First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain
(First Baptist Church in Needham has merged with First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain toward a new and exciting iteration of ministry and mission)
Worship on Sunday mornings will be held at 11am at First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain, www.firstbaptistjp.org.
Scroll down on the page for more information about previous services and important announcements.
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Dear FBC Needham Community,
It is with great joy and anticipation that I write to you with news regarding First Baptist Church in Needham’s transition.
After much discernment, deliberation and prayer, the Administration Ministry of First Baptist Church in Needham recommended that FBC Needham merge with The First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain. On January 22, 2023, at the Annual Business Meeting of First Baptist Church in Needham, the motion to merge with FBCJP was approved by a two-thirds majority vote of our active membership. We are convinced that this merger will be a life-giving one for our Needham community and church members.
This is the first faithful step in a new direction, and while we cannot predict all that the future holds, we can do what seems good and right for this time and moment in the life of our beloved church.
The vision for our building at present is that it will function as a center for community programming, mission, and worship. There is great synergy between our two churches in our hopes for our property and resources; we trust that these will be stewarded toward life-giving goodness for our community and beyond.
FBCJP’s vision for ministry and mission, their care for community and neighbor, and inclusive, Christ-centered witness in the world are in alignment with our own priorities at FBC Needham. Their capacity for ministry is bigger than their current building and resources. Our building and resources are bigger than our current capacity, and so we will join up our visions, our dreams, and energies toward something new and good for our community, and the ministries of First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain and their Centre for Faith, Art and Justice, that also allows for our remaining members to have a spiritual home and continued pastoral care.
We trust that this transition will honor the legacy of First Baptist Church in Needham, and its 167 years of ministry. We are hopeful for this possibility and for all the ones that will grow out of this faithful process.
With gratitude for the journey,
Rev. Daryn Stylianopoulos, Pastor
First Baptist Church in Needham
THANK YOU TOWN MEETING!
Our Front Porch is looking great.
There are small, weather-dependent finishing touches yet to be made, but the majority of the work has been completed. We are grateful for the restoration of this historic landmark in Needham.