A History of the Church
On Sunday afternoon, March 15, 1916, a group of 125 people assembled at the home of Mr. Robert Clougher of New Britain, Connecticut, to pray about the formation of a new church in the city of New Britain. The name chosen for this organization was Emmanuel Gospel Church. Emmanuel means "God with us," and Gospel signifies the "good news" of the finished work of Christ on Calvary. Both names seemed appropriate as the name of the new church. For two years the congregation met in Booth Hall on Main Street for their regular Sunday morning, evening, and mid-week services. During these two years financial preparations were being made for the purchase of property suitable for the growing population. Reverend Milton Anderson was the first pastor.
In 1918 the Muir Homestead on Franklin Street was bought. The main building on the premises was remodeled and decorated to serve as church and Sunday school. God blessed in every phase of the work, each department increasing in numbers and in spiritual growth. Reverend Anderson very suddenly and unexpectedly died on December 16, 1919.
Reverend Fred Wilson of New York and Reverend H. S. Miller served until the call of Reverend Harry Landis of Pennsylvania in 1921. During his term of service the Emmanuel Gospel Church building was constructed at 53 Franklin Square in New Britain. There was great rejoicing when the building was finally completed and dedicated to the worship of God. The front entrance stained glass can be seen in our lobby historical display. Reverend George Fletcher, Reverend E. Leonard Smith, and Reverend George LaFlash served as pastors from 1926 to 1933. Reverend Edward Hanson, a native of New Britain, became permanent pastor in 1935 after serving the church on a part-time basis for a number of months. In 1946 he resigned to serve as Director of Evangelism of the New England Fellowship of Boston, Massachusetts. Reverend Edwin R. Anderson became interim pastor until Reverend Ralph Williams was installed as pastor in 1946.
During Pastor Williams' term, it was obvious that more acreage was needed if the church was going to continue to grow; and on December 8, 1968, the building at 505 Church Street, Newington, was dedicated. Pastor Williams served Emmanuel for nearly 28 years after which time he served as Pastor Emeritus until his home-going in April of 1999. The Lord used Pastor Williams in a mighty way as he served his Savior for over 50 years in Emmanuel Baptist Church! Reverend Ralph Wingate, Jr. was installed as pastor on November 25, 1973. During his pastorate, the church experienced great growth. New ministries were added, including Emmanuel Nursery School and Emmanuel Christian Academy.
In 1977 the church purchased eleven acres of property on New Britain Avenue in Newington to handle the growing congregation. In 1983 Pastor Wingate resigned to take the pastorate of a Baptist church in Illinois. Pastor Wally Davis served as pastor for two years. In December of 1985 the church called Dr. David J. Tessman to be its senior pastor. That month, site work commenced on the present church building. The church people did much volunteer labor during the next two years while the building was constructed, saving the congregation nearly $450,000. The beautiful 50,000 square foot edifice was dedicated in December of 1987, at which time the name was changed to Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Pastor Tessman served as pastor until July, 1991, and in May, 1992, the church called J. Michael Bates to be its pastor. He began his ministry on the last Sunday of June, 1992, and he continued in the office of pastor until December, 2006.
Emmanuel Baptist Church enthusiastically entered the twenty-first century with a fresh vision for the Great Commission. Though we are more than ninety years old, we are excited to see what God will do through His church in Newington, Connecticut.
