“Whipped with roses.” That phrase encapsulates the resilient spirit of the First Baptist Church of Boston. It stands as one of the oldest Baptist congregations in the United States. Founded in 1665, this church’s story is one of perseverance. It is about fighting for religious freedom.
The early days were fraught with persecution. Baptists faced opposition to their beliefs. They often met secretly in homes. One notable incident involved Obadiah Holmes. He was a glassmaker from Rhode Island. Holmes was whipped in Boston for his Baptist faith in 1651. His defiant words after the beating, “you have struck me as with roses,” became a symbol of their unwavering commitment.
Among the witnesses to Holmes’s whipping was Henry Dunster. He was the first president of Harvard College. Moved by the injustice, Dunster’s beliefs about baptism changed. He was subsequently fired from Harvard in 1654. He refused to allow his infant child to be baptized. Dunster became a close friend and mentor to Thomas Goold. Goold later founded the First Baptist Church of Boston.
The first documented gathering occurred in 1663. It took place at Goold’s home in Charlestown, Massachusetts. In 1678, the church endeavored to build a meetinghouse. Prior to this, services were held in various homes. One was the home of Pastor Goold on Noddles Island. This island is now part of East Boston and Logan Airport.
Opposition remained fierce. Despite disguising their meetinghouse as a brewery, the church doors were nailed shut. This happened on March 8, 1680. It was by order of the General Court of Massachusetts. Undeterred, the congregation gathered outside in the harsh New England weather.
The Reverend Doctor Samuel Stillman served as pastor for the longest tenure. He served from 1764 to 1807. Stillman advocated for the separation of church and state. He also called for the abolition of slavery.
In 1882, the First Baptist Church of Boston acquired its current building. The Brattle Square Unitarian Church had built it. The renowned architect Henry Hobson Richardson designed it. Most notable is that this is the first example of what would become known as Richardson Romanesque. The First Baptist Church was able to obtain this amazing building for $100,000.
The tower features distinctive friezes. Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, carved them. They represent four sacraments. The faces of famous Bostonians adorn the tower. These include Longfellow and Hawthorne. Abraham Lincoln and Bartholdi’s friends are also featured.
In March 2016, a storm damaged the tower. Debris fell into the street. Preservation efforts were undertaken. They mediated the risk posed by unstable stone. The congregation feels energized about future preservation projects. They want to continue serving God, their congregation, and their community.
Today, the First Baptist Church of Boston stands as a testament to faith. It shows resilience and service. It shares its space with community organizations. These include a kindergarten program and the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. The church’s history is etched in its walls. It is in its very foundation. It is a beacon of hope. It reflects the enduring spirit of its founders. It is still “whipped with roses.”