Who We Are
As a Christian fellowship we strive to provide an inclusive environment of love and caring; embracing and welcoming all who come seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Our mission is to walk with God in today’s world; worshiping and celebrating Him, praying together, studying His word, serving our neighbors, and caring for each other. Our congregation is representative of the Christian community in our area, consisting of a good and growing mix of cultures, personalities and demographics.
Our worship style blends elements of several traditions. Paston Andre delivers sermons with a preacher’s power and passion, combined with an educator’s attention to truth and the detail of scripture. Our music program is growing and is a mix of traditional hymns and more contemporary songs of praise.
Our congregation is not so large as to be impersonal. We know, and love, and support our church family. Our governance structure and by-laws are well-defined, but we don’t operate on a ‘corporate’ scale and so aren’t slowed down by bureaucracy in our mission to do what is right in the eyes of God. We notice and welcome visitors and newcomers, and are here to support anyone who wishes to get to know Jesus.
Our Beliefs
We are an American Baptist congregation, and a member of The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts (TABCOM).
Our American Baptist tradition emphasizes:
- The Lordship and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ,
- Believers’ baptism,
- The competency of all believers to be in direct relationship with God and to interpret Scripture,
- The importance of the local church,
- The assurance of freedom in worship and opinion, and
- The need to be Christ’s witnesses within society.
For more details about these core beliefs and about American Baptist churches, there are some good informational sources here.
Our History
The First Baptist Church of Wollaston was established in 1871 atop Wollaston Hill in Quincy, Massachusetts. The stately, wood-framed church building is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood populated with two-story, single-family houses and with mature oak and maple trees lining the roadways.
The church was one of the first major structures built in the area, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is one of the city’s finest remaining wood-frame churches.
The building and the congregation have changed and evolved over time. Our facilities now include a large function hall with a 2/3 size basketball court/recreation space, a full-time preschool which operates out of the southwestern end of the building, a chapel, and a large kitchen. Today, in addition to our primary congregation we are host to a thriving Vietnamese Christian Church and Brazilian Congregation.