CHURCH HISTORY
On November 11, 1927, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sandy
McCormick, 375 Oak Street, Passaic, New Jersey the Roger
Williams Baptist Church was organized. Its charter members
were previously a prayer band that held meetings at the homes
of Mrs. Sarah Duhart and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Haskins.
The church elected its first pastor and founder, The Reverend
Samuel Arressi Donnell, who preached his first sermon on
Sunday, November 12, 1927.
The original location for the church was at the end of Chestnut
Street, between Tulip Street and Gregory Avenue. Rev. Donnell
named the church in honor of Roger Williams,
who in 1639, founded the first Baptist church in North America.
Rev. Donnell, was a scholar with great insight and vision who
was truly ahead of his time. He instituted a training program for
teachers, deacons and deaconess. He developed a community
center at the church, a daily Vacation Bible Class and a tennis
court on the church's property.
In 1928, the membership enrollment was 112, at which time
$1,585 had been raised towards the purchasing of new property.
In 1941, after 14 years of faithful service, Rev. Donnell resigned.
On April 29, 1942, The Reverend Walter H. Stevenson was
called. During his administration, the church purchased the
property at 362 Oak Street, Passaic, New Jersey, where the present building was erected.
On Sunday, April 29, 1973, Rev. Stevenson lead the church in a
Mortgage Burning ceremony. Rev Stevenson was a builder and
progressive leader who served as pastor for thiry-four years,
until his passing on February 6, 1976.
After a fire in the sanctuary, a complete church renovation was
begun. The church installed a new public address system and
carpeting. A new piano and organ were purchased for the
sanctuary. The fellowship hall was totally renovated, also. The
steps at the entrance of the church, the glass crosses on the
sanctuary doors, and the steel doors, which replaced the original
wooden doors were installed.
During Rev. Rucker's seventeen year tenure as pastor, he
served believing that if God's people continued to "Seek ye first
the kingdom of God and His righteousness all other thing would
be added unto them." On September 29, 1993, due to serous
illness and demanding health problems, Rev. Rucker was no
longer able to continue as pastor. As pastor and innovator, Rev.
J. G. Rucker created an atmosphere of spiritual growth, that will
never be forgotten at Roger Williams Baptist Church.
As a result of Rev. Rucker's sudden illness and departure, the
church was without a pastor for two and one half years.
On June 12, 1994, the prayers of the church were answered.
The Reverend Charles Dwight Hill, II of Newark, New Jersey
accepted God's call for him to become pastor of the Roger
William's Baptist Church.
Pastor Hill served the church faithfully for two years. During his
tenure as teacher and leader, he guided his flock to a spiritual
growth development and understanding. This was a blessing
and encouragement to the advancement of God's work.
It was at this period, because of pressing matters and under the
influence of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Hill felt led to pursue the
Lord's work in another area of the country.
Once again, Roger Williams Baptist Church was without a
pastor. With prayer, fasting, efforts of the Pulpit Committee and
with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, an anointed young man of
God, in the name of The Reverend W. B. Davidson, Sr.
came forth.
On June 20, 1997 Rev W.B. Davidson Sr. was officially called
to serve as pastor of the Roger Williams Baptist Church. His
installation service on November 16, 1997 was during the 70 year
Anniversary of the founding of the church, which took place on
November 11, 1927