1906: GRACE BAPTIST 10TH ANNIVERSARY

I will leave any residual comments on this and the following graphic from the Grace Baptist Church to my friend and expert on things Baptist in the city of Trenton and the surrounding area, Alan Wildblood. Alan has the uncanny ability to add pertinent information on many of my posts. One good thing about these historic articles lies in the fact that very far into the distan future, and assuming this website survives, there will be many researchers mining (or should I say "digging up") these little bits and pieces of local history. If and when other historic articles appear as I peruse thousands of Trenton newspaper pages, they will be posted for present and future visitors.

I HAVE MOVED THIS PREVIOUS POST TO THE TOP. ALAN WILDBLOOD HAS DUTIFULLY PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING INTERESTING HISTORICAL COMMENTARY TO THE ABOVE ARTICLE, JUST AS I KNEW HE WOULD AND COULD. THANKS ALAN!
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ALAN WROTE:

Having been challenged and sugar-plummed into commenting, I will much oblige. I personally only recall meeting two Grace Baptist members, James Manser and Damon Silvers, in the 1950s and 1960s.

The 1897 host, Theodore Matthews, and wife Anna joined First Baptist Church “by letter” in 1886. I do not believe their transfer to Grace Baptist was recorded in the First Baptist roll book, which I have transcribed. The James Gordon mentioned - numerous references spell his name with two O’s and no E - was a Civil War veteran and Pennsylvania Railroad employee. He joined First Baptist Church “on experience” in 1895 and was a member of the Advisory Board there. James lived on Perry Street and died at the age of 74 in 1912. His obituary stated that he founded the Fleet Wing Hook and Ladder Company of Lambertville.

It appears that the longest-serving pastor of Grace Baptist was Rev. Oscar Henderson, who led the congregation from 1923 or earlier to 1962. He was succeeded by Rev. Kent Kiser. Rev. Harvey Chollar was an earlier Grace pastor, leaving the West End in 1916.

In 1923 Grace Baptist burned its mortgage on the building constructed in 1901-02. The match was applied by the oldest living charter member, Charles Bennett.

In 1979 Grace proposed a merger with First Baptist, but the mother church declined.

However, in 2006, under Rev. Vaughn Foster, Grace offered to share its facilities and collaborate with the Perfecting Saints Church, shepherded by Rev. Ethan Evans, who is now the sole pastor of the combined congregations, known as Grace Baptist and Perfecting Saints.

Finally, since it is that season, I have transcribed a brief item from the Trenton Times of December 31, 1897: “The West End Baptist Mission, J. Robert Weber, superintendent, had an enjoyable Xmas entertainment on Wednesday evening. Old Kriss was there and 60 children and as many guests were loaded down with gifts of handsome baskets of candy, nuts and fruit, also toys for the boys and girls. The mission was only started in September, and although but three months old, has grown to good size.”

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