Church History

HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE’S BAPTIST CHURCH

The People’s Baptist Church was organized in the autumn of 1917 in the home of Reverend Marcellus Thomas Jeffries who became the first Pastor. Deacon George Jennings suggested the name “The People’s Baptist Church” and it was accepted. The young Church was recognized in March 1918. The late Reverend C. W. Gregory, Pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, took an interest in the group and moderated many of the early meetings.

Among the first officers of the Church were Sister Sarah Jennings, Mother of the Church, President of the Senior Choir, and President of the Missionary Society; Deacon Charles Owens, Chairman of the Board of Deacons; Brother Sutton, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Brother Benjamin Franklin Wilson, Superintendent of the Sunday School; Sister Cora Douglas, President of the Willing Workers Club and President of the Pastor’s Aid Club; and Sister Mary Jennings, Organist.

Ethel Price was the first baby born into the Church. Rosalee Golden was the first child baptized in the Church. Mary Jennings was baptized on the same day. All of the above mentioned “firsts” have gone to be with the Lord. The first Sunday School Picnic was held on July 15, 1920 in Strawberry Mansion Park.

The Church’s first regular meeting place was on the second floor of 8201 Eastwick A venue. They purchased the lots at 8208-12 Eastwick A venue and moved into a house at 8212 after renovating it. While worshipping there they built an edifice at 8208-10 Eastwick which they moved into in 1941. They remained there until June 1965 when they moved into their present Church home at 5039 Baltimore A venue.

Over the years other auxiliaries have been added – The Flower Club (later combined with the Hospitality , Hospitality Club, Holy Light Gospel Chorus, Ushers Board, the United Choir which is a growth of our Young Adult Choir and a youth choir, the Williams Youth Voices and Male Chorus, which are seeking pianists now to enable them to sing. Other ministries that have been added over the years are a Food, Lost Coin, Audio, Senior Citizen, Van Ministries, and a newsletter called “The Lamplighter.” For years we have held a Vacation Bible School. A Parent Teachers Association is in place. Our Board of Christian Education is active with our Youth Development program operating well. We have a Share Food Program and. well as an Emergency Food Program, had an After- School Tutoring Program, and Our Pastor and Associates teach our New Members Class, and Bible studies.

In addition to Reverend Jeffries, previous Pastors have been Reverend Johnson, Reverend A. B. Jordan, Reverend Tate, Reverend R. H. Butcher, Reverend M. L. Henry, Reverend C. L. Smallwood, Reverend A. J. Arthur, and Reverend Matthew M. Williams, who was with us 45 years until his retirement on January, 3, 2010. Rev. Williams then served as Pastor Emeritus until his death on September 24, 2011.

Rev. Eric Jadolyn Goode was called to be Pastor of this Church on March 22, 2014 from the New Hope Temple Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA under the Pastorate of Rev. John Coger. Rev. Goode Service of Installation was held on Sunday, May 25, 2014. He has moved to continue the 45-years of great work begun by former Pastor Matthew M. Williams. Rev. Goode wishes to remain cognizant of his memory He also continues to recognize Mrs. Genevieve Williams as First-Lady Emeritus of The People’s Baptist Church

We are currently members of the Pennsylvania Eastern Keystone Baptist Association (PEKBA); the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention (PBSC); the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC); and the Philadelphia Baptist Association (PBA).

For all things, we give God the Glory.

 

 

Comments are closed.