First Baptist Church
of Hamilton, New York

Founded in 1796, First Baptist is an American Baptist church with an ecumenical congregation. First is the "Mother Church" of Colgate University.

 

 

artist: James Loveless

 
 

WELCOME

On behalf of the people of First Baptist Church, Hamilton, New York, welcome to our website.

First Baptist is an American Baptist church with its congregation coming from many faith traditions.  We are a diverse, growing, generous and open family of faith - everyone is welcome at First Baptist!  At First, it's all about grace!

Founded in 1796, First Baptist is the "Mother Church of Colgate University" - having founded Colgate in 1819  for the theological training of Baptist ministers.  "...with the possible exception of Old First Baptist at Providence, Rhode Island, no church has had such close relations with the life of the Baptist denomination in this country as the Baptist church of Hamilton, New York" (Professor Arthur Jones for The Examiner, 18 January, 1906).

Since Baptist churches are as different as Baptist people, the best way to get to know us is to come and see us for yourself.  Especially we welcome you to our Sunday morning service where you will find the worship beautiful, healing and empowering.  Please visit with us - you'll feel at home!

What's Happening at First
and in our community

Worship schedule
see Worship Services and Weekly Activities
January Announcer
Board Meetings
Deacons: 
First Wednesday of each month 7 p.m.
Trustees:
Second Wed. of each month 5:30 p.m.
Missions:
Second Tuesday of each month 7 p.m.
Christian Education:
to be determined
The Rev. Wesley Smith will serve as pastor at First Baptist Church beginning Sunday, April 11, 2010. See his bio in the January Announcer.
The Rev. Dr. John Morris is Interim Pastor at First Baptist Church. John is a native of Wales and studied at the University of Wales at Cardiff, Cambridge, Union Theological Seminary, NYC, and received his PhD from Columbia.
After marrying Enid in 1954, John came to the US where he served the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church in Vernon and the Vernon Center Presbyterian Church. During this time he was a graduate student of Professor M. Holmes Hartshorne. In 1960 he returned to Colgate as an instructor in Philosophy and Religion. At Colgate he later became Provost and Dean of the Faculty and briefly served as Interim President.
John became President of Union College in 1979 and served there for eleven years.
The Morrises make their home on University Avenue here in Hamilton. See recent sermons.

2009 Pastor's Report
updated 2/6/10 by webmaster

First Baptist Church
27 Broad Street
PO Box 73
Hamilton, New York 13346
315-824-2780