James E Dean

The Oldest Baptist Church in America James E Dean

Where did the Baptist faith first find footing in the New World? The choice lies between two locales, Newport, RI or Providence, RI. The First Baptist Church, Newport was said to be established in 1639 by Roger Williams. Did this church cease to exist after the departure of Roger Williams over the practice of "laying on of hands" until its reorganization in 1650? Should the Providence Church lose its position as the oldest Baptist Church because of William's secession from the Church's parent body? These are the questions that James E. Dean examined in depth in his dissertation for the Baptist Bible Institute in 1921. It is an interesting look into the quest of two churches for the honor of being considered the first Baptist Church in America.