By Jane Keller Gordon, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – A safe that has not been opened for years sits in a room at the First Baptist Church of Marlborough, located at the corner of Mechanic and Main streets. The code is lost, but much is known about the majestic Queen Ann church, built in 1887.
Church member Leander Anderson, 66, who has spent his career in construction said, “This building is extremely solid. You can see that by looking at the ceiling in the sanctuary. There are very few stress cracks and very little settling.”
This year, Anderson plans to apply for $40,000 from the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund to paint and repair the exterior of the church. This 50/50 grant will require that the church raise another $40,000.
Linda Rennie, 72, who attended the church from 1973 to 1998, commented that the church was last painted in 1994. At the time, the church’s white exterior was returned to its original colors, which were revealed by scrapping away paint.
Much of what is known about the Marlborough church is from a document: “100 Years for Christ, 1868-1968, First Baptist Church, Marlboro, MASS,” written by Historian Ruth T. Sanford.
According to Sanford, the congregation was founded in 1868 by Father “Fittz” and 16 Baptists. She said that at the time, Baptist churches were already established in Northborough, Westborough, Southborough, Hudson, Bolton, Framingham and Worcester.
Sanford stated that in 1869, the church purchased Marlborough’s old town hall for $1,050, and moved it across the street to a lot at the corner of Main and Florence streets, which they purchased for $1,071. The building was installed above two shops, at a total cost of $8,500. Services were held in a space called Fulton Hall.
The building was sold for $10,000 about 20 years later. Those funds, loans, and contributions from the Baptist State Convention were used to build the current church.
The First Baptist Church of Marlboro was designed by Fitchburg architect H. M. Francis, who also worked on public libraries, commercial buildings and other churches. The Queen Ann features include an asymmetric design, fine interior details, ornate exterior woodwork, a round steeple, and a deep front porch.
Anderson noted, “Francis seemed to have fun with this church. Each sanctuary wall is designed differently, and fitted with stained glass windows in a variety of shapes.”
In 1919, the congregation raised $1,000 for the purchase and installation of its 600-pound bell in the church’s square tower. One side of the bell is inscribed “Victory Memorial Bell” and “Lt. Munroe Brigham,” who died serving in WWI. The other is covered with the names of 67 local “boys and girls” who served in the war.
At the time when the bell was installed, the church had 700 congregants. The numbers have dwindled to about 40, but the bell is rung every Sunday when a member pulls its rope. Pastor Stafford Trapp, 68, who has led the church during the past 20 years, said that he climbed up into the bell tower once and that was enough.
“We are a small congregation with a big building. We manage to operate without outside funding by renting out our facility to other congregations, mission groups and for birthday parties. We are very selective,” he said.
The Shalom Assembly of God, a Brazilian church, rents the church for their Sunday night service.
In 2003, when Pastor Trapp volunteered to shift to a part-time position to ease the church’s financial burdens, he started a full-time job at Home Depot.
Pastor Trapp leads services on Sundays at 10 a.m. Congregant Joelso plays the piano.
“It’s too expensive to play the organ,” said Pastor Trapp. Mostly contemporary music is song by a “praise team.”
The Marlborough congregation is part of the American Baptist branch, which was founded in 1845. Pastor Trapp says that he is focused on joy.
“We are evangelical, and we are about living your faith in your family and your community,” he said.
For those who wish to contribute to the painting fund, send checks to First Baptist Church, 22 Mechanic Street, P.O. Box 248, Marlborough MA 01752. For more information about the First Baptist Church of Marlborough, visit www.firstbaptistmarlborough.org.
Photos/Jane Keller Gordon
