First Baptist Boston has a rich 360-year history, with the leadership of Samuel Stillman (1763–1807) marking a particularly transformative period. At a time when Baptists were often dismissed as uneducated, radical, and sectarian, Stillman challenged these perceptions through the power of his preaching, the sharpness of his intellect, his ecumenical relationships, and the increasing influence of First Baptist Boston within New England Baptist life. Under his leadership, the church grew from one of Boston’s smallest congregations to one of the largest and most influential Baptist churches in the region.
This paper argues that Stillman’s leadership positioned First Baptist Boston as a key force in shaping the Warren Association, advancing global missions, strengthening other Boston churches, and enhancing the broader reputation of Baptists in New England society. Through Stillman’s efforts, the church not only expanded numerically but also played a critical role in the theological and institutional development of Baptists in colonial and America’s early republic.