Worcester / Massachusetts / United States
First Baptist Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, is approaching its 200th Anniversary. The church was founded in 1812 to provide a witness in Worcester and beyond for the "Free Church Tradition, " originally begun in England and then spread to this country largely by the influence of Baptists, but also including others. It was the third of the churches to be established in Worcester. First Baptist Church was a pioneer in education under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Going, pastor from 1815 until 1832. The first Sunday School in Worcester was founded in the church, and Dr. Going played significant roles in the founding of Worcester Academy, Newton Theological Institution, Amherst College, and Granville ( Ohio ) College. He would later become Corresponding Secretary of the Baptist Home Mission Society, influencing First Baptist Church to be a national leader in mission work. In a rapidly-growing city, the church sponsored missions, including Third Baptist Church on the corner of Main and Herman Streets. Early in the 20th century they reunited and built a beautiful edifice on Ionic Avenue. The 20th century prosperity of the church was highlighted by the leadership of strong laity and remarkable ministers such as Thomas S. Roy, Gordon M. Torgersen, and Michael Scrogin. Following a fire that destroyed the Ionic Avenue building in 1937, the church rebuilt on the corner of Park Avenue and Salisbury Street and shared in the expansion of membership characteristic of Protestant churches throughout America after World War II. Likewise, the church experienced the unrest and political turmoil characteristic of the 1960s, yet it remained strong. The church has entered the 21st century poised for new growth and a renewal of its creative energy to engage a new century with the old but always pertinent gospel of Christ.
