Welcome to Tremont Temple Baptist Church.
In 1839, Timothy Gilbert, a devout Christian, an Abolitionist, and an entrepreneur was troubled by the fact that there was not a church in Boston that provided free seats to its congregants (people had to pay for their seats in order to worship together). He was further troubled by the fact that, in Boston, churches were segregated.
One night, as he was walking on Tremont Street, he noticed that the Tremont Theatre was for sale. He prayed that God would open an opportunity that would transform this historic theatre into a place of worship. The Lord answered his prayer and on April 18, 1839 Tremont Temple Baptist Church was established and became the first integrated church in the United States.
In his memoirs, Timothy Gilbert writes the following:
My ultimate object, and without which I should not have been likely to have undertaken the enterprise, was to open in a city a centrally located house of worship, with free seats, where all, whatever might be their condition or circumstances in life, might have an opportunity to hear the gospel and enjoy the means of grace.1
Though it’s been over 168 years since Tremont Temple was established and though the challenges of the 21st century are more complex, our mission is still the same. Tremont Temple Baptist Church seeks to provide a place where people, regardless of their circumstance or position in life, might hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and the superabundant grace He provides.
As the Senior Pastor of this historic church, I am humbled and grateful to be part of God's continuing movement here.
Our goal and our invitation to you is to walk with us and experience God's grace and guidance. Please join us and walk with us as we seek to live out the Great Commission (to go and make disciples) and as we seek to preach the gospel by our words and with our lives.
Blessings to you all,
Pastor Norm Townsend
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