Baptist church in Freehold marks 175 years
Baptist congregation looks ahead
By JIM McCONVILLE • STAFF WRITER • November 22, 2009
FREEHOLD — Members of First Baptist Church here are already starting work on the next 175 years.
For congregants, the church's 175th anniversary is a momentous event, but building upon that strong and storied spiritual legacy is equally important, said the Rev. William L. Frederickson, the minister.
About 85 congregants attended Sunday morning's service, which concluded the congregation's monthlong celebration of its Victorian Gothic-style church, whose roots date back to the early to mid 19th century. Inside, the white edifice features stained-glass windows, dark brown wood, a brass organ perched above the pulpit and a steepled ceiling.
"Commemorate the past, celebrate the present and embrace the future," said Frederickson, who has been church minister since 1987. "We're now ready to embrace the future."
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First Baptist Church Freehold 175th Anniversary
The church has a distinguished history that dates back to when horse-drawn buggies, not gas-powered automobiles, traveled down borough streets.
Founded on Nov. 28, 1834, the church became the house of worship for 92 members of Upper Freehold Baptist Church who were dismissed to form the Freehold Baptist Church.
That year, with 157 members, the congregation purchased property at the corner of Main Street and Manalapan Avenue. The new church was set back from the corner and completed in 1847. The present and third church building was dedicated Oct. 21, 1890.
While the church is steeped in history, Fredrickson and the current congregation conduct services in a friendly, informal style with banter back and forth from the circular set of pews.
Several churchgoers Sunday praised the church's modest and close-knit congregation, which acts as its own community.
"The pastor (Frederickson) is the reason that I come," said Marge Plesher, 68, of Manalapan. "It's exciting the way he conducts church."
Plesher, who was born Baptist but attended an Episcopal church in Perth Amboy for much of her life, returned to the Baptist faith when she joined this church roughly three years ago.
"It's just family, friendly and fellowship," Plesher added.
Carolyn Duckett, 76, of Freehold Township, a member of the choir, said the church has been part of her family for several generations.
"Today brings back memories of a lot of people and a lot of wonderful experiences," Duckett said.
"I've been raised in this church," Duckett added. "And it's been a lifetime of participation with a lot of wonderful people."
Jim McConville: 732-308-7757; jmcconville@app.com
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