First Baptist Church
From Salem Links and Lore
- The First Baptist Church for years stood at 56 Federal St. The oldest portion was built in 1805, after a small building on the same site proved too small for the growing congregation. In 1827, the building was enlarged and fitted out with a lovely three-stage Federal tower topped by an octagonal dome. Around 1850, a chapel was added.
The tower was removed in 1926, due to cost of repairs.
- The original part of the church dated back to 1806. This portion was moved a short distance to the corner of North and Federal Streets, and converted to a law library, part of the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center.
- The state paid the church two million dollars for the church building after prolonged negotiations. With this, they were able to secure a new church location at 292-296 Lafayette St. This building held the Methodist Church until it merged with the Wesley Methodist Church on North St.
See Also
- First Baptist Church Church website
- "Baptist make sad decision to sell church" Salem Evening News, Feb. 8, 2002, p. A1
- "Former First Baptist Church demolition begins" Salem News, Aug. 28, 2008, p. 2
- "A church's own Christmas story: the First Baptist Church will celebrate Christ's birth in its new home" Salem News, Dec. 24, 2007, p A1
- Architecture in Salem by Bryant F. Tolles, Jr. p. 120.
