Our History
The History of Bradford Baptist Church
In 1823, about 20 years after the first settler came to the area that is now Bradford, a young man from Kennebec County named Rev. Leonard Hathaway traveled to Bradford to hold meetings. Records indicate that "the Lord poured out His Spirit, and many were converted." With these new Christians, a Baptist Church was organized with ten members on October 29, 1827.
These men and women were united in love, fellowship, and doctrine. The church grew, and a man they called Elder Bradford came to help lead the church until his death in 1829. According to church records, the town of Bradford was named after him when it was incorporated two yeas later. By 1846, the members desired to build a meetinghouse, which was finished and dedicated in 1848. In the early years of the church, six men were set apart to be preachers of the Gospel, and between 1861 and 1865, fifteen men went into the US Army. At this time, there was also a Baptist church in North Bradford known as the Free Will Baptist Church, The two churches would unite in 1918, to become what is now known as the Bradford United Baptist Church.
In Recent years, the Lord has sent out missionaries and preachers from our church. Souls have been saved and are following the Lord. We currently have about 80 active members, and the church has been added on to several times in recent history. The Booker family has had the privilege of providing three pastors for the Church: Arlington Booker from 1939 to 1942, Clarence Booker from 1967 to 1978, and Clarence's son Donald Booker, who is the current Pastor and has served since 1979.
There have been many changes over the years, but Praise God - He never changes (Malachi 3:6), and by His Grace, we are still preaching the Word of God and the Old Time Gospel of Salvation by grace through faith in Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.