First Baptist Church of Fernwood was originally started as the Richland Baptist Religious Society back in 1817. That likely makes it one of the oldest churches in this area. For most of the 1800s it was known as the South Richland Baptist Church. Fernwood is in the town of Richland and was known for its feed mill. Today, Fernwood is too small to have its own post office and that is why it has a Pulaski mailing address, even though Fernwood is about 5 miles south of Pulaski.

The church began in 1817 with 5 members and was started by Rev. Enoch Ferris. The church building was built in 1839 with the parsonage being built in 1849. In January of 1900, the church name became Fernwood Baptist Church and Society.

The church was originally built with two entrance doors into the auditorium with aisles extending up in line with the doors to the back end. The floor was laid on an incline, being higher in the rear. The pulpit was between the entrance doors with several steps to ascend. There were side and center pews enclosed and doors to them. They were owned by supporters of the church and each one was furnished as they liked, with cushions or carpet or a spittoon! There was a choir loft that held 25 singers.

The following notes were written by Jesse Burdick who had been a clerk at the church.

“April 14, 1918, a flag dedication service was held at which a Service Flag with one star for Harold Holmes, who was in France, was dedicated, also a 16 foot American flag was dedicated in memory of Dr. Frank E. Burdick, who died at his home in Providence, RI, 12/26/1917. The flag was the gift of Dr. Burdick’s parents and Mrs. Susan Goodspeed. Dr. Burdick expressed a desire to help purchase a flag for his old home church.

During the spring of 1929 the interior of the church was papered, ceiling painted white, woodwork varnished, upper room partition removed and room doubled in size by the addition of a gallery over the back part of the church, new stairway built and four additional electric lights having been installed in 1927 after using an acetylene outfit about two years. The windows were covered with an imitation of stained glass and a new carpet was given by Mrs. Mary E. Burdick. Entire cost of these improvements was about $600.

In recognition of the fact that the church building was built in 1839 a Centennial Celebration was held August 6, 7 1939. Sunday speaker was Rev. W. S. Terri, Director of Evangelism of the NY State Baptist Missionary Convention. A picnic dinner was held at noon on the church lawn. At the afternoon service, Church Clerk Jesse Burdick read “Historical Sketch of Fernwood Baptist Church” compiled by Rev. Joseph R. Hutchins, and “Historical Sketch of the Baptist Church Building in Holmesville, NY,” now Fernwood, NY, compiled by Jesse D. Burdick.

Flag dedication service on December 24, 1944, when silk United States and Christian Flags were dedicated.

1947 – 1948 Church foundation had settled, repairs were made. Floor leveled up covered with Brown Masonite, also Oil Burner purchased and installed in southeast corner of church, also church painted. 1954 Hot water heater purchased and installed in parsonage. 1955  — New furnace for church was purchased and installed, old oil burner sold and a new one purchased for Sunday School rooms. Also Church redecorated. The railroad depot was purchased and moved over to church for our much needed Sunday School rooms. Rooms were used for first time on Children’s Day on June 12.

1957 — The new building being completed was dedicated. A dedication service was held and Rev. Richard Crowley, a former pastor, bringing both morning and evening message. Dinner was served to 120 people in the new addition.

1958 — An electric organ (Conn) was purchased for the church.

1959 –  New bathrooms were installed in Sunday School rooms during Rev. Charles Foster’s ministry.

1960 The Good Will Sunday School class purchased a new rug for the Church rostrum.

1963 — A much needed well was drilled to supply the parsonage and the church bathrooms. ”