The First Baptist Church of Mansfield has been the center of organized Baptist worship in town since the early years of the 19th century.
Early Baptist Roots
Earlier references to Mansfield Baptists include mid-18th-century records of town residents who “professed the Baptist principle,” accounts of Baptist gatherings, and records of a Baptist Society organized in 1767 “at the dwelling house of Ebenezer Wright living in Mansfield.”
The tombstone of Joseph Hovey (d. October 28, 1785) in the Pink Cemetery describes him as “a deacon in a Baptist Church for a number of years” who “died in full belief of those principles.” Local tradition also holds that a Separatist church built in Mansfield around 1750 later became a Baptist meeting house and that many former Separatists joined the church.
The Church Is Established
In 1807, construction began on the first church building at the site of the present First Baptist Church of Mansfield under the leadership of the Rev. Joshua Bradley of Rhode Island.
The Baptist Church of Spring Hill, as it was then called, was officially organized and recognized as a regular Baptist church in “gospel order” by an ecclesiastical council convened in Mansfield on October 16, 1809. At that time, the church had 42 members.
The church voted to join the Stonington Association in 1810. The Rev. Bradley served as pastor for one year while the new church became established. The Rev. Jonathan Goodwin of Lebanon, Connecticut, was then called as minister.
Service and Growth
During its first century, the church provided ministers and missionaries to the denomination and carried out many community programs that are now the responsibility of the town’s Department of Social Services. The church also organized a local library and maintained an active Christian Education program.
Members of the Mansfield church helped organize the First Baptist Church of Willimantic in 1823 and the Second Baptist Church in Mansfield Depot in 1907.
Important building projects included the parsonage, begun around 1841; the present church, dedicated in 1875; and the Conference Room, added in 1895.
Continuing the Mission
In more recent years, the church has expanded its Christian Education program, completed a Christian Education wing in 1965, and continued its active missions program and community outreach.
Historical Timeline
FBCM can trace its history to the 1770s, when Baptists began meeting in private homes. Historical documents note that a Mansfield Baptist church with 12 members existed in 1780.
The church’s founding documents record that the Mansfield Baptist Society began in the late 1790s to manage the church’s financial and practical business. On November 16, 1807, the Society elected a committee to build a house of worship. Members raised $2,000 and purchased a lot at the corner of Storrs Road and Spring Hill Road in July 1808 for $10. The Society met in the completed worship house for the first time in December 1808.
October 16, 1809
The Hartford Baptist Association officially recognized the Baptist Church in Mansfield.
1810
The Rev. Jonathan Goodwin Jr. became the church’s first settled pastor.
1825
Land was purchased for the Hillside Cemetery on Spring Hill Road.
1827
Delegates were sent to help form the Baptist church in Willimantic.
1844–1845
The parsonage at 975 Storrs Road was acquired, and the original meeting house was remodeled.
1861–1922
Church members Emma J. Barrows Gardiner and William Gardiner operated the town Poor Farm.
March 14, 1863
After deliberation regarding difficulties within the church, members called a meeting to consider dissolving it.
July 11, 1863
At the subsequent meeting, members unanimously voted that “our difficulties be forever dropped.”
1875
The original meeting house was sold, and the present Gothic Revival sanctuary was built.
1905
FBCM was incorporated. A kitchen and meeting room were added behind the sanctuary, and Judge Llewellyn J. Storrs became the church’s first moderator.
1907
FBCM members helped form the Second Baptist Church of Mansfield in Mansfield Depot.
1909
FBCM celebrated its 100th anniversary. Pastor Leonard Smith compiled a “Historical Centennial Letter,” and the Northeast Baptist Association met at the Mansfield church.
1920–1952
FBCM shared the services and expenses of a pastor with the Congregational church in Mansfield Center.
1964–1979
Members Faith and Ed Austin led FBCM’s active youth group.
1965
A Christian Education wing with a modern kitchen and classrooms was added. Milton Beebe and Larry Larkin oversaw the project and general church building maintenance.
1970s–2004
Doris and Milton Beebe organized FBCM’s well-known public suppers. Annual musical productions featured church youth and adults.
1980
A Conference Room addition greatly enlarged the church’s usable meeting space.
1980s
The church changed its fiscal policy to improve the amount and stability of its income.
1984
Ed Austin helped found WAIM, a local mission of FBCM.
1997
The parsonage was sold, and a housing allowance was utilized instead.
2001
Annual youth mission trips began.
2009
FBCM celebrated its 200th anniversary.
2018
FBCM began sharing its facilities with the Storrs Chinese Christian Church.
2020
Worship services were livestreamed during the COVID-19 pandemic. On-site worship resumed as soon as it was prudent, and FBCM continues to livestream its services.
2023
The church’s longest-serving pastor, the Rev. Ron Baker, retired due to medical concerns. FBCM voted to participate in the American Baptist Churches USA Transitional Ministry program.