Our History

The First Baptist Church of Rockland is rich with history, dating back to its inception in 1854.

With twenty-two charter members, Rev. Horace T. Love became the first pastor of what was then known as the First Baptist Church of East Abington, MA. The church building was constructed in 1856 on land donated by Deacon George W. Chipman of Boston. In the mid-1870s, the town of East Abington was renamed Rockland, MA.

In 1892, a parsonage was built next to the church but was later torn down to make way for the existing parking lot. In December 1897, the church was incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

On November 11, 1918, the church bell rang to proclaim the signing of the armistice ending World War I. At the close of World War II, services of Thanksgiving and Praise were held at the church on May 5, 1945 (V-E Day) and again on August 14, 1945 (V-J Day), marking the days when hostilities ceased and victory was declared in Europe and Japan. Notably, members of First Baptist Church of Rockland have served their country in every major war involving the United States since the church’s founding.

Local businessman A.W. Perry was one of the prominent members of First Baptist Church. In 1922, he donated an Estey pipe organ in memory of his beloved wife, Isadore French Perry. Later that same year, he donated the antique clock that now sits at the base of the belfry at 200 Union Street.

In 1950, a severe southeast windstorm dislodged the weather vane from the church steeple, causing serious damage to the north roof of the building. In the spring of 1951, the church voted to replace the weather vane with a cross atop the steeple. The cross still points people to the Savior to this day.

First Baptist Church has always had a heart for missions, supporting numerous home and cross-cultural missionaries for more than sixteen decades. The Rockland church has also given birth to at least three local churches. In 1886, under the pastorate of Rev. A.E. Woodsum, thirteen members were sent out to help form the Baptist Church in North Abington, MA. In 2024, First Baptist welcomed its newest pastor, Rev. Doug Macleod, as the church stepped confidently into the future.