Obadiah Bruen Brown

July 20, 1779 (age 72)

Newark, New Jersey , United States

Within a few months, O.B. Brown had gone to Scotch Plains, New Jersey, to study theology with the Review William Van Horn, pastor of the most prominent Baptist church in the New Jersey-New York area. Brown was invited to Washington, District of Columbia in 1807 to preach several sermons as a test of his ability. The Washington First Baptist Church voted, without a dissenting vote, to appoint him as their first pastor. The church could not financially support a pastor. So Brown obtained a clerkship in the United States Post Office and eventually held the post of Chief of the Contract Division. He became the fiscal agent representing several Congressmen in Washington during the months they returned to their home states. Brown was the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Washington for more than 40 years. Brown served as Chaplain of the House (1807–1809 and 1814–1815) and as Chaplain of the Senate (1809–1810). At the encouragement of President James Monroe, Brown was among a group of Baptist leaders who created the Columbian College, which decades later became the George Washington University. In 1822, Columbian College was formally inaugurated. The college property was in Obadiah Brown"s name on the deceased He was the president of the college trustees.

Obadiah Bruen Brown

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Background

Obadiah Bruen Brown was born in Newark, New Jersey, on July 20, 1779, the son of Mary Bruen Brown and Brown.

Career

Within a few months, O.B. Brown had gone to Scotch Plains, New Jersey, to study theology with the Review William Van Horn, pastor of the most prominent Baptist church in the New Jersey-New York area. Brown was invited to Washington, District of Columbia in 1807 to preach several sermons as a test of his ability.

The Washington First Baptist Church voted, without a dissenting vote, to appoint him as their first pastor.

The church could not financially support a pastor. So Brown obtained a clerkship in the United States Post Office and eventually held the post of Chief of the Contract Division.

He became the fiscal agent representing several Congressmen in Washington during the months they returned to their home states. Brown was the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Washington for more than 40 years.

Brown served as Chaplain of the House (1807–1809 and 1814–1815) and as Chaplain of the Senate (1809–1810).

At the encouragement of President James Monroe, Brown was among a group of Baptist leaders who created the Columbian College, which decades later became the George Washington University. In 1822, Columbian College was formally inaugurated. The college property was in Obadiah Brown"s name on the deceased

He was the president of the college trustees.

Membership

At age 24, he joined this church and soon the members of the congregation began encouraging him to enter the ministry.

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