About Us:
First Baptist Church is located in north Jersey in the small college community of Madison. Drew University, Fairleigh Dickinson University and the College of St. Elizabeth all have campuses in Madison. The church has stood on Cook Avenue for 110 years and has a rich history in the Madison Community. We have joined forces with the community to help causes nationwide, such as victims of H
urricane Katrina, the Tsunami and the Haiti earthquake. Our Church History
Welcome to the ministry of First Baptist Church of Madison. In hearing God's Word, we work toward living responsible Christian lives in a complex world. Together we rejoice in embarking on our jubilee journey of faith. While we realize all our questions cannot be answered, we are nurtured in our beloved community as we seek to know the will of our Lord. The programs of the church are open to everyone. In the early spring of 1895 a small group of baptized believers, desiring a place where they could assemble and commune together with their God, met in a hall at 10 Central Avenue known as Odd Fellows Hall for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Mission. In 1897 the Baptist Mission was organized as the First Baptist Church of Madison with Rev. Harris as its first Pastor. As the church continued to grow in membership it was noted that a larger place of worship was needed. The lot on Cook Avenue upon which the church now stands was purchased from Mr. Burnet for the sum of $400.00 and on the first Sunday in June, 1901, an appropriate ground breaking service was held. The church was completed in February 1902 at a cost of approximately $3,500.00. For four months in 2005, from January until May, the First Baptist Church underwent major renovations at a cost of $350,000. The Church Congregation has made a commitment and pledged to raise funds towards the restoration and renovation of the 105 year old structure. Restoration of the sanctuary includes the stained glass windows, the original circular pews, and the Gothic architecture with slanting floors. The renovation includes new mahogany doors, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, closed circuit television, new steps from the lower level to the balcony, a new round baptistery in a redesigned Chancel area. The church is following through on the vision of our late Rev. Johnnie W. Brewster's vision to expand the church building and has undergone major renovations. Following through on that vision, the church is currently raising funds for a building expansion to include educational facilities. On July 13, 2014 The Reverend A. Craig Dunn was officially installed as Senior Pastor of The First Baptist Church of Madison. He comes to us from Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey. We are EXCITED about where God is taking us. We look forward to serving with you in the very near future!
