Our mission is to share God’s love through Jesus Christ
About First Baptist
The First Baptist Church of Freehold is a historic, landmark church in the heart of Freehold Boro whose purpose and mission has remained the same throughout its 188-year existence – to share God’s love through Jesus Christ.
We worship in a beautiful Victorian Gothic treasure, but speak to the changing world around us. We are a diverse congregation coming from many different backgrounds, yet we celebrate and rejoice in the unity we have in our faith.
First Baptist is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA and the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey. Alongside these organizations, we support missionaries with services to provide educational opportunities and resources.
Our Staff
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Reverend David Harris, Jr.
INTERIM MINISTER
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Jennifer Corder Garr
MINISTER OF MUSIC
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Francesca Freno
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Our History
Early Days
In 1834, members of the Upper Freehold Baptist Church were dismissed to form the Freehold Baptist Church. Reverend James M. Challis was the pastor of the Upper Freehold Baptist Church and was the pastor of our church, Freehold Baptist Church, for its first year. The first church was located at the corner of the Baptist Cemetery on Barkalow Avenue, built in the late 1700's. The location of this first church building is marked by a memorial monument, which was dedicated on our 125th anniversary – November 28, 1959.
After a growing membership, it was decided upon to build a new church, which was our second church. This second church, where the parsonage is today, was dedicated in 1847.
The sanctuary we worship in today is our third church. In 1889, the cornerstone for our third church was laid on the corner of West Main Street and Manalapan Avenue, as the “Old Church” became inadequate for the size of our growing congregation. Our present church was dedicated in 1890.
Present Day
On November 15, 2009, our church celebrated its 175th anniversary. In our 189-year existence we have had 27 pastors.
In 2015, Reverend William Frederickson, our 26th pastor and longest serving pastor, retired after 27 years.
In September 2016, we welcomed our 27th pastor, Reverend Jonathan Elsensohn.
In early 2023, Reverend Elsensohn left First Baptist to be closer to family. That summer we welcomed Reverend David Harris, Jr., our Interim Pastor. We also began the restoration of our beautiful stained glass windows.