Fundamental Baptist Church has been a testimony for Jesus Christ in Saint John since 1962. The church was formally organized in October of that year and a covenant was signed by thirteen charter members. The Lord was fulfilling the dream of many independent Baptists in the Canadian Maritime provinces for the establishment of an independent Baptist church in the Loyalist City.
After having met initially in the homes of interested people, the church began its existence in the former Cerebral Palsy School building on Manawagonish Road in what was then the City of Lancaster. This small building housed the growing congregation until 1969, when the church purchased and occupied the former St. Columba Presbyterian Church building at the corner of Morris and McKeil streets in Saint John West.
In 1974, the church began a search for suitable property on which to erect a new building, and in 1975 the property on the corner of Bleury Street and Danells Drive was purchased. A new building was erected on the site, and the first service was held in the new 225 seat auditorium on December 19, 1976.
By the late 90’s, the church realized that it was again time to consider another building project, as the building built in the 70’s was no longer suitable for the size of the congregation. The church voted to purchase excess government land that was tendered for sale on Sand Cove Road and although the purchase was made in the mid 1990’s, work did not begin on a new facility until the fall of 2009, after years of planning and preparation.
Finally, in November of 2010, the church relocated to its new premises on 1170 Sand Cove Road. The new facility is all on one level and provides excellent access for all who attend. Its bright, spacious interior is a welcome change from the cramped quarters on the corner of Bleury Street and Danells Dr.
God has greatly blessed Fundamental Baptist with strong and faithful
pastoral leadership throughout its formative and growing years.
• Rev. Victor Burrill ministered to the initial assembly and guided the church in its organizational phase.
• Rev. Douglass Fraser provided the church from its time of organization in 1962 until 1980 with a solid foundation of biblical preaching and teaching.
• Rev. Hugh McCollum pastored the church during 1980 and 1981.
• Rev. Paul Fosmark in 1982 accepted a call to the pulpit and provided a strong ministry until 1997. During this time, Windcrest Bible Camp was purchased and established as a centre for children’s summer camp ministry and a year around conference facility.
• Pastor John Lownes served as the first Youth Pastor of FBC, before resigning to take a pastorate in Ontario.
• Pastor Dave Coats followed Pastor Lowne’s after returning home from the mission field of Haiti. Pastor Dave resigned and left to minister at Northland Baptist Bible College.
• Rev. Dwight Turbett, who became assistant pastor after Pastor Coats, accepted a call as Senior Pastor in 1998 (after Pastor Fosmark’s resignation) and continued the tradition of a strong and biblical pulpit ministry until 2000.
• Youth Pastor Dennis Tapp provided pastoral leadership in the interim Pastoral Search period.
• Rev. Herb Hunter became the Senior Pastor in 2001 and helped oversee the new building program in addition to renewing the vision of the church. Pastor Hunter resigned in 2015 to pursue God’s leading to the mission field of South Africa.
• Rev. Andrew Henderson joined the pastoral staff as Youth Pastor.
• Rev. John Banks joined the pastoral staff as Music and Outreach Pastor.
• Rev. Bart Gragtmans joined the pastoral team in 2016 as a part time Pastor of Discipleship.
• Rev. Keith Boss became the Senior Pastor in 2016.
• Youth Pastor Ben Roy joined the pastoral staff as Pastor of Children and Youth Ministries in 2025.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever.” II Peter 3:18