In the late 1700’s, many Baptist families settled in the hill towns and valleys of eastern Rensselaer County. Seventh Day and those of the Open Communion Order, organized and met in the central location of Berlin for worship. As more believers were added to each denomination, individual churches were established in other towns.
The Baptists of Grafton organized and met together beginning in 1827. It is recorded that the Grafton Baptist Church, (deemed a regular Baptist church) filed a legal certificate of incorporation on August 11, 1841. Patroon, Stephen Van Rensselaer had a shared meeting house erected near the center of town. This was not a particular church but a church for the people and was the first church built in Grafton. Meetings were also held in various schoolhouses. Many different gifted pastors preached and shepherded including Rev. John Lewis, his son Rev. Nathan Lewis and his grandson H.J.S. Lewis who was ordained in 1850.
Times of great revival were celebrated adding great numbers to the Baptist church organization. Between 1829 and 1830 a hundred new members were added bringing the total to over 150. Under the leadership of H.J.S. Lewis it was realized that they should have their own meeting house, and in the spring of 1850, John Albertson deeded for $10, a lot he had purchased form the Patroons and the present building was erected. The Grafton Baptist Church was built and dedicated in 1852. An active member, Dr. Rufus Waite and his family built and lived in the house that is now the church parsonage.
Under the leadership of many gifted pastors, the church thrived and grew. It acquired a Meneely bell from their foundry in Troy and that bell is still in use today calling people to worship. In 1915, the beautiful stained glass windows were added in memorial of loved ones.
Under the pastorate of William O’Dell (who served at least 55 years) many improvements and updates were added to the church building. In the early 60’s the horse shed/fellowship hall was torn down and the present attached fellowship hall and Sunday school rooms were added.
There has been a long line of faithful pastors who have served the Baptists of Grafton from the late 1700’s to the present. From 1786 beginning with John Lewis and Justus Hull to William O’Dell, Jason White and presently, Dylan Pantaline, many faithful men have carried the Gospel from the Baptist pulpit to the people of the Grafton hills. A trip through the cemeteries around Grafton would yield the names of families listed in our church record books, the faithful men and women who served Jesus Christ on the “Mountain.” The pastors, deacons, elders and families who answered the call to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37) keeping the Gospel light burning at as Grafton Baptist Church for 172 years but over 200 years since the ministry of Justus Hull.
