After a national search over a six-year period, the First Baptist Church of Princeton installed Rev. Maureen Gerald as its new senior pastor on June 7.
A Mercer County resident and graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Rev. Gerald is only the second woman to serve in this role since the church’s founding in 1800.
“I am truly honored to serve as the new Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Princeton. With the tremendous support of the church leadership, our new chapter will be shaped by intention and commitment to inspiring preaching and teaching, inclusivity, intergenerational engagement, and outreach and collaboration within our faith community,” Gerald said in a media release.
First Baptist Church of Princeton has a rich history dating back to its origins as the Bright Hope Baptist Church in 1880. In 1930, the congregation’s name was changed from Bright Hope Baptist Church to First Baptist Church of Princeton. The church’s mission statement is: “We are the church with open doors, where hearts are healed, souls are saved, and God is praised!”
In addition to her former pastoral duties in prominent New Jersey churches, Gerald has experience as a licensed mental health counselor, coach and consultant. “I am a lifelong faith builder within the Christian community. As a mental health professional, I will continue to blend theological insight with an advocacy for mental health, social justice, and spiritual growth in my role as senior pastor,” she said.
