10273 Highway 1: The Paradise Baptist House

Architecture Style: Gothic Revival

Built: 1876

This church replaced the old “South Meeting House”.  Clarence had the “North Meeting House”.  In 1810 the “Wilmot and Upper Granville Baptist Church Organization” meant  Paradise and Bridgetown, but by 1833, a new Wilmot Baptist Church included Paradise,   West Paradise, and Clarence. The South Meeting House, c.1822, was Georgian Classical, with two stories, and inside, a gallery all around. From wooden box pews, people listened as the Rev. Nathanial Vidito “hurled forth with majestic power the denunciations of the Lord” [Christian Messenger] for the first 43 years.

In 1876, under the gentler Rev. Atwood Cahoon, the spirit of Revival was in the air. Though the membership stood at only 53, it was growing.  A new church was needed, and it should be “higher” in style – a fitting symbol of our growing importance in the area. J.B. Kinney of Yarmouth was chosen as architect. The following men were named: Building Committee –  Ephraim Bauckman, Deacon William Henry Balcom, Hon. Avard Longley, William H. Bishop, Sam Saunders, Silas Lantz, Reuben D. Balcom, Robert Marshall, Harding H. Morse, Alvin Starratt;  Trustees –  James Lynam, Reuben Balcom, Aaron Morse. Most of these names are found in the stories of our homes in Paradise, and many represent the third generation of families here, firmly established and doing well. In 1904, church membership stood at 400! The women, named less often, were equally involved.

Inside, polished black walnut and ash formed the arches, finials, and carvings, with threes for the Trinity and fours for the Gospels. The ceiling, later covered with tin, was a map of the heavens. The stars, moon and planets would instil the same sense of awe as the upward-soaring Gothic windows, architecture, and steeple, all to say that God is over all and wondrous. The building was finished in 1882. Though some were wary, it was decided to discard the old tuning fork, and buy a new reed organ. And when Minetta Longley, daughter of Warren and Minetta [Morse]Longley, played the organ, people rejoiced. She led the church music for 42 years, during the ministry of eight different ministers. Minetta exemplifies the faithfulness of lay leaders in our churches, who support and uphold it through all its chapters of change and evolution. We remember them.