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First Baptist Church is a
The church was formed by 12 fugitive enslaved persons in 1826, under the leadership of Elder Washington Christian. Reverend Christian was a former enslaved individual who established multiple Baptist churches in Canada.
It had not been possible to attend existing white churches because the fugitives were required to have a letter from their old church and to pay their old slave masters for the money lost due to their escape.
At first, services were held outside or in the homes of members of the church. Reverend Christian rented a 
The name "First Baptist Church" began being used in the 1940s.
The church relocated to its current address at Huron Street and D'Arcy Street in 1955. The previous property was sold to
Baptist
Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only (believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul compete ...
in Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...
, Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...
, affiliated with Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec
Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ) is the oldest union of Baptist churches in central Canada. The organization's headquarters is based in Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. CBOQ is a partner of Canadian Baptist Ministries.
History
...
. It is both the first Baptist
Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only (believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul compete ...
congregation in Toronto and the oldest black institution in the city. Formed by fugitive enslaved persons, the church played a large role in the abolitionist movement
Abolitionism, or the abolitionist movement, is the movement to end slavery. In Western Europe and the Americas, abolitionism was a historic movement that sought to end the Atlantic slave trade and liberate the enslaved people.
The British ...
, including hosting lectures against slavery and offering aid to fugitives.
In its long history, the church's location has changed multiple times. Today it holds service at 101 Huron Street.
History
The church was formed by 12 fugitive enslaved persons in 1826, under the leadership of Elder Washington Christian. Reverend Christian was a former enslaved individual who established multiple Baptist churches in Canada.
It had not been possible to attend existing white churches because the fugitives were required to have a letter from their old church and to pay their old slave masters for the money lost due to their escape.
At first, services were held outside or in the homes of members of the church. Reverend Christian rented a masonic temple
A Masonic Temple or Masonic Hall is, within Freemasonry, the room or edifice where a Masonic Lodge meets. Masonic Temple may also refer to an abstract spiritual goal and the conceptual ritualistic space of a meeting.
Development and history
In ...
in 1827. Although some white congregants attended the black church's services, a church for white members was established in 1829.
There were reportedly 66 members of the First Baptist Church in 1837. In the same year, a visitor noted that half the congregation was white, half was black.
In 1841, the congregation moved to its first permanent location after being gifted land by the family of Squires McCutcheon to build a church at Queen Street and Victoria Street. Soon after, white members left for a different Baptist church. In 1843, Elder Washington Christian went to Jamaica
Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...
for two years, returning with enough raised funds to pay off the new church's mortgage. The location was known as "First Coloured Calvinistic Baptist Church" or "Queen Street Coloured Baptist Church."
In 1905, it relocated to University Avenue and Edward Street, at which point it was known as "University Avenue Baptist Church".The name "First Baptist Church" began being used in the 1940s.
The church relocated to its current address at Huron Street and D'Arcy Street in 1955. The previous property was sold to Shell Oil Company
Shell USA, Inc. (formerly Shell Oil Company, Inc.) is the United States-based wholly owned subsidiary of Shell plc, a UK-based transnational corporation " oil major" which is amongst the largest oil companies in the world. Approximately 18,000 ...
and the building was demolished.
In 2000, baptized membership was approximately 140 and about the same number attended Sunday church services.
Locations
References
External links
* {{Official website, http://www.fbctoronto.ca/ Baptist churches in Toronto Black Canadian culture in Toronto 19th-century Baptist churches 20th-century Baptist churches Demolished buildings and structures in Toronto Religious organizations established in 1826 1826 establishments in Upper Canada 20th-century churches in Canada 19th-century churches in Canada