The historic St. John’s Congregational Church is one of the oldest and active Black Churches in New England. St. John’s has a rich history of positive community influence by its pastors, members and ministries. In 1844 the church was known as “Free Church” and its first pastor, the Rev. Leonard Collins vigorously defended Blacks’ right to organize their own churches in a public debate against the legendary abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. The debate appeared in the printed pages of Douglass’ North Star Newspaper. Douglass eventually came to accept the importance of establishing Black churches and attended services at the “Free Church.”