Woodstock Baptist Church
Celebrating Heritage and Hope – 170 Years of God’s Faithfulness

A Brief History

Evangelists of both Baptist and Free Christian Baptist persuasion visited Woodstock in early years. An evangelist by the name of Elder Samuel Hartt is credited with the organization of a church dating back to August 22, 1834. At this time, a small group of nine people became the members of the first Free Christian Baptist Church of Woodstock. A large plaque in the sanctuary displays the names of these believers.

The first organizational meetings took place in a carpenter’s shop in the downtown. Later the church owned a building near present day
Dr. G.F. Clark’s residence.

In 1858 a large and commodious meeting house, complete with vestry, stood north of the present site. By 1884 the membership had grown to more than three hundred, It was during the ministry of Elder G. W. MacDonald that this building was destroyed by fire.

Soon work began on the construction of a larger building. The new building was dedicated on August 2, 1885. We worship today in an expanded and updated church that has grown from that same building.

In October 1905, the Free Baptists and the Baptists joined and the United Baptist denomination was formed.  At this time, there were two United Baptist Churches in Woodstock, one on Main Street and one on Albert Street. These churches amalgamated in 1906. The Main Street United Baptist Church became the chosen location and the Albert Street United Baptist Church was sold. The renewed church was dedicated to the Lord on May 25, 1908.

During the ministry of Dr. Henry Allaby the Christian Education Center was completed and dedicated in 1959.  A large gymnasium was a major component of this addition.

In the fall of 1999, under the ministry of Dr. Malcolm Card, an Access Project was completed. An elevator was installed and washrooms were added on the sanctuary level.

The Woodstock Baptist Church of today acknowledges God’s faithfulness to us for the past 170 years.  As the Church moves forward in the 21st century, we will continue to follow the Lord’s command to share the Good News with all nations. (Matthew 28:18, Genesis 12:1-3)

We are grateful for all that God has done, but we look forward with even more anticipation of what He has in store for the future!