OUR STORY
HISTORY
Our Beginnings, 1786 to 1790
The First Baptist Church of Ossining traces its origins to April 1786 when Captain Elijah Hunter, a Revolutionary War officer, double agent, substantial landowner, and founder of Hunter’s Landing, gathered local residents for prayer and worship. Services were first held in the home of Elijah Hunter and his wife after they arrived in Sing Sing that same year.
Captain Hunter enslaved Africans, but over time he freed those he had enslaved. These individuals were welcomed into full membership and worship. Inside the church, Black and white congregants sat together and worshiped as equals, reflecting a rare expression of Christian unity during a period when equality was not practiced in daily life.
In November 1790, the Baptist Church of Sing Sing was formally organized as an independent body.
The church began with 30 members. James Requa, Elijah Hunter, and Richard Garrison were elected as the first deacons.
Reverend Ebenezer Ferris of the Baptist Church in Stamford, Connecticut, accepted Hunter’s invitation to provide leadership and visited Sing Sing once a month to baptize new members and guide the congregation.
The Baptist Church in Sing Sing owes its early establishment largely to the dedication of Captain Hunter, whose vision, land, and leadership shaped the church’s foundation.
A Church at the Village Center
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Hunter selected a prominent triangular parcel at 1 Church Street, where Highland Avenue, Croton Avenue, and Main Street meet. The location signified the church’s purpose as a visible spiritual and communal anchor for the developing village.
The first permanent worship space, a frame building, was constructed in 1815 on land donated by the Hunter family. It stood on the exact site where the current church now rises.
Growth and the 1874 Sanctuary
As membership increased, the 1815 building became too small. It was removed to make room for a larger sanctuary.
In 1874, the present brick sanctuary was completed. The building, designed by Brooklyn architect J. Walsh and constructed at a cost of $75,000, quickly became one of the most recognized landmarks in Ossining.
Inside, the congregation installed a memorial window dedicated to Captain Elijah Hunter to honor his foundational contributions and his gift of land that made the original church possible.
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Historic Grounds and Legacy Sites
The Hunter family home once stood near the intersection of Broad Avenue and State Street. Their family cemetery was located on State Street, and a burial ground for church members lay in the church yard.
In 1869, both cemeteries were respectfully moved to plots purchased by the church in Dale Cemetery.
Hunter Street in Ossining is named in honor of the family that played such a significant role in the church’s beginnings.
A Centennial Milestone
During the church’s Centennial Celebration in 1890, First Baptist Church formally recognized Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church as an organized church of faith.
This important moment strengthened ties between the congregations. Today, Star of Bethlehem is celebrating its 135th anniversary, and its legacy remains connected to the recognition received from First Baptist during that centennial year.
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Serving the Community
First Baptist has long opened its doors to the wider community. One of its most far-reaching contributions was serving as the first home of the Open Door Health Center, which later developed into the Ossining Open Door Family Medical Center.
By providing early space for health care and support services, the church helped lay the foundation for a vital regional institution serving families throughout Westchester County.
A Legacy That Comes Full Circle
Across more than two centuries, First Baptist Church has remained steady through wars, abolition, urban redevelopment, and great social transformation. Today, its rich history resonates under the leadership of **Reverend Dr. Glen Courtney**, who has served the congregation for more than ten years.
His leadership as a Black pastor in a church founded by a man who once enslaved Africans reflects a powerful story of growth, reconciliation, and faith carried forward into new generations.
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Our Living Mission
First Baptist Church of Ossining continues to be
* A place of worship grounded in enduring faith
* A beacon of service and community support
* A historic landmark woven into Ossining’s story
Since 1786, the church’s mission has remained unchanged, to love God, uplift one another, and serve the community with compassion, grace, and unwavering hope.