Meriden in New Haven County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

First Baptist Church

Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 8, 2010

1. First Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. First
Baptist Church
Organized Oct. 7, 1786
This Building
Erected
1848

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1786.

Location. 41° 31.979′ N, 72° 47.596′ W. Marker is in Meriden, Connecticut, in New Haven County. Marker is at the intersection of Broad Street and East Main Street, on the right when traveling south on Broad Street. Located on the First Baptist Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Meriden CT 06450, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gold Star Association Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II Roll of Honor (within shouting distance of this marker); City of Meriden's World War I Roll of Honor (within shouting distance of this marker); Center Congregational Church (within shouting distance of this marker); 201st Anniversary of the Marine Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Meriden World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Meriden Spanish American War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Meriden Korea – Vietnam Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Meriden.

Regarding First Baptist Church.

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Since 1739, Baptists in Meriden had attended services in Wallingford. A seperate society in Meriden was founded in 1786 and in 1801 a dwelling house was purchased near the Meriden-Wallingford border to be used for worship by the societies of both towns. In 1815, the Meriden Baptists erected their own meeting house, near the later location of their parsonage, which was also open for the Methodists to use. This building was moved across the street and enlarged in 1831. By 1846, the Baptists required a new building but found the Congregationalists unwilling to sell the church they were planning to vacate on Broad Street (as it turned out, a group of Congregationalists continued to use the church, which is now called Center Congregational Church). Instead, the Baptists purchased the vacant lot adjoining the Congregational church and built the current First Baptist Church in 1847-1848.

In building their church next to the Congregational church, the Baptists encountered resistance from “Standing Order.” According to An Historic Record and Pictorial Description of the Town of Meriden (1907), “The work of building the new church met with a remonstrance from the neighboring church who caused an injunction to be placed on the progress of the work, the reason given for the same when the question was decided in court was as follows: “No objection to the Baptists

Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 8, 2010

2. First Baptist Church Marker

The marker is to the left of the front doors.

as Christian people, as good neighbors and worthy citizens,” but Rev. Mr. Miller had a peculiarly sharp, ringing voice, that the Congregationalists claimed would disturb their society in worship. As may be readily supposed the injunction was removed and the present house of worship erected.” (from Historic Buildings of Connecticut website)

First Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 8, 2010

3. First Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 898 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 15, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.