During the ministry of the Reverend William Ritchie, a religious rift occurred among the people of Canton. This split reached such proportions that Episcopalians and Baptists within the church sought to be exempt from the ministerial tax. At last, during the years 1812 through 1814, their attempts met with success as the monies they had expended for preaching services in the First Congregational Parish were refunded.

The formation of the Baptist church took place almost immediately. Although meetings were held as early as 1806, and rumors state possibly as early as 1782, the first really organized session gathered on May 29, 1814. That gathering, which took place at the home of Ezra Tilden on the shores of Reservoir Pond, was the fruition of much labor on the part of Elder Joel Briggs.

The purpose of the meeting was for interested parties to advise on another of their needs and desires regarding the new church. Before the session was ended it was voted to call a council meeting on the 22^nd of June. The council subsequently met at the home of Samuel Blackman and the Baptist Church came into existence.

First services of the Canton Baptists were held in Spurr's Grove, destined to become part of the Canton Corner Cemetery, and later the Blue Hill Schoolhouse. Forty members had pledged themselves by the end of that first year.

Within a year plans were formulated to erect a church building. Initial plans to build in Ponkapoag on land owned by the daughter in law of Roger Sherman, were dropped in favor of the land at Canton Corner owned by Alex French.

Four years elapsed before construction began, and another two before the dedication. The sermon on that morning of January 4, 1821, was preached by the Rev. Elisha Williams. Fourteen years later a committee was appointed to purchase land in the southwest part of Canton. Settlement was eventually made with Gerry Tucker for the sum of $230.

The Rev. Baron Stow delivered the dedication sermon on June 13, 1837, two years before the bell, manufactured by the Revere Copper Company, was purchased and installed in the belfry. In another two years the parsonage was added to the original building, and the parish hall followed within a decade.

By the time the Rev. Theron Brown assumed leadership of the Baptist Church to preach the fiftieth anniversary sermon in 1864, fourteen pastors and six deacons had come and gone.