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When a door opens, it is to let the outside in, as much as it is to let what’s inside come out.
This is why the doors of the First Baptist Church of Saratoga have been a welcoming sight to the community since 1793. “The church has always been the center of a community. It’s where people care for each other. The actual process of what that looks like is something that evolves over the generations,” said Office and Facilities Coordinator Doris Segrave.
ECHOES OF HISTORY
The country’s first President, George Washington, was in office during the same time that the First Baptist Church of Saratoga was founded by 10 families in the Town of Malta.
Today, 225 years later, it has become home to Saratoga’s oldest continuous congregation. After being based in several other locations, their current Washington Street Greek Revival building was constructed in 1855.
“This building honors our community and its history – a history that will never be able to be repeated – and it needs to stand. This building happens to be one of the gifts that we have and can share with everyone,” said Segrave.
The sounds echoing through the sanctuary seem to sing a song of joy.
Financial donations and several grants have funded the restoration and preservation efforts invested into this beautiful structure, including the replacement of five of their 17 stained glass windows.
The Church is still looking for additional funds and/or volunteers to help with refurbishing altar chairs, repairing the cracked ceiling, and other construction projects.
“It’s a team effort to restore and celebrate what we have,” said Segrave.
A large selection of the Church’s historical documents has been donated to the archives at the Saratoga Historical Society to give the public access to letters, books, hymnals and more that has been collected through the years.
HOPE IS A DOOR
For 42 years, Segrave has been a part of this historic Church taking on a new life.
Once focused more on ministry within its revered walls, during the last few years, a shift has been taking place, guided by the Mission of the Gospels and led by Pastor George Stefani.
“The Church needs to be a beacon of hope. Jesus never had a church. He went to where the people were,” said Stefani.
For Saratoga’s transient populations, this beaming light of caring and love is a comfort to be received gladly.
From April until November, the Saratoga Race Course backstretch workers enjoy a meal and ministry onsite through the Church’s “Twice Fed” services. Along with other area churches, the “Twice Led” women’s group meets to learn sewing, financial budgeting, and other life skills. They share stories and enjoy each other’s company.
“It’s really wonderful. It’s becoming their haven, their hope. We’re there to be their friends. To stand beside them and make them feel like Saratoga is their community, too,” said Segrave.
WELCOME HOME
Home is a place where you feel safe.
Working with Wellspring to help support survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, the Church has taken up collections to supply women with the material goods they need to get a fresh start.
First, they started by providing sheets for Wellspring’s temporary shelter and now they assemble “Welcome Home Kits” to help with the survivor’s transition into affordable, safe housing. These packages contain items such as kitchenware, cleaning supplies, and personal care items.
The First Baptist Church of Saratoga also strives to ease the mental and emotional burdens of the community.
Only about half of the participants in their Grief Share programs are members of the church. The other half are simply looking for the support that the 13-week non-denominational Christian counseling program offers.
Pastor Stefani and his wife also open the doors to their own home for a widow’s support group and a monthly parents meeting.
“It’s a more relaxed environment that gives them the opportunity to share the uniqueness of their experience,” said Stefani.
GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE
“Homeless” is a term that applies to more people than just the
ones you see sleeping on benches or sitting on the curb.
Saratoga’s homeless are often bouncing from sofa-to-sofa or staying in undisclosed locations. Homeless is also a term used to characterize more than 100 children in the Saratoga Springs School District.
Once the Church is informed of a homeless child’s current needs, they will provide clothing or other items.
Stefani also believes the Church can help to fill a different kind of need.
“They need exactly the same thing we do – hope,” he said.
On November 8, in a meeting of the Partners in Hope, government officials, non-profit groups, and faith leaders are coming together to discuss homelessness, identify needs, and make connections that will help define the community’s future.
CHURCH CELEBRATES 225 YEARS SATURDAY
The public is invited to come and celebrate 225 Years of the First Baptist Church of Saratoga, at 45 Washington Street, on Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Enjoy warm coffee and cider donuts as the kids decorate pumpkins. Order homemade pies, see original historical documents, and listen as Guy Savio from “All in Glass Studios, Too” (who will be on hand until 2 p.m.) discusses the Church’s stained glass restoration project.
For more information, go to www.fbcsaratoga.org
