1829 – The Church is Born

The church was organized on March 19, 1829, meeting in the home of Enoch Tibbetts in Gonic. It began as the Gonic Free Baptist Church, making it one of the oldest continuously operating congregations in Rochester.

The congregation was founded during a period when the Free Baptist movement was spreading rapidly throughout New England. The denomination emphasized:

• salvation by faith available to all people,

• believer's baptism,

• local church autonomy,

• community outreach,

• and active involvement of ordinary people in ministry.

1840 – A Permanent Church Home

One of Gonic's leading citizens, John Parker Hale Whitehouse, became instrumental in establishing the church building.

According to History of Rochester (1892):

• he helped finance the construction of the church,

• later paid for significant remodeling,

• organized the choir,

• became superintendent of the Sunday School,

• and revitalized what had become a struggling congregation.

The historian writes that when he became involved:

"The meeting-house at Gonic was dilapidated, the services thinly attended, and the faithful few much discouraged."

His leadership helped transform the church into one of the centerpieces of village life.

A Church at the Heart of Gonic

Throughout the 1800s, Gonic grew into a thriving mill village along the Cocheco River.

The church naturally became one of the institutions that held the community together alongside:

• the mills,

• the school,

• civic organizations,

• and local businesses.

Old city reports show the church participating in Rochester celebrations and community parades well into the early twentieth century.

A History of Serving Families

Like many New England churches of its era, Gonic Baptist became known for:

• Sunday School

• music ministry

• community dinners

• missionary support

• youth discipleship

• neighborhood care

While detailed newspaper coverage is sparse, obituaries spanning decades consistently describe lifelong members whose identities were deeply connected to the church, suggesting it has remained a multigenerational congregation for nearly two centuries.

1975 – A New Chapter

One of the most significant periods in the church's modern history began when Rev. Jesse Smith and his wife Cecelia came to pastor the church in 1975.

Together they served the congregation and Rochester community for more than forty years.

Cecelia became widely known throughout Rochester through:

• the Rochester Public Library,

• Rochester Visiting Nurse Association,

• Foster Grandparent Program,

• community service,

• and countless acts of hospitality.

Her obituary describes her as affectionately known by many as Rochester's "Grandma."

Becoming First Baptist Church of Greater Rochester

In recent years, the congregation adopted the name First Baptist Church of Greater Rochester.

The name reflects the church's desire to serve not only Gonic but the entire Rochester area while continuing the same congregation that began in 1829.

Although the name changed, the church remains in its historic location on Church Street in Gonic.

The Church Today

Few churches in Strafford County can trace nearly 200 years of continuous ministry.

Across almost two centuries the congregation has witnessed:

• the rise of the Gonic mills,

• the Civil War,

• industrial expansion,

• two World Wars,

• the decline of the mill village,

• and the growth of modern Rochester.

Yet through each generation the church has continued gathering to worship Christ, teach Scripture, serve neighbors, and proclaim the Gospel.

That continuity is perhaps its greatest legacy.