- SECOND MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

HISTORY OF SECOND MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

In the year of 1887 the Freewill Baptist Church, meeting in the Bassett Settlement, under the leadership of Rev. Richard Bassett disbanded. Its members met with Rev. W. A. Stewart and members of the First Baptist Church of Kokomo. They organized the Second Missionary Baptist Church as we know it today. Services were held in the third ward school on the corner of North Lafountain and Richmond Streets.

By the end of November of that year the Second Baptist Church, known as a Missionary Church, had been constitutionally established. The First Missionary Baptist Church made contributions to foreign missions on behalf of Second Baptist.

Rev. Richard Bassett served as pastor of Second Baptist Church a short time and he was known throughout the state as an organizer of churches. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1892, being only the third black to be elected to his position.

The church moved slowly, but surely. From 1902 to 1903, Rev. Charles Taylor was the pastor. They continued worship in the school building at the corner of North Lafountain and Richmond Streets. In the year of 1904 they had no pastor, but through the prayers of Sister Amanda Christie and her co-workers, Grace Winburn, Brother Joseph Brayboy and others, they held together the Sunday School and Missionary Society.

Second Missionary Baptist has had seventeen pastors since her organization. They are: Rev. Richard Bassett, Rev. W. A. Stark, Rev. Charles Taylor, Rev. James Smith, Rev. Gaines, Rev. Murry Davidson, Rev. R. S. Johnson, Rev. Granville Mimms, Rev. Charles E. Lewis, Rev. Thomas Mills, Rev. T. H. Ward, Rev. J. S. Crittendon, Rev. Reed R. Hagans, Rev. J. W. Carr, Dr. L. F. Burton, Rev. Melvin Bellamy and presently the pastor of the church is Dr. Robert A. Lee.

During the pastorate of Rev. Murry Davidson we re-located to 415 E. Richmond Street. An excellent work was done in remodeling the building with the aid of his helpers.

Rev. Thomas was pastor during the depression years. Under his pastorate the church was able to pay off a mortgage of $468.00, paint the church and put a new roof on the building.

Under the leadership of Rev. T. H. Ward, the church was redecorated and a new furnace was installed. Additionally, a parsonage was purchased at 1210 N. Kennedy, which is now known as Apperson Way North. During Pastor Ward’s leadership, the congregation also entertained the Northeastern District Association.

Under the leadership of Rev. J. S. Crittendon a special effort was put forth to build up the general treasury and start a building fund for a new church building.

The church then called Rev. Reed. R. Haggans. Under his pastorate we were able to continue the building fund effort, and purchase the lot where the new building was to be erected. Rev. Haggans also gave up the pastorate for evangelistic work, a short time later.

In 1947, Rev. J. W. Carr was called to pastor. Under his leadership on October 3, 1948, groundbreaking ceremonies were held with Rev. Carr Wielding the shovel.

A “pay as you go” plan was put into action. After many months of work and prayer approximately two-thirds of the cost of the new building was paid. On October 11, 1953, the congregation moved in the new edifice. Dedication ceremonies were conducted by the Rev. R. C. Brown of Connersville, Indiana, assisted by Pastor Carr. Present also were three licensed ministers, former members of the congregation. They were: Rev. Noel E. Hord of Terre Haute, Indiana; Rev. Howard B. Washington of Akron, Ohio; and Rev. L. J. Jackson of Peru, Indiana. All had been ordained by Rev. Carr. An “Appreciation Day’ honoring the pastor was held shortly afterwards. The official cornerstone laying was held December 6, 1953, with Officers of the Keystone Masonic Lodge in charge. The Rev. T. W. Weathers, D.D., of Second Baptist, Richmond, Indiana, Moderator of the Northeastern District Convention, was a guest speaker.

Following a massive “penny drive’, the first organ was purchased and dedicated in January 1954. On April 10, 1960, the final payment of the mortgage was made and the church was clear of all indebtedness.

On May 14, 1961, Rev. J. W. Carr passed away suddenly. The church was without leadership for four months. During that time a young associate minister, Rev. Johny Tompkins, who resides in Kalamazoo, Michigan, took charge of the radio broadcast for WKMO for the church. In the fall of 1961, Rev. Lloyd F. Burton accepted the pastoral duties. IN 1962, we celebrated our 75th anniversary. A banquet was held with Rev. Dr. F. Benjamin Davis of New Bethel Baptist Church delivering the special address. Under Rev. Burton’s leadership extensive remodeling was initiated which included: a new entrance; basement renovation; and the establishment of the J. W. Carr Fellowship Hall. The church helped to educate young ministers from Haiti who have returned to their native land as missionaries, Rev. Christian Caeser being one of them.

Four young men entered the ministry under the leadership of Rev. Burton—Eddie Taylor, James Curtis Davis, Roosevelt Solomon Jr., and Joe A. Gillard. The church helped them financially to study at Central Baptist Theological Seminary.

After graduation, Eddie Taylor decided to reside in Louisville, Kentucky. James Curtis Davis, now deceased, was pastor of Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, Indianapolis, Indiana; and Rev. Roosevelt Solomon Jr. was pastor of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Kokomo. Rev. Joe Gillard, now deceased, was affiliated with the church at this time, and served as Minister of Evangelism and Outreach.

Following the retirement of Dr. Burton, God sent and Second called Rev. Mevin Bellamy to the pastorate. Under Rev. Bellamy’s leadership a Junior Church Department was added to the educational program. Also the church was incorporated.

Rev. Bellamy led in the completion of a building phase which completely renovated and enlarged the Fellowship Hall, renovated and enlarged the auditorium and choir area, and moved the Baptistry upstairs to a beautiful setting and placement. God called Rev. Ballmay home on April 6, 1981, after a short but spirit-led fulfilling pastorate.

Our present pastor is the Rev. Robert A. Lee, sent by God November 15, 1981. Under Pastor Lee’s leadership, the Second Baptist Family has grown in all segments of church life. Some of the ministry enhancements and program additions are: Brotherhood reorganization, Lydia Missionary Circle organized, Starlight Band organized, Music Department restructured; Baptist Training Union re-established; Mission Board established; Board of Music Ministry and Education formed. Other groups started are: Dual-time Bible Study and Noon prayer meeting; Drama Club; Boy Scout Troop; Sewing Circle; Tract Ministry; Couples and Singles Fellowship; Annual Career Day; and Koinonia Bowling league. We also now have a monthly newsletter, The Pipeline, and Evangelistic S.W.A.T is in force to reach out to the unchurched, a Shepherding Program for the churched, and a building committee established for future growth. Second Baptist, always committed to missions, has become a tithing (minimum) church to missions, with increased attendance at, and support to, our denominational fellowships. Under Pastor Lee’s tutelage, God has placed more sons in the gospel-pastoral ministry—Rev. Clarence C. Moore who served as Minister of Education, now pastoring and Rev. Newton A. Brooks, now deceased, who served as a minister of Shepherding and Membership. Ministers from the family of Second Missionary include— Rev. Noel E. Hord, Rev. Howard B. Washington, Rev. L. J. Jackson, Rev. Johnny Thompkins, Rev. Eddie Taylor, Rev. J. Curtis Davis, Rev. Herman Floyd, Rev. Roosevelt Solomon, Rev. Joe Gillard, Rev. Clarence C. Moore, Rev. H. Dwayne Jerro, Rev. Darryl Harris, Rev. Jerrery R. Sirmons, Rev. Keith L. Powell, Rev. Clarence Jackson, Rev. Peter Fenton, Rev. Brian A. Shields and Rev. Johnny R. Austin.

Pastor Lee leads Second in an aggressive and vigorous program of prayer, worship, study, missions evangelism and outreach.