Our History, Identity & Beliefs

First Baptist Church of Waukesha

About Our Church

The First Baptist Church of Waukesha is an American Baptist Church which means that it is an Evangelical, Ecumenical, Interracial, International, and Interdependent Fellowship standing in covenant with God and with other American Baptist Churches. More simply, FBC of Waukesha is guided by Scripture and the Holy Spirit with little emphasis on creeds, but with high priority placed upon absolute liberty of conscience in matters of religious interpretation and discipleship. The local congregation is a source of authority in fellowship with other congregations of like mind and spirit.

According to Reverend Harry Emerson Fosdick, prominent American Baptist theologian:

“The genius of our denomination has been its insistence on the competency and freedom of the individual soul in matters of religion. That emphasis upon individual freedom has been our best contribution to Christian history.”

American Baptist

The American Baptist heritage of freedom of choice in spiritual matters is exemplified by our tradition of Believer’s Baptism. In our denomination, the decision to be baptized is made by the individual when he or she can accept responsibility for a walk of discipleship. Baptism is by immersion in water. In affirmation of the customs of other branches of Christ’s church, baptized, confirmed Christians of other denominations are welcome to join this fellowship by letter of transfer or affirmation of faith.

Worship

Worship is central to our life at FBC. It is at worship that we are enabled, encouraged, empowered by God’s spirit in our midst. Through our participation in worship and the programs of FBC, our involvement in community outreach activities locally, statewide, nationally, and globally; and our personal commitment to discipleship and spiritual growth we witness to the gospel of God’s love in Jesus Christ.

Music

Music has always been an important part of the worship experience at FBC. The voice choir and the bell choir present more traditional music while the praise band brings a contemporary style of music to our church. We are also blessed with several talented church members and friends who bring music to us in solos, both vocal and instrumental.  The grand piano in the sanctuary, the piano in the church parlor, and the two-manual harpsichord, were all given to FBC as memorial gifts.

Pipe Organ History

The Skinner pipe organ was purchased in 1976 from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln , Nebraska , where it had been installed in 1926. A group from FBC traveled to Lincoln , dismantled the organ, carefully marked and packed all of the pieces, and loaded it into a semi-trailer provided and driven by a member. When it arrived in Waukesha , the organ was met and unloaded by over 70 members and friends of FBC.   A smaller group of members and friends worked for almost two years to reassemble and install the organ. The organ now has 2716 pipes.

Opportunities for Growth

FBC offers varied opportunities for members to learn about the place of Christians in the world. BesidesWorship is on Sunday mornings. Other offerings include Sunday School classes for all ages, Vacation Bible School , Retreats, camping experiences for all ages, Mission emphasis, Great Decisions, Coffee Houses, Philathea for women, Men’s Club, Friendly Seniors. Our appreciation for education is underscored by annually presenting scholarships to members and friends of FBC who are enrolled in higher education.

Who We Support

As a congregation we support our Hispanic members in different ways. FBC supports Baptist colleges and seminaries, retirement communities, world and national missions, Head Start, The Women’s Center, Hebron House, etc.   Individual members respond to God’s call by serving in a wide variety of organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, The Caring Place, Meals on Wheels, Milwaukee Christian Center, Interfaith Caregiving Network, Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County, Loaves and Fishes, Volunteer Fire Departments, Service Clubs, Choral Union, AFS, Parent’s Place, Prison Ministry, Channel 4 Weather Observer, Chambers of Commerce, etc.

History

First Baptist church was founded in 1839, ten years before Wisconsin achieved statehood. The Congregation was established by Missionaries from the New York State Baptist Convention. Chartering of the new congregation took place on January 23, 1839 , and was marked by the baptism of two members in the Fox River. The congregation first met in the homes of its members. As it grew, the congregation gathered for Worship in the local schoolhouse. In 1844, land at the intersection of Grand and Wisconsin Avenues was purchased from Morris Cutler and a frame building was erected.

The current building, built in 1872, was designed by Edward Townsend Mix, a regionally important architect. The Victorian Gothic style building was constructed of rock-faced Waukesha limestone. Attenuated buttresses accentuate the pointed arch windows which light the sanctuary. The design is dominated by the steeple, set diagonally to the body of the church and framing the entrance. The sanctuary is without columns, but features decorative hammer beam trusses which enliven the ceiling, drawing the eye upward, and accenting the verticality of the design. Carved fleur de lis, symbols of the lily and the Trinity, grace the building’s exterior and are echoed in the hammer beam trusses and the stained glass windows. The window designs also include grapevines symbolizing the blood of Christ, and oak leaves representing steadfastness, glory, and endurance against adversity. The north wall of the sanctuary is further decorated by a large rose window, a symbol of the sun.

The church is a local landmark and is recognized as a significant example of both the Victorian Gothic architecture and the creative talent of E. Townsend Mix. An addition made to the church and later construction of the education building in 1958 were carefully planned to not detract from the strength and grace of the original edifice.

Our Identity

First Baptist Church of Waukesha is an American Baptist Congregation, proud to

be affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA and the American Baptist

Churches of Wisconsin. 

What We Believe

We at First Baptist Church of Waukesha are a community of Christians from different racial, ethnic cultural and denominational backgrounds. Upheld, sustained and redeemed by God's gracious love, we are united as brothers and sisters by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord. We believe that God calls all of us to be ministers and witnesses to the liberation, forgiveness, healing and new life available through Jesus Christ as revealed to us in the scriptures. 

In order to live out our commitment to Christ, we covenant together:

• To gather regularly in praise and worship of God - to dedicate ourselves to the growth and nurture of our spirits in personal prayer and meditation and to strive to hold ourselves open to the direction of the Spirit for our lives and for our church.

• To care for each other in Christian love - remembering each other in prayer, helping and supporting each other in illness or crisis, trusting each other's integrity in our work together and seeking reconciliation in all our conflicts.

• To participate in the mission of the church - through support of global efforts and active involvement in local ministries.

• To be faithful stewards - responsibly caring for the earth and the church by using and sharing all of the resources available to us; including income, time, skills and talents.

• To teach and guide by example - participating in and supporting the educational offerings of the church, nurturing our children as they grow in the faith and encouraging adults in their faith pilgrimage.

• To live faithfully in the world - being just and kind in our speech and actions, seeking to be peacemakers and striving to be loving and honest in all that we do.

In addition, if we should move from this area, we will seek to unite with another church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant.

Our Constitution and By-Law's

Copies of the Constitution and By Law's for the First Baptist Church of Waukesha Wisconsin are available for you to view by clicking on one of the the following Buttons.