First Baptist Church of Paterson and The Underground Railroad

Founded in 1824 as the Particular Baptist Church, Paterson’s First Baptist Church was a powerful force for social change and a pivotal hub of the abolitionist movement. It made history as the city’s first integrated church by welcoming Cuffee Josephs, a free Black man, into its congregation in 1827. The church’s radical commitment to racial equality was embodied by its pastor, Charles Denison, who resigned in 1839 to become a full-time abolitionist clergyman and newspaper editor. Other congregants, including Wright Flavell, Joseph Cherry, and Orrin Vanderhoven, were instrumental in the cause, actively signing the charter for the first New Jersey State American Anti-Slavery Convention in 1841.

The influence of First Baptist extended far beyond its walls, profoundly shaping Paterson’s political and civic life. Its members—a powerful network of clergymen and influential congregants such as John J. Brown, Henry Low, and Henry Crosby—held key positions as mayors, aldermen, and civic leaders. Their leadership was essential in forming the local Republican Party and operating the Underground Railroad, providing vital safe houses and supplies to those escaping slavery.

When the Civil War broke out, the congregation’s patriotic spirit was clear: 21 members were among the first to enlist, inspiring over 2,000 Patersonians to join the Union Army. The church’s commitment to justice continued after the war, supporting freedmen and reconstruction efforts. Notable members included Captain Hugh Irish, who sold his store to help fund and form the 13th Infantry; Lieutenant Joseph E. Crowell, who served as an honor guard at President Lincoln’s funeral; and Dr. Elias Joseph Marsh, credited with helping bring the war to an end after the Appomattox surrender.

The legacy of First Baptist Church stands as a powerful testament to a congregation that not only preached freedom and equality but actively fought for these ideals—and for civic duty—during a transformative era in American history.