Celebrate the Faith

One hundred fifty-six years ago, at the age of 61, Baptist minister Thomas S. Sheardown stepped off a railroad train, the cutting-edge in transportation in those days, at Hornellsville (now Hornell.) He was following God’s call to establish Baptist churches in the wilderness sections of New York. Elder Sheardown began preaching the Gospel in a Main Street building called Union Hall, organizing the Hornellsville Baptist Church October 15, 1852.

Thomas Sheardown would be honored today to know that his church has followed his example, aiming to be on the cutting-edge of ministry throughout its history. Some highlights of First Baptist’s Gospel ministry include: organizing the first community Good Friday service in 1909; beginning Hornell’s first Release Time Christian education program in 1941; chartering a Boy Scout Troop, starting with Troop 28 in the 1930’s, continuing with Troop 106 followed by the current Troop 37; and adding the Charter of Cub Scout Pack 7 in the 1980’s.

In 1973 the Church established Jacks and Jills Nursery School, the first Christian pre-school in the Canisteo Valley. First Baptist has hosted and provided meeting space for a variety of community programs including Steuben Mental Health Clinic, Alcoholics Anonymous and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers (Faith in Action).

In recent years, participation in national and international mission/work trips has been encouraged and a care-giving ministry has been formalized through participation in the Stephen Ministry program.

For more than a century and a half, Hornell Fist Baptist Church’s men and women, girls and boys have stepped out in faith to open the church doors and reach people for Jesus Christ, Now, as we walk by faith into the years ahead, we remember those who have gone before us. We praise God for His goodness and their faithfulness.

As we look to continue the ministries of the church and deepen our faith as a congregation, we are moving forward with a capital campaign to provide funds for a new worship space. The goal of the campaign is to raise $275,000 for the building project over the course of three years (November 2008 – November 2011).

Celebrate the faith of those who have served God through Hornell First Baptist Church and lend your financial support and participation in Hornell First Baptist Church’s cutting edge ministries through the Celebrate the Faith Campaign.