First Baptist Church (Newton, Massachusetts)

Infobox_nrhp | name =First Baptist Church in Newton
nrhp_type =

|thumb
caption =A typical plaque found on National Register of Historic Places listed properties.
location= 848 Beacon Street, Newton Centre, Massachusetts
area =
built =1888
added = May 15, 1982
governing_body = Private (First Baptist Church in Newton)
mpsub=
refnum=82002746 cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/
title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

First Baptist Church in Newton, is located at 848 Beacon Street in Newton Centre, a village of Newton, Massachusetts. Its present church building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on May 15, 1982. The congregation has voted to approve a welcoming statement. Their web site states: "Our congregation, believing God's love and grace are offered to all to be shared and celebrated by all, embraces persons of every age, race, sexual orientation, denomination, cultural background, and economic means as vital and integral members of God's family." [ [http://www.fbcnewton.org/believe.html index_new.jpg] ]

The church often hosts the annual commencement ceremonies for nearby Andover Newton Theological School. [ [http://www.ants.edu Andover Newton Theological School » Welcome ] ] Many faculty, staff, students, and administration are active members of the church.

National Registry Listing

*First Baptist Church in Newton
*(added 1982 - Building - #82002746)
*848 Beacon St., Newton
*Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
*Architect, builder, or engineer: Faxon,John Lyman
*Architectural Style: Other, Romanesque
*Area of Significance: Religion, Architecture
*Period of Significance: 1875-1899
*Owner: Private
*Historic Function: Religion
*Historic Sub-function: Religious Structure
*Current Function: Religion
*Current Sub-function: Religious Structure

History

First Baptist Church in Newton was founded on July 5, 1780, on a site just west of the present building. [ [http://www.fbcnewton.org/history.html index_new.jpg] ]

Famous minister

Samuel Francis Smith, famous as the author of My Country, 'Tis of Thee, or "America", was minister of the church from 1842 to 1854. The bell tower on the present building was given in his memory and was rededicated as the "America" bell tower in 1932.

Affiliation

While First Baptist Church in Newton is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA, decisions on all church matters rest with its own members. [ [http://www.fbcnewton.org/history.html index_new.jpg] ]

ee also

* List of Registered Historic Places in Newton, Massachusetts

References

External links

* [http://www.fbcnewton.org First Baptist Church in Newton website]
* [http://www.abc-usa.org/ American Baptist Churches USA website]