First Baptist of Providence

[Salty]

Do you consider the First Baptist Church of Providence, RI as the first Baptist church in America.

or does it even make a difference?

Thoughts

Salty

PS, have any of you ever visited FBC, Providence.
When I get the chance, I would like to.

 

[rsr]

I do, but I won't get my nose out of joint if you insist it was instead in Newport.

 

[Fred Moritz]

First Baptist, Providence

I don't know if it was the first one, or if Newport was.

My wife and I got a tour of that building in 1993. Sadly the ministry is a bastion of liberalism today. We picked up a bulletin from the previous Sunday to learn that Lionel Ritchie had performed the offertory in the morning service!

There was revival and the blessing of God there in the formative years.

The architecture of the building is simple but attractive. The single Waterford Crystal chandelier in the place is stunning. It was originally lit with candles I believe, but has since been electrified.

Brown University is also in Providence. It was a Baptist school where Judson sent his children. It is now a typical Ivy League school.

 

[Beth]

yes, very liberal

I'm from Rhode Island, and went to Brown for my bachelors. It is sooo liberal! I was unsaved in those days, but even as an unsaved person I stayed away from the immorality rampant at the dorm parties!

I'll always remember that during Freshman week we were given our own copy of the University newspaper...the lead article was all about how you are now to figure out your OWN identity, your OWN morals....this was the time to EXPERIMENT!

And that was back in 1978! Think of what it must be like now! :tear:

Beth

 

[Salty]

I would still like to go there next year for my vacation

 

[Tom Butler]

I think FBC Newport claims to predate FBC Providence by a year or two. I don't think we ought to blow off the claim. I'd like to know more about the arguments for each side.

 

[Salty]

History of FB Newport

From the Fla Bap Witness

 

[gb93433]

My wife and I got a tour of that building in 1993. Sadly the ministry is a bastion of liberalism today. We picked up a bulletin from the previous Sunday to learn that Lionel Ritchie had performed the offertory in the morning service!

Given enough time haven't all of them gone down that road?

 

[Josh the Baptist]

I believe many consider Newport to be the FBC due to the fact that the Providence church was such a poor example. It did disband in 1638 and many historians have doubt that Williams actually formed it. Apparently, it was common knowledge that the church was began by Browne, Wickenden, Dexter, Olney, Tillingast, etc. in 1639. If this is true then the believers meeting in the wilderness at Newport would be two years earlier in 1637. Now the church at Newport was not gathered until 1644, but these believers were banished in 1637. It's difficult to fathom that these banished believers would not form a church until 1644 under the leadership of John Clarke. God only knows. At any rate, the church at Newport is considered to be a better model by many.