Upcoming Events

July 16
The annual Strawberry Festival, put on by the Women’s Fellowship, will be held in the church vestry at noon on Saturday, July 16.
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August 13
A Blueberry Festival, also put on by the Women’s Fellowship, will be held in the church vestry at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 13.
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September 11
The Fall schedule will be underway with Sunday morning worship services returning to the 10:30 AM time, and adult Sunday School beginning at 9:00 AM.

September 20
Rev. Dr. Dee Johnson Swilling will be offering an Old Testament Survey Course
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TODAY & EVERY DAY
Simply good Deeds.
An opportunity to do good deeds and expect nothing in return.
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Summer Schedule

Sunday
Choir Rehearsal - 9:00 AM
Morning Worship - 9:30 AM
Sunday School for Children - 9:30 AM during church

Tuesday
Bible Study - 10:00 AM Info

Wednesday
Evening Prayer - 6:00 PM

Thursday
Choir Rehearsal - 6:30 PM (every other Thursday)

(The above activities at First Baptist Church, Exeter are open to members and friends of the greater Exeter community; and all are welcome to attend)

Office Hours
Tuesday & Wednesday
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Bible Study
Tuesday - 10:00 AM

Prayer Meeting
Wednesday - 6:00 PM

Kids Corner Shop
Wednesday & Saturday
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

About Our Pastor

Exeter First Baptist Church welcomes you to join us on Sunday mornings and meet Rev. Dr. Deanna J. Swilling

History of FBC Exeter


Church Property

During the more than 200 years of proud history, there have been several houses of worship to serve members and friends of Exeter First Baptist. The church was formed in the year 1800 in a home with a dozen members. Following this, there was a small church building located on lower Water Street. Then, as the membership grew, a larger building was built on Water Street which is now the site of a historical site in downtown Exeter. In 1871, plans were underway to purchase the present lot on the corner of Spring and Front Streets, and our present brick church building facing Front Street was completed in 1876 and dedicated in June of that year. Read More

The attractive church sanctuary with a traditional rear balcony seats now about 500 people without using the balcony. A church library is located on the sanctuary level which can be used for meetings and adult Sunday School in addition to maintaining and referencing Christian reading materials. Years ago, this used to be the Pastor’s Office. Now the Pastor’s Office is located on the lower level next to the Church Secretary’s Office. There is a convenient access to these offices from Spring Street.

The versatile church vestry is located on the lower level and can also be accessed from Spring Street. The vestry area seats a large number for dinner and program activities, is maintained in excellent condition, and is adjacent to a full service, well equipped kitchen. The church vestry can and has been used for Sunday morning worship when it might be either too hot in the summer or too cool in the winter for comfortable worship in the large sanctuary. For Church School Sunday School classes, there are four available rooms located on the lower level with a small room available for the nursery as well. Also, the church vestry itself or sections of it can be used for church school or opening sessions of the church school. The upstairs church Library has been used for the adult class in recent years.

Ministers in the History of First Baptist Church, Exeter


Twenty-seven ministers have been called to serve to Exeter First Baptist Church since the year 1818 when its first pastor, the Reverend Ferdinand Ellis was called. Following are those ministers who have served:

1800-1818 - Laity
1818-1828 - Rev. Ferdinand Ellis
1828-1832 - Rev. John Newton Brown
1833-1834 - Rev. John Cannon
1834-1837 - Rev. J.G. Naylor
1837-1838 - Rev. Noah Hopper
1840-1845 - Rev. T.H. Archibald
1848-1850 - Rev. E.J. Harris
1851-1853 - Rev. James French
1854-1856 - Dr. Franklin Merriam
1856-1861 - Rev. James J. Peck
1861-1871 - Rev. Noah Hopper
1871-1894 - Rev. John N. Chase
1895-1914 - Rev. Ansley E. Woodsum
1914-1917 - Rev. Herbert F. Cawthorne
1918-1920 - Rev. S Walter Schurman
1921-1934 - Rev. John. L Clark
1935-1945 - Rev. Howard P. Weatherbee
1946-1953 - Rev. Edwin H. Shuman
1954-1954 - Rev. William Norman
1955-1960 - Rev. Donald B. Morris
1960-1969 - Rev. Harry G. Ford
1970-1975 - Rev. Everett R. Scruton
1975-1985 - Rev. Jerry Miller
1986-1996 - Rev. Walter T. Steenson
1997-1998 - Rev. Richard Hyman
1999-2008 - Rev. Jamie S. Moynihan
2008-Present - Rev. Dr. Deanna J. Swilling

We are further grateful for interim and supply ministers and ABCVNH region Executive Ministers who have faithfully served our church in recent decades including Rev. Edward Cuthbert, Rev. Dr. Robert W. Williams, and Rev. Dr. Louis A. George.
Copyright © 2012 First Baptist Church of Exeter, New Hampshire

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