Latest news

Summer Worship Service starts at 10:00 a.m. Sundays.

Communion is served the first Sunday of each month.

To request a tape of a service, click here .

Myanmar (formerly Burma) was hit by a devastating Tropical Cyclone last Saturday, resulting in over 20,000 deaths and displacing over 1 million people from their homes.

If you would like to help the victims of this tragedy, please see the links below of agencies currently providing relief to the area.

HBC will also be receiving gifts marked "Myanmar", and these will be given through "One Great Hour of Sharing".

The U.S. Campaign for Burma

World Vision

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The Thailand-Burma Border Consortium

Please support our Gulf Relief Mission Trip by visiting the following site.

On the first friday of every month, First Friday Hatboro, 6 pm to 9 pm, rain or shine.

Hosted by the merchants of Hatboro and The Greater Hatboro Chamber of Commerce, FFH is a celebration of "The Arts" in the Borough's business district, bringing an evening of free activities and entertainment to the community on the first Friday of every month.

For more information call 215-956-9540. www.firstfridayhatboro.com

HATBORO BAPTIST CHURCH WAS FOUNDED
SEPTEMBER 8th 1835


Why and how Hatboro Baptist was founded:


On June 10th 1835 a Woods Meeting was held under the auspices of the newly formed Central Union Association of Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania. Woods, or protracted meetings, became one of the methods of home evangelization, and upon resolution passed by the Association. The Churches were asked to spare their pastors for these meetings. In full sympathy with this spirit the churches of Pennepack and Holmesburg, mourning over the powerlessness for good of the old Southampton church, which upon the death of the venerable T.B. Montanye, had adopted Antinomian doctrines. They resolved to make an effort to breathe new life into that ancient body, or at least counteract the evil tendency of its teachings. The meeting was held in Hatboro and ran for ten days and was conducted by Revs. L. Fletcher of Great Valley; G.T. Miles, of West Chester; Morgan J. Reese, William S. Hall, of Frankford; and L.G. Beck, of Union Baptist Church. This Woods meeting resulted in the baptism of several converts in the Pennypack Mill Pond. While this meeting was in progress Mr. Joseph B. Yerkes, husband of Hannah, invited one of the presiding ministers, Bro. Fletcher, to come and preach at The Loller Academy. What disposition was to be made of the new converts brought to the Lord from this Woods meeting became a question, which found solution in a proposition by Mrs. Yerkes that a church be formed at Hatboro. A second Woods meeting was held July 31st 1835 to advance the forming of a church. Like the preceding meeting it was largely attended and others were converted and baptized.

On September 8th 1835 The Hatboro Baptist Church was constituted in the Loller Academy with twenty-two members. These founding members, six male and sixteen female, were; John Beans, Charles McNeal, Garrett Krewson, Benjamin Evans, John Ward, William Ward, Martha Beans, Frances McNeal, Phoebe Evans, Sarah Evans, Sarah Silvey, Rachel Mason, Mary Ann Edwards, Mary Whitehead, Ester Whitehead, Elizabeth Booskirk, Rachel Hoffman, Elizabeth Krewson, Alice Vansant, Ann Carrell, Elizabeth Weiser, and Mary Irwin. Articles of Faith, Church Covenant, and Rules of Order were adopted. Services in recognition of the new church were held on the same day. The sermons were given by; Revs. L. Fletcher, W.S Hall and C.E. Wilson. The Rev. Wm P. Maul, from Blockley church Philadelphia, became the first pastor serving until 1838 during which time the church membership more than doubled. On May 31st 1836 The Hatboro Baptist Church was received into membership of the Central Union Association during its 4th annual session. Hatboro Baptist Church membership at this time was 34.


THE FOUNDATION OF OUR CHURCH
IS ITS SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Hatboro Baptist Church’s Sunday school predates the founding of the church by 12 years. This Sunday school has a unique place in history, as it was from this that the two oldest churches in Hatborough were formed. What follows is a historical sketch of this Sunday school composed by Rev. George Bowman of The Hatboro Baptist Church and read on it’s 50th anniversary, November 5th 1874. The current historian has modernized it.

In 1823 the village of Hatborough, formally known as Crooked Billet, was a thriving community first settled in 1715. It was made up of farmers and tradesmen. The village boasted a library, academy of learning and public school, yet had neither Church nor Sunday school. The village’s people, who were churched, went outside the community to religious services. However, Rev. Montanye of Southampton Baptist Church and Rev. Dr. Steele of Abington Presbyterian Church held religious services twice a month in the Loller Academy each preaching alternately.

Mrs. Hannah Yerkes having recently moved to the community was not a member of any church, but she was religiously instructed and accustomed to observe the Sabbath. To her friends she commented, “I have located in a heathen land”; and this situation made her feel the desire for religious instruction in the village. In 1824, while talking with a friend, the question again came up, “Why can’t we have a Sunday school?” The suggestion was then acted on and certain families were visited. With their co-operation a movement was made to establish a Sunday school.

Prominent among the citizens who at once endorsed the movement were village doctor J.H. Hill, John Whitehead, Nathaniel Furman of Loller Academy and local politician Nathaniel Boileau. The village and neighborhood were thoroughly canvassed, every family visited. A school of 100 members soon gathered. The principal men and women of the area were enlisted as teachers and the school was opened in the Loller Academy with encouraging prospects. After a time the men became weary of religion and quit the work leaving it to the ladies to nobly carry on during the summer.

The desertion of the men was probably due to the influence of a sermon about that time, by a prominent minister in Philadelphia, in which he denounced the Sunday schools throughout the country as, “ a great organization, which is likely to corrupt society and endanger our national liberties.” The call to abstain from the use of alcohol also may have played a roll. Nonetheless, the Sunday school carried on and although closed during the winter, reopened again the second summer with encouraging results.

At the beginning of the third summer, Mr. Nathaniel Boileau took charge of the Sunday school and continued to act as superintendent from 1826 to 1835, when the Baptist Church was formed with Rev. William Maul as its pastor. It was then that Mr. Boileau, a member of the Abington Presbyterian Church, gave up control of the Sunday school to the newly formed Church.

The first teachers of the school whose names are on record are Mrs. Sprogel, Mrs. Hannah Yerkes, Mrs. Mary Thornton, Miss Mary Whitehead and Mrs. N.B. Johnson. Some of the key supporters of the early Sunday school were Pastors, Rev. William Maul, Rev. George Hand, Rev. George Bowman, Rev. I. Wynn, Rev. Owen James, Rev. T.P. Price, Rev. B. Eldridge, Rev. Hilton and Rev. F.C. Colby. Early Sunday school superintendents who served were, the Honorable Nathaniel Boileau, Mr. Robert Taylor, Mr. John Follensbee, Mr. Harrison Yerkes, Mr. Daniel Rorer, Mr. N.B. Johnson, Mr. Charles McNair and Mr. E.S. Walton. These are the most notable; but there are many more whose names are lost to time.

Results of this early labor of faith were that many who attended the Sunday school received training fitting them to be a blessing to the world. A few being Rev. William Roney, one of the first scholars who became a Baptist preacher; Dr. David Yerkes, son of the school’s founder, Hannah Yerkes, became renowned as a pastor in the American pulpit; Rev. A.J. Hay, was first a scholar then teacher of the Sunday School who later entered the ministry; Dr. Stephen Yerkes, who became a professor at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Danville Kentucky, Rev. Edward G. Taylor and his brother Rev. Malachi Taylor were sons of Robert Taylor one of the superintendents of the Sunday School and Rev. Newton C. Fetter. Many more of Hatboro Baptist Church’s Sunday School have gone on to become not only ministers but missionaries over the years.

The most striking thing about The Hatboro Baptist Church Sunday school is the teachers. Though far too many to name they have been and are dedicated Christians who love to bring God’s message to the children under their care and their fellow church members. Too much cannot be said of the prayerful and earnest manner in which they have undertaken their privilege.

The Heavenly Brew Cafe at Hatboro Baptist Church featuring Live Music!

Concerts will be on the first Friday of each month at 7 pm.

Weather permitting, all summer concert/coffeehouse events will be out on the front lawn at HBC, if not, it will be in the fellowship hall.

Coffee and refreshments will be available. Free will donations will be accepted.

All are welcome.

For info contact John or Stephanie Olsen 215.887.0919

We are ever so delighted to welcome you to our web-site. We hope that you find your few moments with us to be of interest and inspiring. Please accept our invitation to respond to us by e-mail or to visit our church home.

We invite you to visit with us anytime, to ask questions, and to participate freely in any of our worship services and fellowship activities. We would love you to join us in experiencing the joy of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

We believe that God desires for each of us to grow in His grace and develop our relationship with Him. We want to help you in that regard! If we may serve you in any way, please let us know. We are looking forward to sharing God's blessings together.


“I am so excited to be a part of Hatboro Baptist Church. As Sheryl and I begin our ministry here, it is with excitement and joy. The spiritual energy we have experienced has reignited our passion to reach this community for Jesus Christ. If you are looking for something to give your life purpose and direction, come join us as we work with God ‘To transform people into mature Christ-centered servants.’”

Pastor Doug

Pastor Stratton graduated from Eastern Baptist Seminary (Palmer School of Theology) in 1983. He has served Churches in West Virginia and Michigan before coming to Pennsylvania. He and his wife Sheryl were married in 1979 and have 2 children. Stephen graduated from Judson College and was married in December 2005. Janet will be a senior at Spring Arbor University scheduled to graduate in June 2007, she will spend the Fall of 2006 studying in Russia. Doug and Sheryl also have shared their family with 17+ international students over the years. This ministry of hospitality has impacted their lives and the lives of the students.

Church Staff

Pastor: Douglas Stratton 215-675-8400
Administrative Secretary: Janet Hughes 215-675-8400
Music Minister: Ray Bonnard
Organist/Accompanist: Kristin Ketner

Church Officers

Church Clerk: Dawn Dickson
Financial Secretary: Betty McQue
Historian: David Shannon
Moderator: Sue Ewald
Treasurer: Howard Benson

Elders

Sue Ewald
Marilyn Harris
Bob McQue
Lucia Jones
Helen Rubish
Bryon Luke
Harry Hilger

Ministry and Management Leaders

Unity(Congregational Care) Ministry: Sue Ewald
Worship Ministry: John Olson
Christian Education Ministry: Fred Ewald
Administration Management: Lin Magaha
Contracts & Liability: Dave Macfarlan
Staff Services: Fred Ewald

Welcome to Hatboro Baptist Church!

Please join us for Worship in downtown Hatboro on Sunday mornings.

Our summer Worship Service will start at 10 a.m., starting Sunday, June 15th.

Childcare will be provided for this service.

• Church Bus Ministry - If you need a ride to church (or you need to cancel if you are a regular rider), please call the church at 215-675-8400, then press 3, and leave a message. The driver of the church bus will check these messages on Sunday morning.

Thanks for visiting our site!

WELCOME TO HBC SUNDAY SCHOOL!

Take a look at the list below. Select a time and an age group. We promise we have something just for you!

Our Vision Statement:

To be a community of Spirit empowered servants Glorifying God through our loving relationship with Jesus Christ and others.


Our Mission Statement:

To transform people into mature Christ-centered servants.

To contact the church office, ministry leaders, and Sunday School teachers ...

Nurtures all who participate in worship and fellowship at Hatboro Baptist Church in their journey of faith.

TBD

TBD

Provides financial management and responsible stewardship for the church property.

2nd - 5th grade

Kids for Christ meets every Sunday morning during the 11:00 a.m. church service, immediately following Sunday School from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

We believe lost people matter to God. Therefore, they matter to us.

We believe worship glorifies God and edifies believers.

We believe in the power of individual and corporate prayer.

We believe in building healthy Christian families.

We believe relationships develop best in healthy small groups.

We believe Christ calls us as members to commit ourselves to each other.

We believe Christian maturity occurs through the application of biblically based teachings.

We believe all Christians are Spirit-gifted and will serve Jesus Christ with excellence.

HBC offers a number of Sunday School classes for adults, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. on Sundays.