First Baptist Moncton Celebrates 198 Years of Faith and Ministry

Dear First Baptist Family,

As many of you know, First Baptist will soon celebrate its 198th birthday. According to a history of our congregation written in 1943, our church’s origins go back to a Baptist pastor and missionary named Joseph Crandall:

Elder Joseph Crandall, pastor of Salisbury Baptist Church, came to Moncton in 1827. He preached in the Free Meeting House on Steadman Street. A gracious revival followed, many came out under his ministry, and on June 8, 1828, the First Moncton Baptist Church was formed, being the first Protestant Church in what is now Moncton. They worshiped in the Free Meeting House at the Bend, as the Village was then called.

Now, 198 years later, that little church has grown considerably larger and has not only survived but indeed thrived in the midst of several crises: a fire that totally destroyed the church building, two world wars, a pandemic, a Depression, and then another pandemic. Our church has never had it easy but, in the midst of tragedies and struggles, it has continued to reach out to our community in the name of Jesus Christ. (Read Our History)

This year, our Anniversary Celebration will take place on June 7. This combined service will be marked by beautiful worship, heart-touching music, our Adult Handbell Choir, and a special message of encouragement as we celebrate our diversity as a congregation.

While it is true that the church has changed in many ways over the years, the central focus of our Anniversary Service remains the same: thanksgiving to God for what He has done in years past and anticipation of what He is going to do in the months and years to come.

We hope that you will mark June 7 on your calendar. It promises to be a wonderful day as we worship and celebrate together.

Before I end this letter, I wish to thank all of you for the faithfulness you have shown in your financial stewardship. Through your commitment to supporting the ministries of our church, you have followed the example of sacrificial giving of those who have gone before. Your faithfulness is both inspiring and encouraging.

Please prayerfully consider your 198th Anniversary Offering. This offering is a practical and significant way to thank God for His blessings in the past as well as a mark of our faith in what God is going to do in the months and years to come.

Your giving to the work of the Lord is always meaningful and always appreciated but especially so in these uncertain times. In these days, bringing our offerings to the Lord follows the example of the widow in the temple of whom Jesus said:

“They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty…”
(Mark 12:44a, NIV)

May we be willing to invest in God’s ministry in the present and future to the degree that God has blessed us in the past. Please see the attachment/insert for a description of several convenient ways to support the ministries and outreach of First Baptist.

Thank you for your faithful giving!

Don’t forget to mark June 7 on your calendar. It promises to be a blessed day!

Shalom,

Pastor Richard