Port Jefferson First Baptist Church Re-Opening Soon

Port Jefferson residents have seen an intriguing sign on East Main Street hanging from the front porch of the historical First Baptist Church. It reads, "Under new management, But same God." You might wonder what that means.

There appears to be a lot of construction going on. Sometimes a group of men will be enjoying their lunch on the front steps. On two occasions I have walked in. The first time a very tall man, who turned out to be Pastor Pete Janssen, showed me around with great enthusiasm. He will be the responsible preacher when the doors open. He explained that all those working there as carpenters, plumbers, and plasterers were volunteers from the  'home' church, formerly Northport Baptist Church, recently renamed .

"So many of our congregation live in this area," he said. "It seemed natural for us to take on this opportunity."

He eagerly showed me around, explaining that they have spent the first few months pulling down ceilings, exposing walls, installing a new furnace and air conditioning. Knowing that this church had traditionally been the base for all the volunteers of Port Jefferson's Charles Dickens Festival-serving up to 600 hot meals during the weekend-I asked rather anxiously whether they would be participating this year in early December.

"That's why we're working so hard," he assured me. "We really want to be part of this Village community and we've heard so much about Dickens.

On a later visit, camera in hand, I met Pastor Paul Sandberg who will continue to work primarily in Northport but will be an adjunct minister here to help his friend Pastor Jansson. Sandberg explained that he was in construction for 20 years before he became a pastor 20 years ago. He showed me a briefcase full of plans and drawings as well as pointing proudly to the huge job being done all around him.

"Why did you choose to take on this church, this amount of work?" I asked.

"The small remaining congregation of under ten members here in this church, with money running out, came to the Northport Baptist Church," he said. "They said, 'If we gave you the church what would you do for us?''"

It is legal apparently for Baptist churches to change hands this way.

"We prayed about it,' Sandberg said. "And told them we would do it and start by repairing the church as close as possible to its historical former glory. Being Baptists, we believe in the scriptural base of the Bible, we're in the people business. If God wants us to use this historic building to reach people, changing their lives for eternity, then we are all for that."

Asked about how they were paying for the extensive restoration being done, he said, "There's a Bible verse: 'God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, everything is His.' For us this means if God wants us to fix up the building for dynamic worship services, He has the money. He owns it all anyway."

In other words, the money would come.

To look at the extensive work being done it seems that somehow the money is coming in as needed. Walls have been stripped to the original wainscoting in the lower Fellowship Hall. The Sunday school area is being remodeled. A new furnace, and air conditioning ducts have been installed. The church balcony has been reinforced with a new railing and a staircase has been built from inside the front door down to the ground level Fellowship Hall.

"We realize that people today want a comfortable church, so we have made it warm for winter and cool for summer," said Pastor Paul. "Our Sunday school rooms will be well manned so families are assured their children will be well cared for and safe. This church will be clean, spotless and secure."

Twenty five families from the Northport Church, many of whom already live in the Port Jefferson area, have committed themselves to become the nucleus of the new congregation. Pastor Paul assures me that his pastors are trained counselors, and know how to conduct drug recovery programs. A whole team is moving to Port Jefferson from the Northport church. They will bring musical instruments and singers as well. Their choir leader is Julliard trained. At least two Bible studies a week are planned.

"We are mainly family oriented," Pastor Paul emphasized. "We are excited about this historic building and community."

He showed me his design for new front doors, which will echo the shape of the windows. The door will be oak and made by a company in Canada.

Asked when the doors would be opened to the community, he said, "We will have the church presentable for the Charles Dickens Festival on the first weekend in December. We want to continue the church tradition of being the center of hospitality for all the volunteers. I didn't say we would be finished. An old building like this will always be a work in progress. But it will look good."

They plan a Christmas "pre-opening service" and will hold services here in January and February. The Big Grand Opening is scheduled for Feb. 28. To see the amount of work they've done and the amount of money they have poured into it on faith, one can only say "thank you" with awe and gratitude.