Liverpool United Baptist Church

The Baptist movement in Liverpool began with the coming of the Rev. Henry Alline to the area in December, 1781. He remained a short time and was followed by the Rev. John Payzant.

These men preached in the Town Meeting House, located at the Parade where the Balcolm house now stands. These men attracted a number of followers who became known as Newlights, then as Newlight Baptists and later as Baptists. In 1784 the Rev. Chipman visited the town and baptized a number of persons by immersion. The number of Baptists was increasing but there was no church organization and no resident pastor.

The first Baptist Church was organized in 1821. The leader was Elder David Nutter. It was suggested that they build a church but nothing was done until 1829. The first Baptist Church was built at Shipyard Point in 1834. It served the communities of Milton, Liverpool and Brooklyn. It was registered with the Association as the Milton Baptist Church. The church was formally opened in 1837.

In 1842 a church building was built in Milton and the original records and church membership were taken there and the Liverpool Church was a branch church.
In 1850 it was resolved to divide into two separate churches. This was accomplished in 1851 and the church was called the Second Liverpool Baptist Church. The first minister in this church was S.R. Bentley. In December of the same year, it was decided to build a new church building and the land where the present church stands was purchased. Early in 1852, plans for the new building were drawn up, but it was not completed and opened until July 11, 1853.

The first mention of Sabbath School was in 1852. At that time, the school has 80 scholars and 14 teachers. The church has 110 members.

In September of 1865, the church building was destroyed by fire. Within a week, however, plans were started for rebuilding the church. The new building was completed and dedicated on Sunday, December 9, 1866. The church was officially incorporated on April 20, 1868. Improvements to the building since it was built include the installation of the organ in 1920, installation of an oil fired furnace in 1955 and finishing of Sunday School classrooms and kitchen facilities in the basement area in later years. The building is now heated by two oil fired hot air furnaces.

It is now over 200 years since Baptists first came to Liverpool and about 180 years since the first Baptist Church was organized in the area. Over the years, there have been many pastors who have served in this pastorate. The present pastor in 2014 is the Rev. Steven Hopper and he serves both the Liverpool and Brooklyn Baptist Churches.

Pastors of Liverpool Baptist Church
1851-1856 S. R. Bentley
1857-1860 Mr. Thomas A. Higgins
1860-1862 Mr. D.O. Parker
1863-1865 Rev. E.N. Harris
1865-1866 Rev. Mr. Anderson
1867-1869 Rev. Mr. A.H. Munroe
1870-1873 Rev. Mr. Joseph Jones
1873- George O. Gates
~No records from Apr 1878 – Jun 1888
-1888 R.J.W. Weeks
1888-1890 Rev. S.H. Cain
1891-1894 Rev. I.E. Bill
1894-1897 Zenas L. Fash
1897-1901 Rev. Harry S. Shaw
1901-1903 Brother C.W. Corey
1904-1907 Rev. w.B. Crowell
1908-1910 Rev. F.S. Porter
1911-1912 Rev. Milton Addison
1912-1915 Rev. J. B. Anderson
1916-1918 Rev. A.L. Tedford
1919-1920 Rev. A.W. West
1920-1926 Rev. J. D. Spidell
1926-1927 Dr. E.E. Daley
1927-1932 Rev. H.J. Blose
1933-1946 Rev. E.R. MacWilliams
1946-1955 Rev. H. Hill
1955-1958 Rev. John Bartol
1916-1918 Rev. A.L. Tedford
1919-1920 Rev. A.W. West
1920-1926 Rev. J. D. Spidell
1926-1927 Dr. E.E. Daley
1927-1932 Rev. H.J. Blose
1933-1946 Rev. E.R. MacWilliams
1946-1955 Rev. H. Hill
1955-1958 Rev. John Bartol
1958-1965 Rev. Willard Smith
1965-1970 Rev. Byron Fenwick
1970-1976 Rev. Bernard Armstrong
1977-1981 Dr. H. Max DeWolfe
1982-1986 Rev. Harry Gardner
1986-2001 Rev. Edward Powell
2001-2008 Rev. Greg Denton
2009- Rev. Steve Hopper ~34th pastor of LUBC