Illustration published in 1886

The following is derived from
George Reeser Prowell's
History of Camden County, New Jersey
published in 1886

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CAMDEN
By Rev. Isaac C. Wynn, D.D.

Early in the present century a few Baptists from Cohansey settled in Camden. They promptly united with the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, and, notwithstanding the difficulties and dangers of crossing the Delaware (with the rude facilities of the time), regularly attended its services. But provision for their own spiritual needs did not exhaust their sense of obligation. Loyalty to God and His truth, and an ardent desire for the salvation of men, demanded of them the preaching of the gospel to their own townsmen.

The Village Academy, located at Sixth and Market Streets, was their first public meeting-place. There, under the occasional ministry of Rev. Henry Halcomb, D.D., of Philadelphia, and others, began the work of the Baptist denomination in what is now the city of Camden. Soon a strong opposition revealed itself, that closed the doors of the Academy against the little band, whose only offense was faithful adherence to Scriptural teaching and practice.

Though subjected to great inconvenience by this privation, they pushed forward the work to which they believed God had called them with undaunted purpose and unabated ardor. Private houses were opened, and in them the villagers were invited to meet for prayer and conference, and to listen to the preaching of the gospel.

The first church organization was effected February 5, 1818.   Its constituents were Silvanus Sheppard, Phoebe Sheppard, Richard Johnson, Ann Johnson, Isaac Smith, Hannah Ludlam and Eleanor Sheppard. These all came by letters of dismissal from the First Church of Philadelphia. At the same time Silvanus Sheppard and Richard Johnson were elected to the deaconate and ordained. Before the close of 1818, through the self-sacrificing efforts of this heroic little band, the first modest meeting-house rose on the site now occupied by the FIRST CHURCH.

At this time the cause received valuable aid from the frequent visits and earnest labors of Rev. John Sisty, of Haddonfield. In the early years of its history the growth of the church was greatly hindered by the frequent change of pastors, and by long pastor-less periods. From. the year of its constitution (1818) to 1832 it was identified with the "New Jersey Baptist Association," and at the end of that period reported a membership of thirty-seven. The church then withdrew from the New Jersey Baptist Association and became a constituent of the Central Union Association of Pennsylvania, organized July 31,1832. In 1839 it returned to the association in New Jersey, with a membership of one hundred and fifty-eight. 

The year 1842 witnessed the completion of a two-story brick building on the site of the modest structure that for more than twenty years had been the home of the church; and the little company of seven had grown to two hundred and ten. The pastorate of Rev. Thomas E. Taylor began in 1843 and continued to 1854. It was a period of prosperity and growth to the church. Other pastorates had been efficient, considering their brevity. Mr. Taylor's incumbency was the first that was sufficiently protracted to establish wise methods of work. in the church, or to measure the pastor's personal influence upon the community.

In 1848 forty-four members were dismissed to constitute the "Second Baptist Church of Camden."

In the twelve years from 1864 to 1866 five pastorates were crowded. Notwithstanding the frequent change of leaders, the church continued to prosper. In 1859 it gave thirty-seven members to constitute the "North Baptist Church." In 1861 one hundred and fifty-five communicants withdrew to constitute the "Tabernacle Baptist Church." In 1860 the second house was razed, and the present substantial and commodious building was completed and dedicated in 1864.

In 1871 a number of communicants withdrew and constituted the "Trinity Baptist Church," perfecting their organization in 1872.

In April, 1871, negotiations began looking to the union of the First and Tabernacle Churches. The latter, under the pastorates of Rev. A. Earl, Rev. P. L. Davis and Rev. Isaac C. Wynn, had enjoyed ten years of harmonious and successful activity, and reported a membership of two hundred and seventy-nine.

Pending the final decision of an involved legal issue and necessary legislation, the two congregations worshipped together in the house, of the First Church from June 4. 1871, to April 1, 1872, when the union was consummated, under the title of the "Fourth Street Baptist Church, of Camden," with an aggregate membership of three hundred and fifty-one. On the 16th of April, 1883, the corporate title was changed to "The First Baptist Church of Camden, N. J."

The beneficent influence of this union has been felt beyond the limits of the resultant church. It has lessened necessary home expenses, and liberated funds to be applied to the mission work of the denomination. Since the union the life of the church has been healthful and vigorous. Its financial interests have been efficiently managed; $66,202.73 have been expended in the improvement of the property of the church and in the maintenance of its ministries at home, and $9696.81 have been devoted to the various forms of benevolent activity abroad.

During the period from April 1, 1872, to July 31, 1886, the accessions to the membership have been: By baptism, two hundred and sixty-seven ; by letter, two hundred and seventy-one; by experience, twenty-two; by restoration, sixteen,—total, five hundred and seventy-six.  The reductions have been: By death, ninety-eight; by letter, one hundred and sixty-nine; by erasure, thirty-four; by exclusion, sixty-six,—total, three hundred and sixty-seven. The net increase has been two hundred and nine, giving a present membership of five hundred and sixty.

The church has given special emphasis to Bible school work, and in addition to its home school has, for the last five years, sustained a flourishing mission in the southern part of the city. They have an enrollment of seventy officers and teachers, and six hundred and thirty scholars.

REGISTER OF PASTORS.

Daniel James- May, 1818, to November, 1818
John P. Cooper- December, 1818, to March, 1819
Thomas J. Kitts- December, 1819, to March, 1822
Charles J. Hopkins- March, 18'22 to July, 1824.
Robert Compton- September, 1829, to September 1832
Amasa Smith- January, 1833, to September, 1833
William S. Hall- November, 1833, to May, 1834
Thomas C. Teasdale- January, 1835, to October, 1835
Joseph Sheppard- August, 1836, to May, 1838
N. B. Tindall- August, 1838, to September, 1841
William W. Smith- December, 1841, to September, 1842.
Thomas I. Taylor- November, 1842, to January, 1854
John Duncan- May, 1851, to 1857
S. H. Mirick- December, 1857, to 1858
George R. Darrow- from 1859 to 1860
G. G. Ferguson- from 1860 to 1862
B. F. Hedden- from 1862 to 1865.
F. B. Rose- from 1866 to 1870
Isaac C. Wynn- from 1870 

Present Officers: Pastor, Isaac C. Wynn, D.D.; Deacons, Adam Angel, David Lack, Ellwood K. Fortiner, Stacy Gaunt, Charles E. Young, E. M. Howard, M.D., Morris W. Hall; Trustees, Volney G. Bennett, E. A. Armstrong, A. S. Morton, Edward H. Bryan, S. F. Rudderow, C. K. Middleton, William C. Scudder; Clerk, Charles A. Morton ; Treasurer, Samuel G. Rudderow. .