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Church Lineage

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Heritage is important

The history of Cozaddale Baptist Temple is chronicled by Pastor Rick Sallee in his book Cozaddale Baptist Temple - A History.

Why is this study important?

At Cozaddale Baptist Temple, we believe that true, local New Testament churches trace their history in an unbroken line back to Jesus Christ. While many historical records have been lost—especially during the Dark Ages and through persecution—we hold firmly to this belief. We also believe that a church should be organized under the authority of its “mother church,” ensuring accountability and doctrinal purity from the very beginning.

Scripture reminds us often of the importance of remembering our spiritual heritage. The Bible speaks of preserving landmarks, and we take that to heart. Throughout history, faithful believers have sacrificed greatly to spread the Gospel and establish churches where none existed. We honor their legacy by studying their efforts and continuing the pattern of church planting. This rich history reflects our commitment to biblical doctrine, church authority, and the legacy of those who sacrificed to establish and preserve true New Testament churches.

This study also emphasizes the importance of church planting. In a time when many new groups claim to be churches—yet teach doctrines inconsistent with the Bible and lack connection to other true New Testament churches—we affirm that biblical church planting is part of fulfilling the Great Commission.

Below, you’ll find a summary of the book compiled by Pastor Sallee, which begins with the history of the First Baptist Church in Newport, Rhode Island.

First Baptist Church

1638/1644-Present

Although Cozaddale Baptist Temple was officially organized in 1967, we trace our heritage on American soil back to 1638, with the founding of the first Baptist church in America by Dr. John Clarke in Newport, Rhode Island. Dr. Clarke was a remarkable figure—a physician, minister, statesman, and a pioneer of religious liberty. Born in England, he came to America and authored the first constitution guaranteeing religious freedom.

While some historians credit Roger Williams with founding the first Baptist church, we respectfully disagree. Williams exhibited Baptist tendencies, but the method by which he organized his church did not follow the New Testament pattern. In contrast, Dr. Clarke and Obadiah Holmes faithfully pastored the Newport church, with Holmes serving during Clarke’s travels and continuing after Clarke’s death until his own passing in 1681.

Cold Spring Baptist Church

1684-1702

In 1684, First Baptist Church of Newport, Rhode Island, established Cold Spring Baptist Church in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This church was led by Thomas Dungan, who had emigrated from Ireland to escape Baptist persecution. Upon arriving in America, Dungan joined Dr. John Clarke’s church in Newport and was later sent out to begin the work in Cold Spring.

Dungan served as the sole pastor of Cold Spring Baptist Church. After his passing, the church dissolved, and many of its remaining members joined the Piscataway Baptist Church. However, during its brief existence, Cold Spring played a pivotal role in the founding of Pennepack Baptist Church. Pennepack would go on to be recognized as the “mother church” of Baptist congregations throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Pictured, is the believed site of Cold Spring Baptist Church. This church never met in a formal building, but on the family farm of Pastor Dungan, where there was a natural spring; hence its name.

Pennepack Baptist Church

1688-Present

In 1688, Elias Keach arrived in Pennsylvania and began preaching in Pennepack. Known at the time as something of a “wild scamp,” Keach was delivering a sermon when he became deeply convicted of his own lost condition. In a remarkable moment of honesty, he confessed to the congregation that he was not saved.

He was directed to speak with Thomas Dungan, who led him to Christ and baptized him. After his conversion, Keach returned to Pennepack and continued preaching—this time as a transformed man. As a result, many souls were saved, and a church was constituted that same year.

Pennepack Baptist Church remains active to this day, standing as one of the oldest Baptist churches in America.

Piscataway Baptist Church

1680-Present

Piscataway Baptist Church was officially organized as an independent church in 1689, having previously operated as a branch of Pennepack Baptist Church. Although direct records of Piscataway’s early years are missing until 1781, its origins and influence are documented through the histories of surrounding churches.

The absence of early records is attributed either to destruction by British soldiers during the Revolutionary War or the actions of a disgruntled church clerk—though the exact cause remains uncertain. Despite this, the church’s legacy is clear. John Drake served faithfully as pastor for 50 years, beginning at the time of its organization.

Today, Piscataway Baptist Church continues under the name Stelton Baptist Church.

Scotch Plains Baptist Church

1747-Present

In the mid-18th century, fifteen members of Piscataway Baptist Church were living in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Due to difficult land conditions and the lack of reliable transportation or communication—especially under British colonial rule—traveling to Piscataway for worship became increasingly burdensome.

Recognizing the need for a local congregation, these members requested dismissal from Piscataway to organize a new church in Scotch Plains. With permission granted, they formally established Scotch Plains Baptist Church in 1747. Benjamin Miller, a respected leader from Piscataway, became their first pastor.

First Baptist Church New York

1762-Present

In 1745, Jeremiah Dodge moved to New York and opened his home as a place of worship. A member of Fishkill Baptist Church, Dodge helped establish a mission work that grew steadily over the years. Eventually, the group became a branch of Scotch Plains Baptist Church, continuing to expand its outreach and influence.

By 1762, the mission had grown strong enough to organize as an independent church—First Baptist Church New York. John Gano, a prominent Baptist preacher and patriot, became its first pastor. During the Revolutionary War, the church building was nearly destroyed by British forces. Nevertheless, after the war, Gano returned to New York and, along with 37 remaining members, restored the church. Under his leadership, the congregation grew to over 200 members.

Columbia,
Duck Creek
Hyde Park Baptist Church

1790-Present

In 1790, a new Baptist church was formed in the Ohio Valley. This development followed land acquisitions by John Cleves Symmes and his business partners, who initially attempted to purchase one million acres from the U.S. government. Although the full deal fell through, they successfully obtained 248,000 acres from the Northwest Territory. Captain Benjamin Stites, a member of Scotch Plains Baptist Church, later purchased 10,000 acres from Symmes.

Captain Stites, along with approximately 30 others from Scotch Plains, settled the newly acquired land. In 1790, they gathered to organize a church—Columbia Baptist Church—under the leadership of Stephen Gano and with the authority of First Baptist Church in New York. The church was established in Columbia, just five miles from present-day Cincinnati.

A monument honoring the founding Baptists of Columbia stands at Pioneer Park, across from Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. A marker was placed by the Baptist History Preservation Society in partnership with our church to commemorate this historic site.

Over the years, the church relocated several times:

  • In 1808, it moved to Duck Creek and Edwards Roads.
  • Later, it relocated to Mt. Lookout.
  • Finally, in 1904, the church settled in Hyde Park and adopted the name Hyde Park Baptist Church.

Carpenter's Run Baptist Church

1797-Circa 1828

Carpenter’s Run Baptist Church was established in 1797 by several families who had branched out along the Little Miami River. These families, originally members of Columbia Baptist Church, requested letters of dismissal to form a new congregation in their growing settlement.

Though the church existed for only about three decades, until around 1828, it served as a vital spiritual home for early settlers in the region. Its formation reflects the continued expansion of Baptist churches across the Northwest Territory during the post-Revolutionary period.

Springfield,
Lockland,
Landmark Baptist

1798-Present

In 1798, two members of Carpenter’s Run Baptist Church—Henry and Mary Tucker—were dismissed to help organize a new church, Springfield Baptist Church.

As the church grew, it relocated to Lockland, Ohio, and adopted the name Lockland Baptist Church. In 1962, the church moved once again to its current location and was renamed Landmark Baptist Temple.

Blue Ash Baptist Church

1942-Unknown

Blue Ash Baptist Church was organized in 1942 by twenty members from Lockland Baptist Church, along with others who had received letters of dismission from various Baptist congregations. United by a shared commitment to biblical doctrine and church planting, these believers came together to establish a new work in Blue Ash, Ohio.

At an undetermined later date, Blue Ash Baptist Church merged with Winslow Baptist Church. This union resulted in the formation of Creek Road Baptist Church, continuing the legacy of both congregations in a new chapter of ministry.

Highpoint Baptist Church

1954-Circa 2004

Highpoint Baptist Church began as a mission work of Blue Ash Baptist Church, located at the site of what is now Crossroad Baptist Church. The mission grew steadily and was formally organized into a church in 1954, continuing the legacy of church planting in the region.

Highpoint Baptist Church served its community faithfully for several decades. While the exact date of its closure is uncertain, records indicate that the church ceased operations around 2004.

Socialville Baptist Church

1962-Present

In 1962, several members felt led to leave Highpoint Baptist Church and establish a new congregation—Socialville Baptist Church. According to church records and testimonies from charter members, this decision followed a disagreement among some members of Highpoint Baptist.

Initially, the circumstances surrounding the church’s formation did not align with the biblical pattern for organizing a true, local New Testament church. However, in a spirit of reconciliation, members of Socialville Baptist Church agreed to meet with leaders from Highpoint Baptist Church to address the division.

The meeting was well attended by both congregations and marked by an attitude of Christian friendship and unity. Both churches expressed a shared desire to promote the Lord’s work. Fellowship was restored, and Socialville Baptist Church continued its ministry with proper authority and a renewed commitment to biblical principles.

Loveland Park
Baptist Church

1964-Present

Loveland Park Baptist Church was established in 1964 as a church plant from Socialville Baptist Church. During a church meeting, the members of Socialville discussed the need for a new work in Loveland, Ohio. Brother Mitt Richardson shared that he felt led by the Lord to begin a ministry in the Loveland Park area.

With the church’s blessing, he was sent out to begin the work. Later that year, Socialville Baptist Church granted letters of dismission to the group, and Loveland Park Baptist Church was officially constituted as an organized, independent church.

Cozaddale Baptist Temple

1967-Present

Cozaddale Baptist Temple was founded on December 3, 1967, under the leadership of Charles Girvin, a faithful member of Loveland Park Baptist Church. Brother Girvin and his family were among the first to join Loveland Park, and the Lord began to burden his heart to plant a church closer to his home in Cozaddale, Ohio.

While the exact length of time the initial group met before organizing is unclear, the church officially became an autonomous work on December 3, 1967. The congregation first gathered in the basement of a store in Cozaddale. After the store closed, they moved upstairs. Eventually, Brother Bob Spencer, a member of the church, generously donated 10 acres of land just minutes from the original meeting location, allowing the church to build and expand.

Over the years, Cozaddale Baptist Temple has continued to grow. The church has since purchased the remaining acreage behind its building for further local development. The Lord has blessed us with faithful members, souls saved and baptized, and ongoing spiritual growth.

Cozaddale Baptist Temple has also been active in church planting and missions, with works started in Europe, Mexico, and the United States (Bullhead City, Arizona; Hillsboro, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; Homestead, FL; and Colorado), with plans for future churches as the Lord leads. The church is grateful for its rich spiritual heritage, tracing its roots back to the first Baptist church in America.