The oldest Baptist congregation in the United States can be found in Providence, Island. It is the aptly named First Baptist Church in America. Also known as the First Baptist Meetinghouse, this church is also the oldest in the state of Rhode Island. The congregation was founded by Roger Williams in 1638 in the city of Providence, while the church itself was built in 1774 and the first ever meeting was held in May 1775.

The church is historically connected with the prestigious Brown University. The university holds commencement exercises from 1776 until the present day. Aside from the regular weekly religious services, the church also serves as venue for concerts, lectures, seminars, shows, talks by world-renowned speakers, leaders, artists, performers, academics, and statesmen.

The church was declared a National Historical Landmark on October 9, 1960.