our history
The First Baptist Church of Maine, NY was established in 1835 with 31 original members. By 1840 the membership had grown so that a church building was needed. The minutes of the December 27, 1840 meeting read,“The Meeting House erected in Maine Village, at a cost of about $1,500.00, was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God . . .” The church continues with that purpose and has a long history of solid Bible preaching and a strong commitment to missions and ministry.
Through the years additions and improvements were made: an addition on the back of the church, April 1866; the bell added, 1882; a prayer room, church parlor, dining room, kitchen, and a baptistry, October 1894 - May 1895; steel ceilings, 1905; extensive repairs and stained-glass windows 1929; a 12x12 addition to the rear annex, 1948; balcony and redecoration, 1954; education building, 1958.
In 1978 the original structure, becoming too costly to maintain, was torn down. The remaining education building was connected to a new auditorium which was dedicated to the Glory of God in 1979. The new auditorium building included church offices, Sunday school rooms, foyer, library and baptistry. The auditorium has a seating capacity of approximately 250. The two-story existing education building was attached to the new structure with a large foyer for fellowship. The buildings are on 1.29 acres with a back yard and large blacktop parking lot. In 2006, the church family broke ground for a new multi-purpose building. This building includes a gym, kitchen, and classrooms.
Through the years the church has been associated with these organizations:
According to Association records this church is the third oldest Baptist Church in the county which is still meeting. It was preceded by First Baptist Church, Binghamton (1829) and Vestal Center Baptist Church (1834).
Throughout the church’s history, since 1840 when the ‘Meeting House’ was built, the church has never been closed to services save for repairs. As far as it can be determined, each of the 39 men who served as pastor was a Gospel preacher. God has been pleased to use this ‘Lampstand’ through the years and, by it, reflect His Light throughout the area and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.
Through the years additions and improvements were made: an addition on the back of the church, April 1866; the bell added, 1882; a prayer room, church parlor, dining room, kitchen, and a baptistry, October 1894 - May 1895; steel ceilings, 1905; extensive repairs and stained-glass windows 1929; a 12x12 addition to the rear annex, 1948; balcony and redecoration, 1954; education building, 1958.
In 1978 the original structure, becoming too costly to maintain, was torn down. The remaining education building was connected to a new auditorium which was dedicated to the Glory of God in 1979. The new auditorium building included church offices, Sunday school rooms, foyer, library and baptistry. The auditorium has a seating capacity of approximately 250. The two-story existing education building was attached to the new structure with a large foyer for fellowship. The buildings are on 1.29 acres with a back yard and large blacktop parking lot. In 2006, the church family broke ground for a new multi-purpose building. This building includes a gym, kitchen, and classrooms.
Through the years the church has been associated with these organizations:
- Berkshire Baptist Association, 1825-1936
- Regular Baptist Association of Binghamton and Vicinity, 1938
- Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptist Church, 1942-2012
- American Council of Christian Churches, 1943-Present
- International Council of Christian Churches, 1950
- General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, 1952-Present
- The Northeast Fellowship of Churches, 2012-Present
According to Association records this church is the third oldest Baptist Church in the county which is still meeting. It was preceded by First Baptist Church, Binghamton (1829) and Vestal Center Baptist Church (1834).
Throughout the church’s history, since 1840 when the ‘Meeting House’ was built, the church has never been closed to services save for repairs. As far as it can be determined, each of the 39 men who served as pastor was a Gospel preacher. God has been pleased to use this ‘Lampstand’ through the years and, by it, reflect His Light throughout the area and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.