Ithaca, New York
Calendar + Life
from 1821 and the organization of the Baptist Conference of Danby, the roots of the First Baptist Chirch reach deeply into the history of Central New York.
Relocated to Ithaca in 1826, as the majority of members were Ithaca, rather than Danby residents, the first meeting in Ithaca was held on 18 October 1826 in the Court House, with Rev. O. C. Comstock, pastor of the Trumansburg First Baptist Church preaching alternate Sundays through the first winter.
On 28 May 1827 the first trustees were elected, thus forming the legal organizaiton of the church. The next day saw purchase of the first site for the new church, with the first building completed in 1831 at the cost of about $7,000. This first building was destroyed by fire in 1854, with a new building completed by the Fall of 1855.
In June of 1880, the Rev. Robert T. Jones began his thirty-five year ministry. One of his major accomplishments was the construction of the current building, completed in 1890.
While the 19th centrury saw the completion of the building, the 20th century would witness the church in action in belief, faith and the local community...
