665, to the Beginning of 1818. 2nd edition. Boston: James Loring, 1820.
A Brief History of the First Baptist Church in Boston, With a List of Its Present Members. Boston: Samuel N. Dickson, 1843.
Neale, Rollin Heber, D.D. An Address Delivered on the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Organization of the First Baptist Church, Boston, June 7, 1865. Boston: Gould and Lincoln, 1865.
Crane, Cephas B., D.D. Bi-Centenary Commemoration, Sunday, March 21, 1880, of the Reopening of the First Baptist Meeting-House in Boston, After Its Doors Had Been "Nailed Up" by Order of the Governor and Council of the Colony of Massachusetts, March 8th, 1680. Boston: Tolman & White, 1880.
Wells, Edwin P., ed. The Commemorative Services of the First Baptist Church of Boston, Massachusetts on the Occasion of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of Its Foundation. Boston: First Baptist Church of Boston, 1915.
De Blois, Austen Kennedy. The First Baptist Church in Boston / A Brief Review and Outlook for the Years 1910-1925. Boston, 1925.
Tolliday, Sadie Lavers. Reminiscences. Judson Press, [1940].
275th anniversary of First Baptist Church, 1940
Script, historical pageant, 1940
300th anniversary of First Baptist Church, 1965
Script, historical pageant: "Called to Freedom: A Dramatization of Three Hundred Years of History of the First Baptist Church of Boston," 1965
Boston bicentennial, 1975
150th anniversary of Andover-Newton, 1975
"First Night," 1976-1977
B. Published material from the church, 1801-1980
Sacred Performances at the Dedication of the Baptist Meeting-House in Charlestown, May 12, 1801. Consisting of an Introductory Address, by Jedidiah Morse, D.D. A Sermon, Adapted to the Occasion, by Samuel Stillman, D.D. And an Address on the Recognition of the Church, by Thomas Baldwin. Boston: Manning & Loring, 1801.
A Summary Declaration of the Faith and Practice of the First Baptist Church in Boston. Boston: Manning & Loring, 1803.
Clay, Joseph, A.M. A Discourse, Delivered in the First Baptist Meeting-House in Boston, on Wednesday, August 19, 1807, on the Occasion of His Installation to the Pastoral Care of the First Baptist Church and Society in Said Town. Boston: Manning and Loring, 1807.
Baldwin, Thomas, D.D. The Christian Ministry. A Sermon, Delivered on Wednesday, March 30, 1814, in the First Baptist Meeting-House in Boston, at the Installation of the Rev. James M. Winchell. Boston: Manning & Loring, 1814.
Wayland, F., Jr. The Moral Dignity of the Missionary Enterprise. A Sermon Delivered Before the Boston Baptist Foreign Mission Society on the Evening of October 26, and Before the Salem Bible Translation Society on the Evening of November 4, 1823. Boston: James Loring, 1826.
Grosvenor, Cyrus Pitt. Rev. Mr. Grosvenor's Address. Delivered in Boston, Oct. 21, 1828, on the Occasion of Laying the Corner Stone of a New Meeting House for the First Baptist Church and Society. Boston, 1828.
Grosvenor, Cyrus Pitt. A Sermon Delivered at the Dedication of the New Meeting House of the First Baptist Church and Society, Union Street, Boston, June 18, A.D. 1829. Boston: True and Greene, 1829.
Proceedings of the Second Annual Baptist Autumnal Conference for the Discussion of Current Questions, at the First Baptist Church, Boston, Mass., November 13, 14, 15, 1883. Boston: Baptist Missionary Rooms, 1883.
Moxom, Philip S. First Anniversary Sermon to the First Baptist Church, Boston, Preached Oct. 3d, 1886. Boston: C. H. Simonds & Co., 1886.
2 copies.In Memoriam. Deacon James Wheaton Converse and Deacon Lansing Mills. Boston: First Baptist Church, 1896.
Church programs, 1900-1902
Bound volume.Church programs, 1914
Bound volume.Church programs, 1885-1980
Christmas Fair and Santa Lucia Festival, 1972-1980
Concerts, 1973-1980
Lecture series, 1974-1980
Art exhibits, 1974-1980
January church nights, 1975-1980
First Baptist Church benevolent contributions, 1893-1895
National Register of Historic Places certificate and supporting documents, 1972
Certificate of appreciation from Back Bay Aging Concerns, 1973
C. Newspaper clippings and graphics, 1865-1982
Scrapbook of newspaper clippings, undated, 1865-1923
Articles about the First Baptist Church, 1965-1982
Pictures, undated
D. Miscellaneous records, 1828, 1963-1965
"A List of Sermons &c deposited in the leaden box under the Corner Stone of the New Meeting House erecting on the corner of Hanover & Union Streets in Boston," 21 October 1828
The American Baptist Magazine, No. IX, Vol. VIII, September 1828
A manuscript inscription on this pamphlet reads: "Placed under corner stone of church in Union Street, 1828."
Miscellaneous printed material, 1963-1965
E. Microfilmed material, 1960-1983
This material consists primarily of meeting minutes, reports, and correspondence, including papers related to the ministry of J. Walter Sillen between 1971 and 1981.
VI. Records of pastors, 1742-1981
A. Marriage record books, 1761-1879
Arranged chronologically.
Samuel Stillman, 1761-1789
James M. Winchell, 1814
Francis Wayland, 1821-1826
Rollin H. Neale, 1838-1855
Rollin H. Neale, 1853-1879
B. Diaries of John Newhall, 1817-1825
These diaries kept by John Newhall begin as detailed notes on sermons preached at the First Baptist Church in Boston, as well as other churches, including Biblical text and pastor. The third volume contains more diary-like entries, primarily related to events at First Baptist. The diaries were probably kept by the same John Newhall that left a bequest in 1874 to the First Church of Boston and the Sunday School.
1817-1818
1818-1820
1823-1825
C. Correspondence, 1742-1971
D. Miscellaneous papers, undated, 1820, 1874-1895
Winchell, James M., A.M. An Arrangement of the Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D.D. to Which Are Added Indexes, Very Much Enlarged and Improved, to Facilitate the Use of the Whole in Finding Psalms or Hymns, Suited to Particular Subjects or Occasions. 2nd ed. Boston: Lincoln & Edmands and James Loring, 1820.
Hymns, addresses, and resolutions, undated, 1874-1895
Printed and manuscript.E. Papers of J. Walter Sillen, 1973-1981
Included are letters of J. Walter Sillen and papers related to his retirement.
VII. Records of affiliated churches, 1757-1931
This series contains records of churches that merged with First Baptist Church of Boston. For a timeline of church mergers, see the Historical Sketch above.
A. Second Baptist Church of Boston records, 1757-1931
i. Legal papers, 1757-1807
Deeds, 1762-1807
Wills, 1757-1783
ii. Records of the clerk, 1774-1913
Record of vote and minutes, 1774, 1828
Minute book, 1788-1809
Minute book, 1833-1847
Minute book, 1847-1856
Minute book, 1856-1880
Minute book, 1881-1910
W.H.S. to Mr. Curtis, undated
Minute book, 1911-1913
iii. Records of the treasurer, 1814-1913
Account book, income and expenses, Second Baptist Church, Boston, 1834-1840, and Baldwin Place Baptist Church, 1840-1851
Account book, income and expenses, Second Baptist Church and Warren Avenue, Boston, 1870-1888
Ledger, 1881-1884
Account book, dues, 1892-1913
Widows Fund account, 1814
Miscellaneous financial records, undated, 1909-1912
iv. Committee records, 1849-1913
Examining Committee minute book, 1849-1862
Prudential Committee minute book, 1877-1891
Prudential Committee minute book, 1892-1905
Prudential Committee minute book, 1911-1913
Repair Committee minute book, 1898
Clarendon Street Union Committee minutes, 1901-1913
v. Congregational records, 1827-1912
Register of members, 1832-1882
Register of members, 1882-1898
Roll call, 1900-1904
Miscellaneous congregational records, 1827-1912
Printed and manuscript.vi. Records of church groups, 1850-1931
Sunday School, 1850-1902
Weekly record book, 1892-1897
Weekly record book, 1897-1902
Kingsbury Fund account book, 1891-1896
Miscellaneous records, 1850-1902
Chinese Sunday School, 1892-1931
Weekly record book, 1892-1894
Weekly record book, 1908-1917
Account book, 1892-1913
Account book, mission to China, 1894-1908
Account book, mission to China, 1908-1931
Lesson book, undated
This print volume contains lessons on writing and speaking English and has been filled out in manuscript. Included are Chinese characters.
Miscellaneous records, 1907-1909
Hall Bible Class for Men, undated
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, 1895-1911
Minute book, 1904-1908
Loose minutes, 1903-1910
Correspondence, 1904-1911
List of officers, undated
Account book, 1907-1910
Treasurer's reports and miscellaneous forms, 1905-1910
Floral Committee report, undated
Lookout Committee reports, 1902-1910
Missionary Committee reports, 1905-1910
Music Committee reports, 1904-1910
Prayer Meeting Committee reports, 1895-1906
Sick and Absentee Committee reports, 1905-1910
Social Committee reports, 1903-1910
Ladies Benevolent Society, 1907-1920
Account book, 1907-1920
Expenses, undated
Woman's Missionary Society, 1902-1920
Minute book, 1902-1919
Miscellaneous records, undated, 1910-1920
vii. Historical records, 1854-1912
Printed material and manuscript histories, undated, 1865-1912
Caldicott, T. F., D.D. A Concise History of the Baldwin Place Baptist Church, Together With the Articles of Faith and Practice. Also an Alphabetical and Chronological Calendar of the Present Members. Boston: Wm. H. Hutchinson, 1854.
2 copies, one signed by the author.viii. Records of pastors, 1790-1865
Charge to Thomas Baldwin on his installation as minister, 1790
Baldwin, Thomas, D.D. A Discourse Delivered in the Second Baptist Meeting-house in Boston, on the First Lord's Day in January, 1824. With an Appendix, Containing Historical Sketches of the Church and Society, from Their Commencement to the Present Time. Boston: Lincoln & Edmands, 1824.
Chessman, Daniel, A.M. Memoir of Rev. Thomas Baldwin, D.D. Late Pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Boston, Who Died at Waterville, Maine, Aug. [29], 1925. With an Appendix, Containing Letters and Hymns. 2nd ed. Boston: Elder John Peak, 1841.
Stow, Baron. A Discourse, Delivered at the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Organization of the Baldwin Place Baptist Church, July 27, 1843. With an Appendix. Boston: Gould, Kendall and Lincoln, 1843.
Eddy, Daniel C. The Memorial Sermon Preached in the Baldwin-Place Meeting House on the Last Sabbath of Its Occupancy by the Second Baptist Church. With an Appendix. Boston: Graves & Young, 1865.
ix. Second Baptist Society records, 1789-1920
These four boxes were arranged separately when the collection was placed on deposit at the MHS, but have been incorporated into this subseries because of the overlap in content. Second Baptist Society is another name for Second Baptist Church.
Printed by-laws, 1888, 1899
Minute book, 1789-1793
Minute book, 1829-1847
Minute book, 1863-1888
Minute book, 1904-1920
Ledger A, 1866-1874
Ledger B, 1874-1881
Cash account ledger, 1846-1853
Cash account ledger, 1874-1884
Miscellaneous financial records, undated, 1876
Cash account ledger, 1884-1900
Cash account ledger, 1901-1917
Cash account ledger, 1919-1920
Miscellaneous financial records, 1878-1918
Standing Committee minute book, 1904-1919
Miscellaneous committee records, 1876-1916
Pew deeds record book, 1866-1898
Records of pew deeds, 1867-1898
B. Bowdoin Square Baptist Church records, 1840-1912
i. Administrative records, 1849-1885
Articles of Faith and Covenant, of the Bowdoin Square Baptist Church, with a List of the Members. Boston: Damrell & Moore, 1849.
Meeting minute book, 1877-1885
Meeting notes, undated
Sunday School teachers minute book, 1863-1885, and account book, 1863-1875
ii. Historical records, 1840-1843
Hague, William. Public Worship. A Discourse Delivered at the Dedication of the Baptist Church in Bowdoin Square, Boston. November 5, 1840. Boston: Gould, Kendall, and Lincoln, 1840.
Bowdoin Square Church Book: Comprising a Brief History of the Formation and Organizations of the Church; a List of Its Members; Its Articles of Faith, Covenant, Etc. Boston: Samuel N. Dickinson, 1843.
2 copies.iii. Bowdoin Square Baptist Society records, 1840-1912
These four boxes were arranged separately when the collection was placed on deposit at the MHS, but have been incorporated into this subseries because of the overlap in content. Bowdoin Square Baptist Society is another name for Bowdoin Square Baptist Church.
Deeds, indentures, etc., 1865-1909
Minute book, 1840-1911
Minutes, 1885-1887
Ledger, 1841-1875
Ledger, 1875-1911
Treasurer's reports, 1842-1881
Miscellaneous treasurer's records, undated, 1873-1910
Book of pew deeds, 1843-1911
Pew deeds, 1843-1909
Pew ledger, 1841-1859
Pew ledger, 1860-1874
Miscellaneous pew records, 1851-1906
Standing Committee minute book, 1840-1912
C. Shawmut Avenue Baptist Church records, 1855-1887
i. Administrative records, 1856-1877
Minute book, 1856-1858
Minute book, 1858-1875
Included is a manuscript copy of the church covenant and confession of faith.
Minute book, 1876-1877
ii. Financial records, 1863-1877
Pew ledger (rents and taxes), 1863-1864
Receipts, vouchers, etc., 1865-1873
Receipts, checks, letters, and financial statements, 1868-1877
iii. Committee records, 1876-1877
Centennial Committee records, 1876
Prudential Committee minute book, 1867-1877
iv. Congregational records, 1856-1877
Church members, chronological and alphabetical, 1856-1877
Church members and addresses, alphabetical, 1863-1872
A Brief History of the Shawmut Avenue Baptist Church, Boston; With the Declaration of Faith, the Church Covenant, and List of Members. Boston, 1868.
Church members received and dismissed, chronological, 1869-1876
Catalogue of the Officers and Members of the Shawmut-Avenue Baptist Church, Boston, Mass. 1876-77. Boston: Albert J. Wright, 1876.
Miscellaneous congregational records, 1876
Letter book, 1856-1866, index, pp. 1-50
Letter book, 1856-1866, pp. 51-220
Letter book, 1866-1877, index, pp. 1-200
Letter book, 1866-1877, pp. 201-402
v. Records of church groups, 1855-1877
Sunday School, 1855-1877
The Sunday School record books listed below are printed volumes filled out in manuscript. They vary slightly from each other, but contain similar information. Included are registers of scholars with names, ages, parents' names and occupations, addresses, and additional notes. Also included are attendance logs and minutes, consisting of weekly records of hymns, prayers, and lessons, with diary-like entries and other information.
Teachers meeting minutes, 1855-1877
Seating chart, undated
Receiving book, 1855-1864
Included are notations of which scholars left to enlist for the Civil War.
Record book, 1855-1857
Record book, 1860
Record book, 1861
Record book, infant class, 1862
Record book, 1862
Record book, 1863
Record book, 1864
Record book, 1865
Record book, 1866
Record book, 1867
Record book, 1868
Record book, 1869
Record book, 1870
Record book, 1871
Record book, 1872
Record book, 1872-1873
Record book, 1876
Notes on attendance, undated, 1876
Secretary's reports, 1860-1876
Clerk correspondence, 1867-1876
Missionary correspondence, 1871-1877
Included is correspondence related to missionary work in Myanmar (Burma), Georgia (U.S.), and Tokyo, Japan.
Cash book, 1860-1875
Treasurer's reports, 1863-1876
Special accounts, 1864-1872
Receipts, 1863-1872
Receipts, 1873-1877
Printed material and miscellaneous records, 1866-1876
Ladies Benevolent Society, 1856-1877
Minute book, 1856-1873
Minute book, 1874-1877
vi. Historical records, 1871
vii. Shawmut Avenue Baptist Society records, 1859-1887
These four boxes were arranged separately when the collection was placed on deposit at the MHS, but have been incorporated into this subseries because of the overlap in content. Shawmut Avenue Baptist Society is another name for Shawmut Avenue Baptist Church.
Deed, 1860
Minute book, 1859-1877
This volume includes minutes of the Standing Committee, 1860-1877.
Minute book, 1864
Clerk's reports, [186?]-1877
Cash ledger, 1860-1868
Ledger, 1865-1878
This volume also includes accounts of William E. Gutterson, 1884-1889.
Treasurer's reports, 1865-1876
Treasurer correspondence, 1864-1874
Subscriptions, 1860-1864
Subscription book, 1865-1867
Receipts, 1864-1868
Receipts, 1870-1874
Book of pew scrips, 1860-1862
Stock book (valuation of pews), 1882-1887
This volume also contains accounts of society stock, 1859-1866, memoranda of scrips, 1860, and accounts of William E. Gutterson, 1890-1894.
Record of pew deeds, 1866-1887
Pew deeds, 1866-1867
Stock book, 1866-1868
Weekly offerings, 1876-1881
Accounts of pew valuations, [ca. 1860s]
Miscellaneous accounts, 1874-1876
Miscellaneous pew information, 1868-1876
Included are diagrams of pew assignments, 1874-1876.
D. Tabernacle Baptist Church records, 1887-1920
A. By-laws, 1911
B. Records of the clerk, 1887-1920
Minute book, 1887-1896
Minute book, 1897-1911
Minute book, 1911-1917
Minute book, 1918-1920
Reports, 1895-1908
Correspondence, 1898-1912
List of officers, undated
C. Records of the treasurer, 1887-1920
Account book, 1887-1913
Account book, 1913-1920
Annual reports, 1895-1912
Poor Fund reports, 1902-1911
Report of the societies of Tabernacle Church, 1908
Receipts, 1894-1912
D. Committee records, 1887-1920
This subseries contains reports, minutes, and other records of ten standing committees and two ad hoc committees (Anniversary and War Service Committees).
Baptism Committee reports, 1897-1910
Communion Committee report, 1910
Finance Committee reports, 1902-1906
Flower Mission reports, 1902-1912
House Committee reports, 1902-1908
Music Committee reports, 1902-1910
Nominating Committee report, 1906
Prudential Committee minute book, 1887-1895
Prudential Committee minute book, 1895-1911
Prudential Committee minute book, 1911-1920
Prudential Committee report, 1896
Committee on the Sick reports, 1902-1904
Social Committee reports, 1896-1910
Anniversary Committee list of members, 1897
War Service Committee resolution, with list of members, undated
E. Congregational records, 1898-1919
Arranged alphabetically.
Member cards contain the names and addresses of members, as well as other information such as when they joined or left the church, their marital status, the size of their family, and how many in the family are Christian and/or attend church. Cards for some members of Chinese descent are filed at the end of the alphabetical sequence.
Letters of reception and dismissal, 1898-1912
Member cards, A-K, ca. 1914-1919
Member cards, L-Z, ca. 1914-1919
F. Records of church groups, 1896-1912
Believers Meeting reports, 1902-1911
Bible School reports, 1896-1912
Church and Missionary Work reports, 1903-1904
Girls Free Industrial School report, 1896
Junior Baptist Union report, 1896
King's Daughters reports, 1896-1908
Ladies' Benevolent Society reports, 1903-1912
Ladies' (Woman's) Missionary Society reports, 1902-1912
Monday Evening Meeting report, 1902
Open Air Services report, 1905
People's Evangelistic Service report, 1907
Temperance Union reports, 1896-1912
Yoke Fellows Band report, 1897
Young People's Society reports, 1902-1910
G. Printed material, 1898-1916
H. Assistant pastor's reports, 1896-1908
Preferred Citation
First Baptist Church of Boston records, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.
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Materials Removed from the Collection
A framed portrait of James Davis Knowles by an unidentified artist was removed and cataloged separately.