History of First Baptist Church of Englewood

In 1893, the First Baptist Church was established in Englewood, New Jersey. Names such as Harris, Zimmerman, and Butts seemed to belong to the true organizers and founders. The record shows a struggling history, a handful of people carrying on in the early days of incorporation. By 1903, there is a marked improvement shown in the work of the group, they moved from a tent to a house and later erected a church building at 61 William Street.

The ministers who served the group were: The Rev. Wilson, who seems to have been the first pastor, followed by the Rev. Brooks who must have been involved in the organization of the church. There appears a period of obscurity in the life and work of the church, at least in the written history, until the Rev. Harris was called to the pastorate. Rev. Harris brought the church a long way in community and state recognition. The mark of his service was lasting and impressive.

The Rev. C. H. Pearson was called about 1932 and under his ministry the church became well known, not only locally and state-wide, but also nationally. The Rev. Pearson was a great leader and did much to establish the church. His pastorate lasted for sixteen years.

Dr. J. Isaiah Goodman was called in June of 1948 to succeed Rev. Pearson as Pastor. Dr. Goodman accepted the call and began his ministry at First Baptist on the third Sunday in September 1948. Pastor Goodman began his leadership of First Baptist in a period of transition and growth. He found much to be done in every phase of community and church activity. Soon the church building became inadequate for comfortable worship and a remodeling and beautification project was begun. The sanctuary was renovated, the choir stand was elevated and an office for the Pastor was constructed. The interior appearance of the church was completely changed. Later, a conference room, an office, club or meeting rooms and a fully furnished kitchen were added.

The land upon which the present church building and parsonage stand was purchased for $24,000. Under the leadership and vision of Dr. Goodman the design of the current church edifice was developed and erected at a cost in excess of $350,000. Upon completion of the building a Church Dedication Service was held, Sunday, September 18, 1966.

Dr. Goodman led the congregation to join the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC) because of its commitment to Dr. Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights movement. Dr. Goodman was a founding member of the New Jersey Convention of Progressive Baptist (NJCPB) and served as its first President. Pastor Goodman licensed and/or ordained a number of men and women into the ministry Rev. Donald Hilliard (now, Bishop), Rev. John W. Brown, Rev. William Juhan, Rev. K. Irma Green, who was the first woman licensed and ordained at First Baptist, and Rev. Dr. John H. Spencer, Jr.

In April of 1992, Rev. Goodman announced his decision to retire. In September of 1992, the congregation of the First Baptist Church voted to call Rev. John H. Spencer, Jr. to succeed Dr. Goodman as Pastor. Rev. Spencer had served First Baptist since June of 1990 as an Assistant to Rev. Goodman and received the retiring Pastor’s endorsement. During the watch night worship service on December 31, 1992 and January 1, 1993 the “Passing of the Mantle” occurred and the leadership and pastorate of First Baptist was passed seamlessly from Dr. J. Isaiah Goodman to Rev. John H. Spencer, Jr. Dr. J Isaiah Goodman’s pastorate lasted forty-four years.

During the pastorate of Rev. Dr. John H. Spencer, Jr. First Baptist began a ministry to the homeless people of Bergen County. First Baptist opened its doors to the homeless as a member of the Inter-Religious Fellowship of Bergen County’s rotating shelter and established a Summer Youth Employment Program which assisted its young people in finding summer jobs. Pastor Spencer made First Baptist a place where members of the church and the community came for help. A Narcotics Anonymous group began to meet weekly at the church. First Baptist hosted annual debates between candidates running for state and local offices and became a center for community activism regarding: quality education, justice and the general welfare of all people. As part of its commitment to world missions, First Baptist established a relationship with a sister church in Nyantanga, Rwanda and supplied both financial aid and spiritual support to its Rwandan members. Inspired by the Holy Spirit Pastor Spencer lead First Baptist in becoming the first African-American congregation in the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey (ABCNJ) to plant and nurture a Hispanic Baptist Church.

A non-profit organization was established, aptly named, the “SonRise Development Corporation” and property adjacent to the church was purchased. The existing home on the property was converted into the “SonRise House.” The SonRise House is a transition home for homeless women and their children. SonRise Development Corporation operates three departments, His Invitation to Victory which is an HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention program; SonRise Family Services, a program geared toward strengthening the family unit; and SonRise House, a transitional home for homeless women and their children.

Under Dr. Spencer’s leadership major repairs and improvements were made to the aging church building and facilities. The mortgages on the Church building, the parsonage and the SonRise House have been paid for and burned.

Pastor Spencer believes strongly in training and equipping people for the ministry. He demonstrated that commitment by obtaining his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degrees during his pastorate. Rev. Dr. Spencer licensed and/or ordained the following men and women into the gospel ministry: Rev. Tony Lee, M.Div., Pastor of Community of Hope, Hillcrest Heights, Maryland; Rev. Dr. Terrence S. Keeling, Pastor of Central Baptist Church, Wilmington, Delaware; Minister Barbara Backous; Rev. Gerard Cantalupo M.Div., Rev. Marilyn Peoples; Rev. William Simmons, III, M.Div.; Minister Geneice Mitchell; and Rev. Sanetta D. Ponton, M.Div.; Min. Debra B. Spencer.

Under Rev. Dr. Spencer’s leadership First Baptist continued its membership in Progressive National Baptist Convention, (PNBC) and the New Jersey Convention of Progressive Baptist (NJCPB). Pastor Spencer was President of the NJCPB and served on the Executive Board of the PNBC for four years during his pastorate. Pastor Spencer called First Baptist to pursue the following Mission: “Through the power of the Holy Spirit we transform evil into Good, pain into Wellness, and death into New Life.” He also challenged the congregation to become a NEW LIFE church where everyone is Nurtured, Encouraged, Welcomed, Loved, Inspired, beFriended and Equipped.

In 2016, Rev. Dr. Spencer became convinced that the Lord required a change in leadership that would enhance First Baptist’s ability to overcome current challenges and secure a better future. In October 2016, Pastor Spencer announced his plan to retire on December 31, 2017. He called the church to pray for God’s direction during this year of transition. He provided basic instruction and information to the Deacon Board for the establishment of a pastoral search committee and the transition to new leadership. Rev. Dr. John H. Spencer, Jr.’s pastorate last-ed twenty-five years. His final sentiment for the FBC Family was “A Great History becomes a Great Future when Ordinary People attempt Great things.”

Rev. Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah was called in February 2023 to be the seventh Pastor. She accepted the call and began her historic pastorate, as the first woman pastor in the 129 year history, on the second Sunday in March 2023. Rev. Owusu-Ansah preaches with conviction, teaches with clarity, and shepherds with compassion. Rev. Donna was installed as our seventh Pastor on September 9, 2023. We anticipate the great future that God has in store for the First Baptist Church of Englewood under the leadership of the Rev. Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah. To God be the Glory!