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This church was established in 1806, as the First Baptist Church of Bolton Landing. It was the second religious organization in the small town of conservative Congregationalists. It was one of the first Baptists churches in New York State as part of the American Baptist Churches (ABC) USA. The Baptists of Bolton were a small, conservative group who believed Jesus Christ is the Son of God, in the Holy Bible, believers’ baptism by immersion, Abolitionism, Prohibition, and Federalism. In 1825, the church building was built, and at that time became affiliated with the Triennial Baptist Convention (established 1814), which became the Northern Baptist Convention in 1907, then the American Baptist Convention in 1950, and lastly, the American Baptist Churches in the USA in 1972. In 1932, a kitchen and Sunday School/social room were added. From the 1940’s to 1977, Rev. Arthur Curren was the pastor until his death. |
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Since then, there have many pastors/lay preachers such as Arthur Curren, Rev. John Cook, Pastor Norman Hieman, Rev. Url Utterback, Rev. Daniel Orr, Pastor Jim Gillet, Rev. Robert Bishop, Pastor Ray Lloyd, Pastor John Beal, and James Baker. Over the years there has been Sunday School for all ages, Adult Bible Study, prayer meetings, community outreaches such as lawn sales, dinners, movies, craft groups, local mission work such as a food pantry, migrant worker and school supply donations, and Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners/gifts to needy families. Occasionally, there have been families in need that have been ‘adopted’. A Friday morning youth group (during the school year) shared by other protestant based churches in town and partially led by 2 of our members has been hosted. Due to financial issues and lack of attendance the church has been closed for the winter seasons of 2014 thru 2016. In 2016 another Bible believing church agreed to provide support and Sunday worship services. Although their efforts were very successful in reaching out and attendance increased markedly, most attendees were seasonal visitors. In 2017, Paul Bubar of Word Of Life agreed to help attempt to revive the church and provided support until he passed away. Pastor Scotty Matthews is our full time Pastor and plans are well under way to become the church that reaches out to our community through the gospel of Jesus Christ. |