First Baptist Church of Vineland, NJ

Welcoming, Witnessing & Winning for the Kingdom of God

OUR HISTORY

May 23, 1865, Rev. J. M. Challis, a retired minister of Bridgeton, NJ, visited Vineland at the request of a few Baptists. Under his leadership the church was organized with thirty-three constituent members.

Mr. Charles K. Landis gave the Church two lots but as they were not in a suitable locality they were sold and the proceeds paid on the now occupied lots.  ‘Father Challis’ as he was lovingly called, ministered to the Church about nine months.

Before the organization of the Church, a Sunday School had been formed with Deacon Powers as Superintendent.  Among many others who have faithfully and capably served as Superintendent have been three generations of Kimballs -- Myron J. Kimball, Eugene M. Kimball and Lawrence M. Kimball.

The second pastor, J. H. Brittain was a student from Rochester, NY.  “He was a young man of ardent piety and at once won all hearts.  From the time that Brother Brittain came among us the Church grew rapidly by letters and baptisms.”  Prior to the completion of the church building, baptism was administered in Maurice River at Landis Avenue.

Soon Union Hall became too small and a larger place had to be found.  A member of the Church, Mrs. George J. Reed, having erected a new building on the Southwest corner of Sixth and Landis Avenue, offered the Church the use of the upper floor free of charge.  This building was known of as Reed's Hall.  The first meeting was held there in November, 1867.

From the beginning Pastor Brittain had been urging the people to build.  Acting upon the advice of some of the most influential ministers in Philadelphia and seconded by the most self-denying of the brethren, on July 29, 1867, a Committee on Church Edifice reported in favor of a building to cost about $18,000.   During the week of September 8, 1867, ground was broken for the building.  At a meeting in Reed's Hall, April 21, 1868, it was voted that “the Trustees have power to build the Church from the foundation to the top of the steeple, also to collect funds.”  For months, they labored and prayed and sacrificed and begged for the planned house of worship.  The little band which numbered thirty-three in 1865, became in just four years, a Church of two hundred.  The first service was held in our new church on August 22, 1869.

Upon completion of the new church, the next Pastor, N. B. Randall, wrote, “Now we rejoice in a finished brick structure which is at once capacious, neat and beautiful.  We believe it is conceded to be the finest House of Worship in South Jersey.”  During the four years that Rev. Randall was Pastor, 210 persons had been brought into the church, making the membership 311 by 1875.

In 1884, three lots had been given to the church by Lucy D. Dyer and a parsonage was built at 218 South East Avenue.

During the next 40 years or so, the following pastors served our congregation:  Pastors Conway, Most, Walden, Towne, Swett, Thomas, Douglas, Lane and Watson.

During this time, the Church extended a unanimous call to Pastor Frank B. Lane of Medford, NJ.  This was in July 1905.  He remained with us until 1923.  Growth occurred and so did our church sanctuary.  During his pastorate, the auditorium, which was originally built to hold 700 people, was made smaller by the formation of two rooms in the rear of the sanctuary.  The enlargement of the upper room was also part of this renovation. 

A very warm and compassionate pastor was called in 1923.  He was Pastor J .C. Brookins.  Under his leadership, our Church conducted our first Daily Vacation Bible School in 1925.  We were still growing and in 1932 the adjoining property, next to the church, was purchased for a Sunday School Building.  Pastor Brookins up to this point, was with us over 14 � years.

Pastor Derwood L. Smith arrived after a unanimous call in 1938.   The Second World War was raging during this time and Pastor Smith resigned to accept a commission as a chaplain in the US Army in the year 1943.

On December 5, 1943, the Church called upon Pastor N. Vance Johnston to become our Pastor.  During his time, many organizational advances were made and for severe consecutive years, our Church received the Award of Merit for ABC-NJ for our Missionary giving.  In addition, many of our Sunday School classes increased greatly.  Pastor Johnston remained with us until 1957.

In 1958, Pastor Hugh Maclaren Wright accepted the call to become our leader.  During this time, a majority of the people of the congregation favored a new church building elsewhere.  A steering committee was formed and after a three month study, the Church voted on September 25, 1958, “that we relocated our church and establish the mechanics by the selection of a building - Planning Council.”   This was not a unanimous decision, and some people left the church rather than move from the old church.  However, the die was cast.  Seven acres beautifully landscaped with huge trees backing against Roberts Boulevard was purchased on East Landis Avenue.  Pastor Wright led the journey toward the ground breaking of our new home on 1155 East Landis Avenue.  Two of the three building projects came to fruition and were dedicated on April 21, 1963; the Fellowship Hall and the Christian Education Building, the church to come later. 

Pastor Wright left us in 1963 and a call went to Pastor Frank Koshak.  The final construction stages and final dedication were carried out by Pastor Koshak.  He left in 1971.

Pastor Lloyd Evans was called in 1972.  He had a very unique and impressive preaching style.  Pastor Evans left in 1975 to assume the duties of a Chaplain for the State of Delaware.

In 1976, a call went out to Pastor Joseph F. Roberts.   Pastor Joe Roberts was a very caring and warm person and did much counseling.   During his pastorate, we saw the birth of the Vineland Counseling Service located here in Vineland.  Local pastors from various local churches served in our community helping people from all faiths.  His counseling strengths led him to a full-time Christian Counseling Service in upstate NY.  He left us in 1983.

In 1984, the call went to Pastor William Vaughn.  He was a local man with his home in Malaga.  He was a strong teacher and very creative in artistic ability and was blessed with an outstanding voice.  His term was short, however, and he left in 1986.

Pastor Ralph Newell was called as an interim pastor.  He began his pastorate in the latter part of 1986 and remained with us until 1988.

In 1988, co-pastors were hired.  Pastor Dr. Robert Prescott-Ezickson and his wife, Pastor Barbara Prescott-Ezickson, began their enthusiastic ministry with us.  Their ministry brought new life to our church.  New families came into our church, many new children increased our Sunday School Program.  Boards and committees felt revitalized with new member participation.  Both Pastors were active in the community and devotional affairs.  Pastor Barbara served as Moderator of the ABC-NJ.  Another call came to them and they left in 1991.

Pastor B. David Cyphers came to us from West Virginia.  He was enrolled at Eastern Seminary (PA) and served our church at the same time.  He was with us from September 1991 through June 1992.

During this period of time a new parsonage was purchased on 893 Holmes Avenue.  The old parsonage on East Avenue had been sold.  The land facing Roberts Boulevard was sold, and a loan from the ABEC made this purchase on Holmes Avenue possible.

This period saw a decline in church membership and attendance.   The church retrenched, as did many old line churches.  In our case, the purchase of the new parsonage.  Many saw liberal churches and lifestyles changed causing this decline.

July 1992, Pastor Harry L. Parker received the call to become our minister at large.  Pastor Parker was strong in his belief and preaching on the Bible.  His strong and loving leadership made him a favorite with all of us, and his wife was very charming and supportive to him and all the congregation.  Pastor Parker was well liked but he left the minister at large program and he left in the early part of 1993.

Pastor Norman Towns was interim pastor with us from June 1993 to November 1993.  He and his wife, Debbie, served well during our searching time for a new pastor.

At the arrival of Pastor Bob, attendance was at a very low average, seldom exceeding 50 on an Sunday morning service.  At present, January 1998, our average attendance is 86 and continues to grow.  Some old timers have returned and many new people have joined.  Our present roll membership stands at 196.

We are encouraged by the spark in our midst.  Hopefully the spark will become a raging fire of Christian growth in our church and we become proud and strong in serving as ambassadors for Christ.

We feel the Lord has given us the right Pastor at this time.   Let us pray for Divine guidance to fulfill our mission of Christian growth.   As the apostle Paul stated, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."  Let us make this our prayer.

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