Rooted In Faith, Growing In Community Since 1871
OUR HISTORY
ROOTED IN FAITH, GROWING IN COMMUNITY SINCE 1871
DENOMINATIONAL AFFILATION WITH ABC-USA
Our congregational roots come from the soil of the Northern Baptist Convention, which is now called the American Baptist Churches – U.S.A. Starting from the last half of the 19th century to today, our denomination was active in sharing the Word of God through planting churches on the frontier, working for the abolition of slavery, supporting women’s suffrage and ordination, building colleges open to people of all backgrounds, addressing poverty, and advocating for civil rights.
First church for First Baptist Church of White Plains 1871 to 1924.
CHURCH HISTORY
Out of the rich legacy of our denomination, the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York helped establish our church in 1871. The 21-member congregation was admitted to the Southern New York Baptist Society and purchased the German Reformed Church in downtown White Plains. By 1891, our church was self-supporting and able to build a parsonage for its pastor.
As White Plains grew, so did the church. By 1917, our membership increased to 405. A new building was erected at the corner of Mamaroneck and Maple Avenues in 1926. With 700 members and a post-war Baby Boom by the 1950’s, we outgrew our facilities and began the search for a property that would meet the needs of our large congregation.
Second Church of First Baptist Church of White Plains 1925 - 1958
OUR CURRENT CHURCH CAMPUS
Through the generous effort of church member, Charles E. Wilson (then President of General Electric), the church was able to purchase nearly 8 acres of Sunnycrest, the former summer estate of the P.C. Penny family. A 500-seat sanctuary was built in 1960 followed in 1967 by an education building, named Davidson Hall in honor of Reverend James A. Davidson who served as pastor from 1954-1971. The original 3-storey brick mansion on the property now houses church offices, meeting space, and residential apartments. Both the barn and carriage house that were part of the property have been converted to residences. A lovely glass greenhouse attached to the carriage house has been restored and is in active use during the growing season to provide plantings and seedlings for our gardens on the campus.
The land our church stands on was purchased from the Weckquaeskeck Indians in 1757.
CHURCH MISSIONS
The church has a longstanding commitment to missionary work both in the U.S. and abroad. We actively support mission work of the American Baptist Churches - USA convention through designated offerings. We also support other missions that were established through the efforts of our own members. These include the Center of Hope-Haiti orphanage in Hinche, Haiti, that was founded in 2005 with the legal and administrative expertise of James and Nancy Lipscomb, a birthing center in Ouanaminthe, Haiti established in 2020 by Mission Life International headed by Dr. Peter Morgan, and most recently, a commitment of continuing financial support for of the Agape Baptist Church in Capetown, South Africa after a visit by Reverend Dr. Frank T. Fraley.
MISIÓN BAUTISTA
We are honored to share our sanctuary and other campus facilities with Iglesia Misión Bautista Hispana de Westchester. This church was started by members of the First Baptist church who had a vision to establish a Hispanic sister church with the English-speaking congregation. On March 15, 1981, the church celebrated its first Spanish-speaking service. That same year the Board of Deacons with the support of the Hispanic church called Pastor José Valencia to strengthen and consolidate the work of the church which officially organized on February 19, 1985. Misión Bautista, as we refer to it today, continues its strong relationship with First Baptist Church and ministers to the Spanish-speaking community under the leadership of Pastor Ever Magana.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The church has had a commitment to Christian Education from its earliest days. One of the first actions of the Church was the formation of a Sunday Church School. Through the 1980’s and 1990’s the children of the church were taught through the dedicated efforts of Rose Reichenbach and beginning in the early 2000’s we had Margaret Pape and Wendy Uhlman to thank for the education of our children. Under Margaret’s leadership, we also opened a garden plot on the campus for children and youth to work in and experience God’s provision through growing fruits and vegetables. Margaret’s Garden, as we have named it in her memory, is still in production each summer with the help of our children and youth. The proceeds from the sale of produce from the garden are used to support our Center of Hope-Haiti mission. Besides this program of Christian Education in action, we have Sunday School classes for children, youth, adults, and new members that provide Biblical education for our ethnically diverse and growing membership.
ROOTS YOUTH MINISTRY
First Baptist Church has a long history of engaging youth in ministry. In past years the young people of the Church created a Baptist Youth Fellowship, earned money to buy a Jeep for a mission in South America, and have gone on retreats to plan their work and discuss their problems. A new and exciting chapter was opened in 2024 when our youth established their Reaching Out to Others Through Service or ROOTS ministry. Poised to learn and lead, that is exactly what the youth of First Baptist Church of White Plains plan to do.
PASTORS OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WHITE PLAINS
All former pastors of the First Baptist Church of White Plains are commemorated with engraved brick pavers in the Memory Garden that was created on the church’s 150th Anniversary in 2021.
J.B. Morse (1871-1872)
George W. Clowe (1873-1883)
Milton W. Covell (1884-1887)
Francis A. Douglas (1887-1888)
John Naylor (1889-1893)
Frederic De Mille Crowley (1894-1895)
J.J. Gorham (1896-1900)
J.W.T. Boothe (1900-1910)
Chellis Nichols (1911-1918)
John B. Champion (1918-1925)
Herbert J. White (1926-1929)
Elliot Shrik (1929-1933)
Charles O. Wright (1933-1954)
James A. Davidson (1954-1971)
Ralph H. Elliot (1971-1977)
Edward Gunther (1977-1988)
Ivan J. Hodge (1989-1999)
Carol M. Simpson (2001-2004)
Kelly Grimsley (2005-2011)
Timothy R. Dalton (2014-2022)
A NEW CHAPTER
Over the years, First Baptist Church of White Plains has been a beacon of faith and community, embracing diversity and inclusivity. Our 23rd full-time pastor, the Reverend Dr. Frank T. Fraley, was installed in September 2024. Under his dynamic leadership, the First Baptist Church continues to thrive and grow. Pastor Fraley’s vision and dedication have inspired confidence and optimism about the future. His commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all members has been instrumental in our ongoing efforts to expand our congregation.
The future looks bright for First Baptist Church as we continue our mission to witness and spread the love of Christ. With a diverse and growing membership, we are poised to make an even greater impact in our community and beyond. The enlargement of our congregation’s family signifies a new chapter of growth, unity, and spiritual enrichment. We look forward to welcoming more families and individuals into our church, where everyone can find a home and a place to grow in their faith.
