This church was organized in 1822, and Rev. William Green became its first pastor, which relation he sustained with great acceptance until 1841, when
Rev. Eli S. Bailey assumed the pastoral charge for one year, and was succeeded by
Rev. Joel Green, who, in 1845, resigned his station to Rev. G. M. Langworthy.
Rev. Alexander Campbell is the present incumbent.
This church has been blessed with several revivals of religion, and is a very efficient community. Unlike some of its sister churches, it has always been in a sound and healthy condition, and at present holds a high rank among the most decided friends of all the principles and institutions of the denomination.
FIRST SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, BROOKFIELD, NEW YORK.
As early as 1791, several members of the Hopkinton Church emigrated to this place and began a settlement. The country at that time was wild and uninhabited. Hills and valleys were covered with forests in all their primeval majesty, through which the wild deer and the Indian roamed. But the hand of industry soon wrought a wonderful transformation in this now beautiful country. The woods disappeared. Green pastures and yellow harvests waved in the valleys. The hills were crowned with cottages, homely, indeed, but delightful, for they were the abodes of piety and content. There was temporal comfort and prosperity. There was spiritual happiness and godly hope. The Sabbath was neither forgotten nor neglected. It was linked with too many hallowed memories, too many sweet and pleasant associations, too many blessed reminiscences of home, of kindred, of heaven, ever to be deserted by those who were exiled by the force of circumstances from the delightful scenes of their youth. Meetings were instituted, and continued from house to house, and many precious seasons were enjoyed before the organization of the church.
In the autumn of 1797, they were visited by Elders Burdick and Coon, of Hopkinton, and by them constituted a church in sister relation. They numbered at first but twenty members.
Rev. Henry Clarke became their first pastor, in which relation he continued until 1829.
Rev. Eli S. Bailey received ordination in 1819, and the same year became associated with Elder Clarke in the ministry.