The First Baptist Church of Riverhead celebrates its centennial

The First Baptist Church of Riverhead celebrated its 100th anniversary Saturday afternoon with a banquet at Majestic Gardens catering hall in Rocky Point.

Church pastors and elders joined with parishioners and friends to mark the milestone anniversary with prayers, music, liturgical dance, and reflections on the history of the church and its purpose.

The First Baptist Church of Riverhead was incorporated in 1925.

The First Baptist Church of Riverhead’s Assistant Pastor and Executive Administrator Rev. Cynthia Liggon provided the following church history:

“The origins of the church began with migrant farm workers who cam to Long Island from the south to work the farms, but had no place to worship and did not or could not attend the local established place of worship. 

“Feeling the need to gather for prayer, a small group of migrant farm workers  developed the Home Prayer Mission, founded in 1916. They assembled on Sunday evenings in the home of Rev. William C. Harris, as they had to work the fields during the day. 

“The weekly prayer group grew too large for Rev. Harris’ home, so they changed their meeting place to the home Mr. Jeff Parrish.  Mr. Parrish’s home allowed them to not only gather for prayer, but to also sing God’s praises.

“The Home Prayer Mission eventually outgrew Mr. Parrish’s home.  Mr. Fletcher Booker was instrumental in obtaining milk barn, converting it into a small chapel to hold regular Sunday evening services.  The Home Prayer Mission became known as the Centerville Baptist Church with Rev. William C. Harris as the first Pastor.

“As the church grew, the church leaders decided to purchased a parcel of land on Raynor Avenue in Riverhead. Suffolk County Clerk deeded the land to the leaders representing the Centerville Baptist Church as the Centerville Colored Baptist Church.   The leaders however, chose not be recognized as a colored church and laid the first cornerstone on Raynor Avenue and established the church as the First Baptist Church of Riverhead.  

“April 27, 1927, under the leadership of Rev. Solomon H. Henderson, along with William Flippen and Nellie legally incorporated the church as The First Baptist Church of Riverhead, including the definite article “THE” in the legal incorporated name, and why not? There was no other baptist church in the town.

“This was a bold move in 1927. To choose and legally establish the church’s identity as being a place of worship for more than colored (as we were called) people. This laid the foundations for who were are today.  A church that identifies itself as place of worship that is open to all.

“In the following years, The First Baptist Church of Riverhead, grew under the leadership of several pastors, with its longest serving pastor being the Reverend Charles A. Coverdale, who has severed for forty-three years.”

The First Baptist Church of Riverhead relocated to its current home at 1018 Northville Turnpike in 1971. The church is concerned with individual and community wholeness, working to address present day issues which affect our local, national, and international communities.

Prior to the enactment of the MLK Jr. holiday, First Baptist Church established the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast, an annual event to honor the life and legacy of the late civil rights leader. The MLK event has honored unsung heroes in communities across Suffolk County.

First Baptist Church has created initiatives providing direct services, cultural and spiritual upliftment, and mission outreach to children and youth, seniors, families, and individuals. For 50 years, we have provided worship experiences and counseling services for inmates of the Suffolk County Department of Corrections. First Baptist has served at the forefront in addressing equity in community healthcare needs. Since 2021, when a COVID-19 vaccine became available, the church has served as a vaccination site for hundreds of community residents, providing COVID, influenza and booster vaccines. The church’s food pantry, Open Arms Care Center, provides three days of emergency food to over 2500 families each month.

Under Coverdale’s leadership, First Baptist Church has enlarged its original parcel of land; the church now owns 12.5 acres of prime land fully unencumbered. Early in Pastor Coverdale’s
ministry, he shared a vision to create a community benefit that would strengthen families and foster a greater sense of community among residents. From this vision, the Family Community Life Center, a community based, non-profit was born. The church is ready to create Northville Commons, a complex including housing, a 10,000-square-foot community center, and a 15,000-square-foot athletics dome.

“On this day we celebrate 100 years of existence of The First Baptist Church of Riverhead,” Linda Bullock, chairperson of the 100th anniversary committee said at Saturday’s banquet. “This is more than just a party. Today we celebrate with a purpose,” she said. “Highlight this day in your journals, mark this date on your calendar, and tell your story so that your children and future generations will know that you were here, that you lived your life with purpose and that you were affiliated with a church that purposed to serve God,” Bullock said.

“Our purpose has been to worship God and to provide service to the community. We continue to do this to continue our legacy. God’s purpose for man is often described as glorifying God, reflecting his image and fulfilling his will on earth. This is our purpose and what we continue to strive to achieve.”

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and County Legislator Catherine Stark were on hand to present the church with proclamations. First Lady of First Baptist, Shirley Coverdale, the wife of Senior Pastor Charles Coverdale, acknowledged proclamations from Assembly Member Jodi Giglio, Assembly Member Tommy John Schiavone, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Riverhead Town Supervisor Tim Hubbard.

Chairperson of the Banquet Committee Rosa Palmore, longtime director of First Baptist’s renowned choir, was mistress of ceremonies at the centennial celebration.

Editor’s note: This article has been amended since its initial publication to add information about the history and mission of The First Baptist Church of Riverhead provided by Assistant Pastor Cynthia Liggon.

RiverheadLocal photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.