Name/Title
First Baptist Church of Groton PostcardsEntry/Object ID
2026.001.013Scope and Content
Color postcard of the First Baptist Church of Groton at its former location near the intersection of Cold Spring and Yetter Roads in Mystic, published by Charles Q. Eldredge, 1924. This was the second church building, a two-story gambrel roof structure constructed in 1790 to replace the original church built in 1718 (it is misidentified on the card).
"Built in 1705 and now standing. This is the first Parsonage ever built in America, and was erected by the First Baptist Church of Groton, Conn. Series of post cards by Chas. Q. Eldredge. At Private Museum, Old Mystic, Conn., 1924."
The card is addressed to Mrs. William S. Beckwith, Old Mystic, Conn. with a message that reads: "Dear Friend, So sorry to hear of your illness. Hope you are gaining everyday. We think and speak of you often. Love and best wishes. Sept. 27. Mr. E. Eldredge."Collection
First Baptist Church of Groton CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2026.001Source or Donor
First Baptist Church of GrotonAcquisition Method
GiftLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
PostcardNomenclature Sub-Class
Writing MediaNomenclature Class
Written Communication T&ENomenclature Category
Category 06: Tools & Equipment for CommunicationSearch Terms
First Baptist Church of GrotonArchive Details
Creator
Old Mystic Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of GrotonDate(s) of Creation
1924Provenance
Notes
Admin or Biographical History: The First Baptist Church of Groton was the first Baptist church to be established in the State of Connecticut. On October 5, 1704, twelve residents of Groton (then a part of New London) petitioned the General Assembly for the right to separate from the Congregational Church and establish a meeting house for the Baptist faith. These twelve dissenters were Sergeant William Stark, John Culver, Isaac Lamb, Ephraim Culver, William Chubb, John Hammett, Mercy Culver, Elizabeth Lamb, Elizabeth Stark, Mary Hadgell, Margaret Chubb and Sarah Culver. Although this petition was ignored, the dissenters established the church in 1705 and invited Rev. Valentine Wightman to serve as their pastor. Three generations of Wightmans would serve as pastors for the church for a cumulative 125 years: Valentine Wightman (1705-1747), Timothy Wightman (1754-1796) and John Gano Wightman (1800-1841).
The first church building was constructed in 1718 on the lands of William Stark, near the present intersection of Cold Spring and Yetter Roads in Mystic. This building stood until 1790, when it was demolished and a new church building about twice the size was erected on the same site. In 1844 the congregation moved to a new church building on Route 27 in Old Mystic. In 1867 a new building was erected at this site to accommodate the church's growing congregation. In 1972, the congregation (then using the name Old Mystic Baptist Church) moved again to a newly constructed church at 151 Shewville Road. The church closed permanently in 2018.