Our missionary stained glass window portrays the sailing of the Brig “Caravan” from Salem Harbor February 19, 1812, with the first American Missionaries. This window was dedicated on the 150th anniversary of that sailing on March 25th, 1962. Two days later, five new missionaries were commissioned at our church for service overseas. This commissioning paralleled the ordination and commissioning service which was held February 6, 1812 at Tabernacle Church in Salem. These men were Adoniram Judson, Samuel Newell, Samuel Nott, Gordon Hall and Luther Rice. Adoniram Judson and Luther Rice, who sailed to India in two separate ships, studied the scriptures enroute and came to the conclusion that baptism was for those who came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and that baptism was to be by immersion.

Judson and Rice both had left as Congregationalists but, from this decision became Baptists. After reaching their destination, they applied to the Baptists of America for support. Then, the first Baptist for Missions Society was formed in 1814. It became America’s second missions board.

Through the ministry of Adroniram Judson, who translated the Bible into the Burmese language, thousands of Burmese came to know the Lord as their Saviour.

Since its installation in 1962 we have enjoyed worldwide interest in the Judson window, which depicts this famous event. Pictures of the window have appeared in Baptist publications from across the country and many foreign fields as well. For several years our Southern Baptist friends sent tours to Salem to see the window. Every year for almost 20 years the incoming class at Gordon-Cromwell Theological Seminary visits to see the window as they study the life of Judson. In 1987, our church was the focal point of a three day convention to celebrate " Judson's Sailing". This was an American Baptist Churches event of worldwide scope. Other Baptist groups, such as the Massachusetts Baptist Historical Society have also visited our church to hear the Judson story.

The Baptist Society in the Town of Danvers (est. 1793) grew so rapidly that a group felt that a witness should be established in Salem, a few miles away. This wish was carried out in 1803 when the group met, located land in Salem and began building a small wooden building, occupying it in early 1804. Within one year the building was too small for the growing congregation. At a cost of $14,000, they then built the structure that is still in use today. This building was completed in 1806 and dedicated in January of that same year.

Rev. Lucius Bolles was the first pastor and possibly the most noted because of his connection with Adoniram Judson. When Judson and his wife, Anne, arrived in India, a letter was sent to Rev. Bolles, stating that they had turned to Baptist beliefs and were looking to the Baptists of Salem for support. Bolles, in this church, started the First Bible Society and the Foreign Missionary Society and was the first secretary. The pastors who followed witnessed the growth of this church. In the first 100 years there were only 9 pastors, Rev. Bolles serving 29 years.

In 1825 a group of members were "Dismissed", who then established the second Baptist church in Salem and named it Central Baptist. Central reunited with First Baptist in 1909. A mission Church was also built in South Salem and existed for 50 years under its only pastor, Rev. Oliva Brouilette. In 1962, the Judson window was installed in the sanctuary in memory of this man of God.

The early pastors, during that first century, saw the building grow with many expansions. These changes were brought about room by room or with the addition of a balcony in 1850, which changed the seating capacity from 550 to 800. The last major renovation was for Brouilette Hall and the Sunday school rooms in 1956. This second century brought pastors who carried on the tradition of maintaining the beauty of this building. Calling for remodeling to suit the changing times, involving laity to care for our fine pipe organ and continuing the zeal for community service and our mission endeavor. As of 1999, 19 pastors have served First Baptist in 195 years.

Untouched by the "Great Salem Fire" of 1914 that skirted the downtown area and destroyed over 1800 structures, the building remains pretty much the same with the exception of its steeple. The original steeple developed high-wind sway and the cost of maintenance became prohibitive. In 1926 the Board of Trustees deemed the steeple unsafe and voted to take it down. Both Church members and North Salem residents felt the loss.