Our History

The Story of Our Beautiful Building

The First Baptist Church of Arlington was organized in June 1781, becoming the 28th Baptist church in Massachusetts. Several significant events led to the establishment of First Baptist. The men of Baptist persuasion withdrew from the First Parish Congregational and were excused from paying taxes for the payment of the minister in 1786. Some were imprisoned for refusing to pay. In due time, freedom of conscience won.

On February 3, 1817, "The Baptist Society of West Cambridge" became a legal body. A legacy from Stephen Cutter made this action possible. Church locations included a meeting house at Massachusetts Avenue and on Brattle Street (1790). A white wood church was built on the present site in 1828. In 1840 the Church acquired an organ and a bell, and by 1845 the congregation had grown to around 145 members. A larger gothic structure was built in 1851 but the building was destroyed by fire in 1900. The present church with its massive Gothic style was dedicated on November 4, 1902. On December 4, 1903, Arlington Baptist Church changed its name to The First Baptist Church of Arlington. Fire struck again in 1924, destroying the organ and much of the interior. The building was fully restored and rededicated in 1926. A new wing for an added Sunday School space was built in the 1950's and in 1965 the chapel and basement were remodeled. The most recent event was the Organ Restoration, completed in 1992.

Important People in the History of First Baptist Church of Arlington

Thomas Williams, John Williams, and Stephen Robbins Jr. founded the church in the eighteenth century. They were assisted greatly by the Reverend Samuel Stillman and Captain Benjamin Locke. Locke was a parishioner who sold his home to the church for its first meeting place. A descendant of the Locke family is currently a member of the church.

Mary and Stephen Cutter were instrumental in obtaining the lot on which the church now stands and in the building of the original church.

Deacon William E. Wood served as Church organist for many years,

Caroline Higgins, a gifted and dedicated teacher, was elected the First woman Deacon in 1958. Emily Johnstone, Evelyn Davidson, Mary Dickson and Eva Brown followed in the next two years.

Former Pastors of First Baptist Church

2023 - Patrick S. McCorkle
2020 - 2023 Peter Beckwith (Interim)
2001 - 2020, Jon D. Hevelone, D.Min.
2001 - 2001, Mikel Satcher Ph.D. (Interim)
1997 - 2001, George H. Habel Ph.D.
1996 - 1997, Victor Scalise Jr. (Interim)
1982 - 1996, Paul L. Jackson
1980 - 1982, Victor Scalise Jr. (interim)
1970 - 1980, Joseph R. Sweeney, Ph.D.
1969 - 1970, Alexander Henderson (Interim)
1961 - 1968, William H. Marsell (Associate and Interim)
1959 - 1967, Robert Earl Slaughter, D.D.
1958 - 1959, Donald Menzel (Interim)
1955 – 1958, Francis W. Thompson, D.D.
1954 - 1955, Rollin E. Tingley (Interim)
1944 - 1954, Nathan W. Wood
1928 - 1944, Grady D. Feagan, Ph.D.
1919 - 1927, Henry S. Potter, S.T.D., D.D.
1909 - 1919, Nathan E. Wood, D.D.
1881 - 1909, Charles H. Waston, D.D..

Current Licensed Lay Preachers:

Jack Donaldson 20 years
Willian D. Ware 6 months

First Baptist Church of Arlington

First Baptist Church of Arlington

Our History

The Story of Our Beautiful Building

Our Bicentennial Booklet

Important People in the History of First Baptist Church of Arlington

Former Pastors of First Baptist Church

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