First Baptist Church in America
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The First Baptist Church in America is the oldest Baptist church in the United States, founded by Roger Williams in Providence, Rhode Island in 1638. Arminian in tone, in the spirit of Christian liberty and free communion, it not long afterward became virtually what is now known as a Free Baptist church.
Arminian, free communion Baptist churches appeared in North Carolina at an early date. The Original Freewill Baptists of North Carolina claim to trace their origin to the General Baptists of England (Wales). The largest of the several "Freewill" Baptist bodies is that which has grown out of the church organized by Benjamin Randall in New Durham, New Hampshire, June 30, 1780. This was formed as a result of Calvinistic intolerance.
Today the Baptist churches have generally become Calvinistic and Premillennial in doctrine (especially the independent Baptist). However, Free Will Baptists still remain faithful to the original doctrine of the First Baptist church in America.
