Monument marks church tricentennial
By AMY RENCZKOWSKI
Day Staff Writer
Waterford – Churchgoers gathered outside the First Baptist Church of Waterford before Sunday morning’s service to unveil an eight-foot tall granite memorial marker and to celebrate its 300th birthday.
The church is the second oldest Baptist church in the state behind the Old Mystic Baptist Church.
The monument came from Georgia and was erected by the Baptist History Preservation Society. It cost a little more than $10,000, and was paid for through donations from area Baptist churches.
“It feels good knowing that it will be here for a lot of people to see. That’s a blessing,” said Pastor Jeff Faggart from the Harvest Baptist Church in Rockwell, N.C., where he is the founder and director of the Baptist History Preservation Society.
There are only 20 Baptist memorial markers in the United States and four of them are in New England. Faggart said he was pleased to be able to put a marker at the Waterford church since it’s still a very active congregation. Other markers have been placed at graves, churches and sites of historical significance.
The purpose of the memorial marker is to honor the Baptist heritage.
About 30 people gathered outside the church for the dedication.
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“While seasons of suffering were endured, seasons of blessing were enjoyed,” the memorial marker states. “This monument stands to commemorate three centuries of service rendered to God and country by the saints of the First Baptist Church of Waterford.”
“This church has made noble contributions to the history of America. Her sons have shed their blood in the wars, which brought and preserved our several liberties and her members have contributed patriotic toil and tribute to the building of this great nation.”
