We are the First Baptist Church in Dorchester, located on the corner of Ashmont and Adams Streets in Dorchester, Massachusetts. We are a multicultural American Baptist congregation, providing weekly Sunday morning services and Tuesday evening Bible study classes. If you are looking for a church home or simply want to stop by for a visit, we hope that you find our church a warm and welcoming faith community.
Who We Are
The First Baptist Church in Dorchester first began as the First Baptist Society in Dorchester over 180 years ago, in a small one-story wooden meeting house on Chickatawbut Street. As the congregation grew, the original meeting house was sold and the church moved to its present location on the corner of Adams and Ashmont Streets in 1907.
We are a member of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts (TABCOM), a regional chapter of American Baptist Churches USA. As American Baptists, we believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior, and that the Bible is the authoritative and trustworthy guide for knowing and serving the God.
As a Christian fellowship, we strive to share the love of Christ. At FBCD, we are a diverse church family and we welcome all those seeking a church home or hoping to deepen their relationship with God and God’s people.
“Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus as our Savior; and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into the covenant with one another as one body in Christ.”
Excerpt from the Covenant of the First Baptist Church in Dorchester
What to Expect when you Visit
Our Sunday morning worship service starts at 10:30am in-person and on Zoom. Towards the end of the morning service, we take some time of fellowship to reflect on the scripture and sermon of the day. Following morning worship, members of the congregation and guests gather for coffee and pastries.
Our worship is fairly traditional, but at the same time informal in presentation. Congregational singing is made up of traditional hymns and an increasing use of more contemporary songs as well.
Our church also provides Bible study classes on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm on Zoom (online only, no in-person).
We are led by the wonderful Rev. Dana Gonsal. Prior to coming to FBCD, Rev. Gonsal served at People’s Baptist Church in Boston. He is also an accomplished entrepreneur and a passionate community advocate.