A new sect called “Baptists” arose in England at the beginning of the 17th century led by a preacher from Gainsborough called John Smyth. These “Baptists” were Christians who had rejected the teachings of the Church of England and Catholic Church but couldn't accept orthodox Calvinism. They advocated adult baptism, as they couldn't understand how a baby can appreciate the importance of infant baptism. Due to persecution in England they were forced to emigrate to Amsterdam where there was freedom of religion and in 1609 John Smyth and fellow English Non-Conformist, Thomas Helwys, founded the first official Baptist church there. Three years later the first English Baptist church was built at Spitalsfield, London by Thomas Helwys and a small group of fellow Christians in Newgate.
In 1639 the first American Baptist church was established at Providence, Rhode Island, when Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, was baptized before proceeding to baptize eleven others. Rhode Island was a safe haven for those such as Baptists whose are persecuted for their beliefs.
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