Our History

Following the Revolutionary War, Benjamin Randall returned to his home in Newcastle, New Hampshire and began a career in sailmaking.  During this time, George Whitfield, a British evangelist, came to Portsmouth, where Randall went to hear him speak.  Somewhat less than impressed with the rhetoric of the speaker, he went home; but the power of the message continued to convict and draw him.  He determined once again to go to the services, but was met by a man who told him that Whitfield had died the night before in Newburyport, Mass.
Returning to his home, the Holy Spirit continued to impress upon him that his religion was insufficient to meet the hunger of his heart.  Finding no rest, he finally knelt and in humble faith acknowledged his sin and surrendered his life and his eternity to Jesus Christ. 
After a short time, Randall felt the irresistible call from his Lord to tell others of His amazing grace.  He began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever the opportunity was afforded him. One of these doors of opportunity was in a rural community about 40 miles north.
Randall arrived in New Durham and preached to a gathering at the home of Zechariah Boody in April, 1780.  Returning with his family to New Durham, the Church was officially organized on June 30, 1780 with seven members. After Randall died in 1808, the Church continued to proclaim God’s Word through the 19th century. Growth continued in those initial years, and the Ridge Church was constructed in 1818. The movement expanded through new planted churches, the advance of missionary efforts as far as India, and the founding of colleges and seminaries.  These ministries all looked to this first church as a base for support and encouragement.
In 1982, the New Durham Church had five members when Pastor Jim Nason arrived with his wife Pat and their four sons to begin a new ministry. The church continues to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to serve its community and the world with a commitment to obeying the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20.