First Baptist Church on Hill Street has a very rich history. It was founded in 1769 and was the first Baptist Church in Hartford County. People came from Hartford and Springfield to attend services. A few faithful men broke away from the state church to gain religious freedom. This was not well received by the people in town.
In the early 1800s a minister came to fill the pulpit by the name of Asahel Morse. Rev. Morse was outspoken about freedom of religion. Morse gathered with a group of likeminded people and worked to promote the separation of church and state.
With the help of President Jefferson, they were able to pass a law in the state of Connecticut so that people could worship as they pleased without punishment.
The church continues to operate today. Our membership list grows each year. Most of our members belong to other churches, and this is more like a historic membership.
For 70 years, First Baptist has had five summer services and a Christmas carol sing. We have one meeting each year, and most work is done by volunteers.
This year we had our annual meeting on May 28. Our most pressing concern was the major steeple repairs needed.
Our attention was quickly altered when we arrived at the front door. The early arrivals were shocked to see that the three-inch pine doors had a hole gnawed through it. They also saw movement inside by way of the tennis ball size hole. When the door was opened, we saw a pile of chewed wood and much more damage than we expected. Upon entering the sanctuary, we were shocked to see that all the windows were chewed down to the glass. We assumed the culprit to be a red squirrel.
The next morning while cleaning up the mess, I heard a noise in the front entry. There stood a woodchuck that ran into the sanctuary and out of sight. Help was summoned and the search was on. It came down to the pump organ as the only hiding spot. I took a seat on the stool and started to pump the organ and then the very loud and bad music began. No Chuck!
I packed up and went home for lunch. An hour later the neighbor called to announce that the woodchuck was walking down the church driveway heading for Russell Avenue. When I returned, I found an enlarged hole in the front door, big enough for a fat woodchuck.
The beautiful church now has boarded up windows and front door. The steeple work will be starting soon. The worst of it all is that summer services can’t be held this year. We hope that all will be fixed in time for the Christmas carol sing on December 8.