First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church - Rochester

photo from “The Garden County of Minnesota, and Rochester, with its Wealth, Beauty and Business”, 1884

First Baptist Church.—On a beautiful day in June, 1857, some half dozen members of Baptist churches in the east were gathered in a log cabin in East Rochester. Mr. J. P. Gurr was chairman and Mr. C. F. Anderson clerk of the meeting.

From that time regular meetings were held in the old log school-house, but the organization was not perfected until August 22.

Seventeen persons constituted the original membership,— a little band, but the captain was the Lord of Hosts.

On the day that their organization was completed Rev. E. Wescott was chosen as pastor, with a salary of $600, one half to be paid by the church and the other by the A. B. H. M. Society. This society continued its aid as was needed until the close of the year 1862; although as early as 1859, and while still struggling for life, the church began monthly collections in aid of the H. M. Society and the state convention, and has since many times repaid the help received. Four days after its completed organization, August 26, the church was sitting in council with the Southern Minnesota association, convened at Richland, of which body it is still a member. As soon as the territorial statutes could be complied with, the society was placed upon a legal basis.

In October following the church commenced holding service in their new room, Morton Hall, on Main street. At the opening of the year 1858, the membership had increased to twenty-five. At this time a Sunday-school was organized which still (1883) exists, and in a flourishing condition.

On the 6th of February of this year the ordinance of baptism was administered for the first time. The church, numbering thirty-eight, now resolved to build a house of worship. A lot on the south side of Zumbro street, near the river, was donated by one of the members, on condition that it be occupied as the site of a church, and in September of that year, held their covenant meeting in the new church. The building was of wood. 30X40 feet, and was erected at a cost of $1.200.

To the only remaining constituent member we are indebted for some reminiscences not found in the written record, among which is the following: "To the hearts of those still living, how dear is the memory of the plain little church on the bank of the river, with its two unprotected doors facing the north, just inside of which stood two iron stoves puffing and sending out their heat, which centered in a drum just over the preachers head, where he stood upon a square of oilcloth, and preached such sermons as laid the foundations of our churches, our Sunday schools, our missionary societies, and our denominational schools!" Although increased in numbers and with but little that looks like divided counsels, there came difficulties to be overcome and trials and disappointments to endure. In May, 1859, at a church meeting, a proposition was made and discussed to dispense with the services of a pastor during the ensuing year. This proposal did not meet with favor, but the pastor accepted a salary reduced to $400, and in the latter part of the year the church was obliged to borrow $400 to liquidate the debt incurred in building the chapel. February. 1859, there is a joyous entry on the record. A revival is in progress and ten are added to the church, some of whom are still with us.

In July, 1860, Rev. E. Wescott closed his pastorate, leaving the church with at least fourfold its original membership. During this month J. Mendal was licensed to preach by the church, and was soon transferred to a charge in Wisconsin. In March, 1868, arrangements were made for securing a parsonage. By entertainments of various kinds, the ladies have raised means for current expenses, purchased and kept the parsonage in repair, paid for the masons' and carpenters' work in the lecture-room, besides furnishing carpeting and lamps—all amounting to several hundred dollars.

In April, 1868, Rev. D. N. Mason resigned his charge, and again the church was without a pastor, but in November, 1868, Rev. L. A. Abbott entered upon his labors as pastor, and, under his ministrations, the congregations increased in size, and both church and Sunday school acquired new activity and strength.

At a special business meeting in February, 1869, the subject of building a new house of worship was taken into consideration, and $8,000 having been decided upon as the base of operations, a subscription paper was started and $3,500 was at once subscribed. At this time it was decided to devote every alternate covenant meeting to business purposes, and to institute an annual social and covenant meeting, designed to gather in the whole membership, personally or by report, and ascertain their spiritual standing.

At a business meeting, April, 1870, it was decided to make application to the Baptist Home Mission Society for a loan of $2,000 from the church edifice fund to aid in completing the new house of worship, for which note and mortgage should be given as required by the by-laws of the fund.

The church was dedicated January 1, 1871. It has a beautiful and central site, embracing two lots on the corner of Franklin and Fourth streets. It is of brick, with stone basement 70X40 feet, and was built at a cost of $16,500.

In July of this year. Rev. Mr. Abbott offered his resignation, and in February, 1873, was succeeded by Rev. R. Telford.

At a special meeting, December 12, 1873, a finance committee was appointed to conduct the financial affairs of the church.

The Woman's Foreign Mission Society was organized during the year 1873, by Mrs. L. B. Telford. Among the early and faithful workers are found the names of Mrs. T. W. Stebbins, Mrs. Margaret Kent, Mrs. M. Collins, Mrs. Goodale, Mrs. C. F. Anderson and Miss H. Messenger. The society has steadily increased in strength and interest, and has now connected with it a mission band, presided over by Miss C. O. Severance. For five years the Woman's Society supported a Bible reader in China under Miss Fielde, and has since, in connection with the mission band, aided in the support of Miss Fielde.

Rev. Mr. Telford closed his pastoral connection with the church in February, 1874, and, in July, was succeeded by Rev. C. H. Remington, who held the office until July 1,1877. In August, Rev. R. W. Arnold, of Ripon, Wisconsin, was settled as pastor. The ensuing winter a series of meetings was held, and thirty-two converts were received into the church. In May, 1878, after morning service, and in response to an appeal from the pastor, the remaining indebtedness of the church was provided for by a subscription of $48. During the following winter thirty-three were added to the church by baptism. From that time to the present the church has enjoyed great prosperity. There have been other revivals in which large accessions were made, but the inexorable tide of emigration has taken away faster than gains could be made.

The pastorate by Rv. R. W. Arnold closed November 1, and the church is now without a pastor. During the years of his ministry, one hundred and sixteen have been added to the church, mostly by baptism. During the entire history of the church there have been five hundred and sixty-four connected with its membership; two hundred and sixty have been baptized; present membership, two hundred and fifteen. Of the original members, none remain in its connection; of its early members, but few are left.

Source:

The History of Winona and Olmsted Counties, 1883

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