Reverend Henry Pottle, the church’s first Pastor, remained until 1806 and was replaced for one year by Rev. William Bentley. In 1807-1815, a period of 8 years, the church had no Pastoral leadership. The church was ably ministered to during these years by several of the Church Elders. For several months, the church was ministered to by Rev. Samuel Wydown but did not stay for long.
In 1816, a new man answered the call, coming from South Reading. The Rev. Ebenezer Nelson was a man of “below middle structure, wearing a wig and cue dressed in small clothes with knee and shoe buckle.” He was a fine man, “sociable and fond of humor”. He stayed as Pastor for eight years during which 25 members were added to the church rolls.
Sunday school was one of the earliest in Massachusetts. It was formed under Rev. Nelson’s leadership. In 1820, an act of Corporation was procured for First Baptist church of Malden. The corporation was empowered to hold property in the amount of $20,000. It further empowered the corporation to lease or sell pews, and to hold real or personal estate deemed necessary to religious worship, the value of which was not to exceed said $20,000. In 1824, Rev. Nelson presented the church with a peculiar problem , at which time it was requested that he “withdraw his pastoral care”. Just three days after this request, Pastor Nelson became ill, so it was decided to let the matter rest “on account of his affliction and the feelings of the afflicted family.” Rev. Nelson served for 8 years (1816-1824). He died of his “affliction” in May of 1825. Rev. John Cookson was called as the new Pastor. He only served for one year (1824-1825). During his tenure, he authored the first Church Covenant. In 1827, we find the first mention of a choir. This was under the leadership of Rev. J. N. Brown (1826-1828). In 1832, with Rev. Avery Briggs as Pastor, it was voted to build a new choir loft, a dome or belfry was added to accommodate the additional weight of the bell and the Meeting House was shingled and painted. During this same period, a Chapel was added to the Meeting House. In 1840, Reverend Nathaniel Williams was called to serve as Pastor. Under his leadership, a building committee was created to plan and explore the building of a new Meeting house. It’s all about accommodating the growth of attending members, and the current building’s dilapidated state having existed for nearly 40 years. The building committee was authorized to purchase a parcel of land at the corner of Main and Salem Streets for $2,000 and erect the Second Meeting House not to exceed the cost of $8,000. The final worship in the First Meeting House was a rededication of the spiritual values that had been affirmed there. A live brass band, eloquent speeches, and fond memories helped bid farewell to the beloved building.Source: One Hundred and Seventy Five Years of The First Baptist Church of Malden (1803-1978), 1st Edition by Dorothy L. Foxon, May 1979.
One Hundred and Ninety Five Years of The First Baptist Church of Malden (1803-1998), Addendum to 175th Church History by Rev. Martha A. Dominy
Article: Historical Account of our Missionary Effort by David L. Williams, 2003
Article: On Free-Will vs. Predestination (ca 1812) by David L. Williams, 2003
Article: Our Judson Heritage by David L. Williams, 2003