(photograph of current church from http://www.tewksburybaptists.org//)






FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
(from "Ye Towne Book" of Tewksbury, p. 29)
Previous to 1842 there were three families of Baptistic views residing in the northern part of 
the town, by the name of Farmer, Wood, and Puffer, who had been praying for the establishment of 
a Baptist Church there. In the above year the First Baptist church in Lowell held revival 
services under Elder Knapp and one of those instructed was Mrs. Mehitable Twiss who persuaded 
her neighbors to attend the meetings, among them being Jesse Trull and his sons, Jesse L., Herbert, Larkin and Nathaniel. 
The latter was then in the midst of his spring sawing, five hundred logs were waiting, and the spring water was running to 
saw them. But like an irresistible avalanche the religious power overcame all excuses and he yielded to the urgent request 
of his brother Jesse."

These and several others joined the Lowell church, but continued to attend the church at the Centre for a time, but later 
withdrew to the Town Hall. The following year, 1843, they organized the First Baptist Church in Tewksbury with sixty-eight 
members and erected their building on land donated by Jefferson Farmer. Less than three years later they purchased land 
and built a one and one-half story parsonage of stone.

Their first pastor was Rev. Joseph Graves, and first deacons were Nathaniel Trull and Abijah Upham, who served forty 
and fourteen years respectively.

In 1856 a reed organ was installed and soon a baptistry put in. The church was, in 1867, moved a little northwestward onto 
land given by Jesse L. Trull, and the house displaced became the residence of John L. Moore. Extensive repairs and 
improvements to church and parsonage were made in 1884 and later an organ and ladies' parlor were given by Sara Celeste 
Wood of Philadelphia.

From time to time generous amounts have been spent on the property until now each new pastor comes to a well appointed 
church and his family to a cozy home.

The church has always been an enthusiastic supporter of missions and youth is always well represented in its membership.

Its longest pastorate was that of Rev. F. W. Pride - nearly thirteen years - and its peak of membership (145) was 
attained under Pastor Raymond.

Among the names on its roll of honor, who "do rest from their labors" are: - Twiss, Fiske, Hardy, 
Boutwell, Kendall, Flint, French, Livingston, Morey, and many others beloved. One of its deacons, John L. Moore, lived 
ninety-nine years and one month.

LIST OF PASTORS - Joseph M. Graves, David Burroughs, Lorenzo Tandy, John E. Wood, Clifton Fletcher, Albert H. F. Palmer,  
Eugene E. Thomas, George T. Raymond, Ed. W. Pride, L. W. Frink, A. E. Reynolds, Chas. L. Pierce, Harvey H. Bishop, 
John G. Grace, G.F. Camp, C. L. Frederick, Elmer E. Loux.

LIST OF DEACONS - Nathaniel Trull, Abijah Upham, Lewis Fiske, Thos. Bridge, Peter C. Shedd, Jesse W. Trull, A. Monroe 
Kendall, Albert J. Trull, John L. Moore, Frank B. Trull, James S. Flint, John Trull, Fred L. Hardy, G. Thorndike Trull, 
Everett S. Boutwell, Nathaniel W. Trull.