About us
Our history
With 13 pioneers as charter members, the Ogden Baptist Church was born in a schoolhouse on May 21, 1819. For several years the little group was unable to support a pastor or have its own house of worship. Elder Ely Stone of Wheatland supplied services held in barns, a log schoolhouse and in homes until about 1824 when a church was built near Ogden Center. In 1832-33 the present white frame church of colonial design was built at what then was known as Colby Corners, now the corner of Colby and Washington Streets, Spencerport. This year was significant as well because Rev. Zenas Case was called to be their pastor and served as the longest tenured pastor in the church’s history.
As with many early churches in our nation in the 1800’s, members were disciplined for dancing, using profanity, attending plays, working on the Sabbath, irregular attendance and other transgressions. Old ways gave way to new and in the 1840s oil lamps replaced candles and in 1853 the interior was extensively remodeled. Unfortunately, two organs were stolen from the church in two years. The first one in 1868 was never recovered. It was replaced by a new organ which disappeared one night in 1870. Eventually, the thief, a local youth, was captured and sent to prison after revealing the hiding place of the stolen organ. The organ was returned to OBC and the music program continues strong to this day. The picturesque edifice has seen many changes over the years. The large belfry and the old horse sheds are no more. A parlor, dining room and Sunday School rooms were added in 1953. 2015-16 saw more renovations with a sanctuary remodel and new roof.
Active mission work includes Cameron Community Ministries, Aurora House, Spencerport Ecumenical Ministries, Fairport Baptist Homes, The Coffee Connection, Camps Vick and Pathfinder, Rochester Refugee Settlement, Habitat for Humanity as well as local support of AA meetings and hospitality to all who enter our building. Vibrant, healthy and committed this one-time small farm community church is now part of the ever-changing landscape both geographically and spiritually growing in ministry and in the Spirit.
In 2019, Ogden Baptist Church turned 200 years old! The D&C wrote an article about Rochester's oldest churches.
Ogden Baptist Church prior to 1933
