Sometime during the year 1889 a small group of dedicated people in Matawan led by the Rev. S.L. Gibson decided to start a Baptist mission among themselves. This original group included Deacons John Herendon, Edward Harris, and Charles H. Beal; Trustees Charles Schanck, Charles Ledlow and Toliver Lindsay.

The name “Berean Baptist Church” was adopted on April 9, 1890, and a room for worship was secured in Bissel Hall, Main and Spring Streets. On November 12, 1890, 120 years ago, the church was officially organized.

As their numbers continued to grow, a committee was formed to locate a permanent place of worship. A house on Jackson Street near Fountain Avenue was located and purchased for $1,200.00. Undertaking their first mortgage with the Matawan Bank, the note and the first $200.00 payment was signed by Charles Schanck and Rev. S.L. Gibson. In April 1891, a lot was purchased on Orchard Street.

In 1893 a pulpit call was extended to Rev. J.W. Jeffreys, who discovered the church had never been dedicated. In 1894 the dedication was held, and the name was changed to “Second Baptist Church of Matawan, N.J This place of worship was remodeled, with the local Presbyterian church donating pews.

Two of the first ordained deacons were Horace Gaskins and Reuben Simmons. Others were Richard Lyons, Major Wicker, S.J. Harrison, and J.B. Anderson. Most of these men served as both deacons and trustees. This building was in use until 1908 when a fire destroyed it, while under the administration of Rev. A.C. Davis. In 1909 space was secured in Ligature Hall, Known as the Interborough Schoolhouse at the lower end of Broad Street.

In 1911 a decision was made to build a church. In 1912, R.H. Lyons, Edward Madison, and Reuben Simmons were members of the building committee established to meet this goal. As a result, the cornerstone for the new church on Orchard Street was laid on June 22, 1913. An early baptism noted in church records was Margaret Peace, November 1915. Lucy Riley was named “Church Mother” on March 16, 1917. In 1920 decisions were made to purchase property on either side of the church.

In February 1925, the pastor, Rev. M.D. Skinner, was paid a salary of $800.00 a year and use of the parsonage. During these early years, the Seacoast Association was formed in Second Baptist Church under Rev. P.T. Morris. Mrs. Martha Wicker was the first president of Home Mission.

Early ministers were Revs. Butler, Brown, Matthews, Moore, and Martin.

In July 1933 Rev. William J. Hutcheson accepted the pastorate of Second Baptist Church and stayed for Il years until June 1944 when he resigned to pastor a church in San Diego, CA. In the Fall of 1949, he returned to Second Baptist and stayed Il more years. During his tenure, the church building was completely renovated, nearly doubling in size, and the parsonage mortgage was paid off. Upon his retirement he was named “Pastor Emeritus.”

Trustees under Rev. Hutcheson included Clarence Towler, Mumford Morris, Harold Anthony, John Knox, Luther Anderson, Joseph Anderson, Alexander Kiah, Roy Mancle, Walter Hill, Arthur Coleman, Charles Herring, and many others. An earlier Associate minister was Rev. Scuddie McGee, father of Deacon Ralph McGee and Mrs. Loretta Phillips.

During the administration of Rev. James H. Howell, the church mortgage was paid off. Under the leadership of Rev. Howe B. Perry, the Ecumenical Council worshipped at Second Baptist Church.

Rev. Joseph E. Butts was installed on February 13, 1972. Due to illness, he retired in December 1999. His 27 years in the pulpit is the longest at this church. Under his leadership a new parsonage (1991) and a parking lot (1995) were built. In 1989 a Steeple was added to the church building as a tribute to Deacon Roy Mancle by his widow, Mrs. Mildred Mancle. One minister was ordained: Adam Edmond, and six ministers were licensed to preach: William Green. Edmond Hamilton, Joseph Lester, Hosie Scott, Jeffrey Gray, and Leatha Williams who is the first woman to be licensed by Second Baptist Church. Edmond Hamilton was made associate pastor in 1989 and Joseph Lester in1991. Deacons added were Cornelius McDaniel, David Towler, Ralph McGee, Orange Cauthen, Billie Hudson, Jr., Hosie Scott, Matthew Johnson, Marvin Daniels, King P. Phillips, and Hubert Wharton.

Rev. Anthony Hodges served from 2002-2007. He ordained two deacons: David Phillips and John Cook, and minister Jeffrey V. Gray who is the great-grandson of the late Rev. William J. Hutcheson.

Lewis A. Williams, Sr. was ordained Deacon on July 17, 2008.

In September 2009, Rev. Moore began ministering at Second Baptist Church in Matawan where he was asked to serve as Interim Pastor. On April 2, 2011, he was installed as Pastor. Since then, Rev. Moore has focused on helping the congregation to grow in love, unity, prayer and studying God’s Word. Rev Stephen Moore serve as pastor until his retirement in July 2019. Second Baptist found themselves without a Pastor upon the retirement of Pastor Moore. During that time, the church continued to operate keep God first. After much prayer, the Lord sent Rev. Dr. Michael Alan Lester, Sr. to Second Baptist After a unanimous vote by both the Pulpit search committee and the church body on February 28, 2021, Rev Lester became Pastor-Elect of Second Baptist. On August 14, 2021, he was installed as the 11th Pastor of Second Baptist Church of Matawan.