In New London, Two Churches And Three Cultures Unite To Form One Congregation

First Baptist Church of New London and First Hispanic Baptist Church of New London announce with pleasure that their Merger Celebration Service will occur on Sunday, September 29 at noon. The service will be conducted at 35 Redden Avenue in New London and will be followed by a reception. The public is welcome to attend. 

During this service the documents of merger will be signed joining together New London’s two American Baptist churches into a new entity which will be known as Church of the City, New London.  

Tracing its roots to 1804, First Baptist Church has provided generations of ministry to the physical and spiritual needs of New London and surrounding communities. In 1977, First Baptist hosted a small group which offered services in Spanish. That group grew into Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana (First Hispanic Baptist) which now counts among its membership over 300 people from multiple cultural backgrounds. 

Joining the two sister churches together will provide even greater opportunities for ministry in New London and the surrounding region. The new church will be led by Senior Pastor Daniel Martino and Executive Pastor Thomas Hogsten. They will be assisted by Pastors Aracelis Vazquez Haye, Belisca Destra, and Daryn Ortiz.  

Services in Spanish will continue to be conducted at 35 Redden Avenue, with English and Haitian Creole services being conducted downtown at 268 State Street. Plans are being made to enhance the outreach of First Hispanic Baptist’s community center and relocate and expand its services with a new downtown location.

A press release from Pastor Thomas Hogsten