Our History
In 1922, with determination and explicit faith in God, a small group of believers met in the home of Mrs. Martha Davis in Mount Pleasant to organize a Baptist church in the community. Attending the first historic meeting were Robert Harris, Mrs. Margaret Thompson, Mrs. Rosie Washington, Mrs. Alice Robinson, Mrs. Celia Parsons, Joseph Robinson, and Mrs. Martha Davis.
This group, members of Second Baptist Church, Wayne, under the pastorship of Rev. Washington, continued as a Sunday School until October 1, 1923 when a business meeting was held to consider a site for a church building. Attending and voting at this meeting were Robert Harris, Mrs. Margaret Thompson, Mrs. Rosie Washington, Mrs. Alice Robinson, Mrs. Celia Parsons, Mrs. Martha Miller, Mrs. Mary Robinson, and James Corbin, formally of Union Shiloh Baptist Church, Middlesex County, Virginia who donated a record ledger for the group. It was voted at this meeting to purchase a building lot on Henry Avenue in Mount Pleasant.
After learning that the Henry Avenue site could not be obtained, the group attempted to purchase two lots on Upper Gulph Road. These lots were owned by A. Drexel Paul, who informed them that he would not sell to Colored people.
This fact did not dim the faith and spirit of this small group of Christians. They contacted Phillip and Louis Harrison, two Jewish merchants of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. These two men purchased the lots from Mr. Paul and then sold them to this church group for $3,000.
On July 24, 1924, with renewed hope and vigor, this pioneer band was organized as the First Baptist Church of Mount Pleasant in a council presided over by Rev. D. J. Howard, Pastor of St. Paul's Baptist Church, West Chester, Pennsylvania. Rev. Boston Parsons was the first pastor of First Baptist Church. Robert Harris, James Harris, and Joseph Robinson were ordained as Deacons. Homer McLean and Claire Nelson Robinson were elected as Trustees. Deacon Robert Harris was elected as the first superintendent of the Sunday School and Deacon Joseph Robinson was elected as assistant superintendent. Mrs. Celia Robinson was the first pianist.
In late autumn of 1924, construction was started on a building that would be used as a place of worship for this comparatively new congregation. Trustee Homer McLean was elected chairman of the Building Committee. He, along with Deacon James Harris, Deacon Joseph Robinson, Olther Harris, Clater Robinson, and others, constructed the first building on the newly purchased lot on Upper Gulph Road. In the spring of 1925, a pastor's study and kitchen was added. Facilities for water and gas were installed. After Rev. Parsons was called from labor to his Heavenly reward, Rev. Edward Smith was called as pastor and he continued to lead the congregation effectively.
Entering into the 1930's, the congregation began to solidify as a strong influence in the small community of Mount Pleasant. The church had a growing Sunday School. The third pastor called was Rev. Persette who continued to work well in peace and harmony with the Church until he resigned and was replaced by Rev. Alfred Watkins.
Rev. Watkins, realizing the Scriptural concept that "without vision the people perish", started a building fund in preparation for a larger building on the adjacent lot. More room was needed to accommodate the growing congregation. Plans were drawn up for the new church building and the congregation began to work diligently to raise funds to secure the same. A substantial amount of money was raised.
After Rev. Watkins resigned to accept another charge, Rev. W.E. Cook served as interim pastor until Rev. Baker, a hard-working, dedicated preacher, teacher, leader and organizer, was called to First Baptist Church. He immediately assumed the task of acquiring the new building. George Dillinger, architect from Yeadon, Pennsylvania, drew a new set of plans which were readily accepted by the church, and construction was immediately started. Deacon Homer McLean, who had again been elected chairman of the Building Committee, did a vast amount of the actual construction.
Rev. Baker was called home to his final reward before completion of the building, and Rev. Thornton served until Rev. Earl Lee was called to assume leadership.
Work continued on the building and in 1954, Rev. Lee led the procession from the original building to the lower auditorium of the new one. The congregation continued to grow which resulted in more church activities such as additional choirs and usher boards as well as a larger Sunday School. After Rev. Lee resigned, Rev. Wilson and Rev. Myles Oliver served briefly as interim pastors.
In April 1957, Rev. Dr. James A. Ewell was called to assume leadership of the church. Along with enlarging the congregation and church activities, work continued on completion of the building. The cornerstone was laid in May 1959. The congregation moved from the lower to the upper auditorium. A new heating system and new lighting were installed. A new piano was purchased. In 1962, the church was stuccoed, a new kitchen, vestibule, and steps were added. The lower auditorium was completed. In 1965 the upper auditorium was remodeled--the pulpit and choir stand rebuilt; floors refinished; painting; new pews and pulpit furniture purchased; carpeting installed; a baptismal pool purchased. The first baptismal service was held in the First Baptist Church in October 1965. In April 1969, a Hammond organ was purchased to further enhance the worship services.
Rev. Ewell retired from the pastorship in early 1975 and remained Pastor Emeritus until his death in 1984. Rev. Robert L. Williams was called to assume leadership in October 1975. The following were added to further enhance the worship service: baptismal pool heater, microphone system installed, a twin water cooler installed, air conditioning, and the Men's Chorus formed.
THE REV. DR. JAMES W. MYLES, III was called to assume leadership in May 1979. Pastor Myles orchestrated many physical and spiritual improvements to the church. To further enhance the building, the basement was waterproofed, our kitchen remodeled, and a fence was installed. Weekly Bible Study lessons and Prayer and Praise Hours were instituted. Ministry with Children and a Prayer and Praise service were added to the morning worship service. All Night Prayer vigils were also instituted. He has taught us the power of the Holy Spirit through fasting and praying. Through Pastor Myles' leadership, the ministry of the Church has gone outside of the four walls and into the neighboring communities with Outreach Ministries of evangelizing, feeding the homeless and clothing drives. With the assistance of Wayne Presbyterian Church, in 2000, the adjacent lot was purchased from the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company for the purpose of building a new worship facility. In the year 2005, the church’s name was officially changed to the First Baptist Church of Wayne to avoid confusion with the city Mount Pleasant located in the western part of Pennsylvania.
After almost 4 years of being without a pastor, on January 27th of 2013, the First Baptist Church of Wayne voted unanimously to elect as its new pastor the Rev. Rashad D.Grove. Along with his lovely wife Brandi and their daughter Camille, he officially assumed his pastoral duties on March 3rd 2013. Under the leadership of Rev. Grove, the First Baptist Church of Wayne is becoming a church of “Great Expectations” experiencing the greatness and power of God through Jesus Christ. The best is yet to come!
This group, members of Second Baptist Church, Wayne, under the pastorship of Rev. Washington, continued as a Sunday School until October 1, 1923 when a business meeting was held to consider a site for a church building. Attending and voting at this meeting were Robert Harris, Mrs. Margaret Thompson, Mrs. Rosie Washington, Mrs. Alice Robinson, Mrs. Celia Parsons, Mrs. Martha Miller, Mrs. Mary Robinson, and James Corbin, formally of Union Shiloh Baptist Church, Middlesex County, Virginia who donated a record ledger for the group. It was voted at this meeting to purchase a building lot on Henry Avenue in Mount Pleasant.
After learning that the Henry Avenue site could not be obtained, the group attempted to purchase two lots on Upper Gulph Road. These lots were owned by A. Drexel Paul, who informed them that he would not sell to Colored people.
This fact did not dim the faith and spirit of this small group of Christians. They contacted Phillip and Louis Harrison, two Jewish merchants of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. These two men purchased the lots from Mr. Paul and then sold them to this church group for $3,000.
On July 24, 1924, with renewed hope and vigor, this pioneer band was organized as the First Baptist Church of Mount Pleasant in a council presided over by Rev. D. J. Howard, Pastor of St. Paul's Baptist Church, West Chester, Pennsylvania. Rev. Boston Parsons was the first pastor of First Baptist Church. Robert Harris, James Harris, and Joseph Robinson were ordained as Deacons. Homer McLean and Claire Nelson Robinson were elected as Trustees. Deacon Robert Harris was elected as the first superintendent of the Sunday School and Deacon Joseph Robinson was elected as assistant superintendent. Mrs. Celia Robinson was the first pianist.
In late autumn of 1924, construction was started on a building that would be used as a place of worship for this comparatively new congregation. Trustee Homer McLean was elected chairman of the Building Committee. He, along with Deacon James Harris, Deacon Joseph Robinson, Olther Harris, Clater Robinson, and others, constructed the first building on the newly purchased lot on Upper Gulph Road. In the spring of 1925, a pastor's study and kitchen was added. Facilities for water and gas were installed. After Rev. Parsons was called from labor to his Heavenly reward, Rev. Edward Smith was called as pastor and he continued to lead the congregation effectively.
Entering into the 1930's, the congregation began to solidify as a strong influence in the small community of Mount Pleasant. The church had a growing Sunday School. The third pastor called was Rev. Persette who continued to work well in peace and harmony with the Church until he resigned and was replaced by Rev. Alfred Watkins.
Rev. Watkins, realizing the Scriptural concept that "without vision the people perish", started a building fund in preparation for a larger building on the adjacent lot. More room was needed to accommodate the growing congregation. Plans were drawn up for the new church building and the congregation began to work diligently to raise funds to secure the same. A substantial amount of money was raised.
After Rev. Watkins resigned to accept another charge, Rev. W.E. Cook served as interim pastor until Rev. Baker, a hard-working, dedicated preacher, teacher, leader and organizer, was called to First Baptist Church. He immediately assumed the task of acquiring the new building. George Dillinger, architect from Yeadon, Pennsylvania, drew a new set of plans which were readily accepted by the church, and construction was immediately started. Deacon Homer McLean, who had again been elected chairman of the Building Committee, did a vast amount of the actual construction.
Rev. Baker was called home to his final reward before completion of the building, and Rev. Thornton served until Rev. Earl Lee was called to assume leadership.
Work continued on the building and in 1954, Rev. Lee led the procession from the original building to the lower auditorium of the new one. The congregation continued to grow which resulted in more church activities such as additional choirs and usher boards as well as a larger Sunday School. After Rev. Lee resigned, Rev. Wilson and Rev. Myles Oliver served briefly as interim pastors.
In April 1957, Rev. Dr. James A. Ewell was called to assume leadership of the church. Along with enlarging the congregation and church activities, work continued on completion of the building. The cornerstone was laid in May 1959. The congregation moved from the lower to the upper auditorium. A new heating system and new lighting were installed. A new piano was purchased. In 1962, the church was stuccoed, a new kitchen, vestibule, and steps were added. The lower auditorium was completed. In 1965 the upper auditorium was remodeled--the pulpit and choir stand rebuilt; floors refinished; painting; new pews and pulpit furniture purchased; carpeting installed; a baptismal pool purchased. The first baptismal service was held in the First Baptist Church in October 1965. In April 1969, a Hammond organ was purchased to further enhance the worship services.
Rev. Ewell retired from the pastorship in early 1975 and remained Pastor Emeritus until his death in 1984. Rev. Robert L. Williams was called to assume leadership in October 1975. The following were added to further enhance the worship service: baptismal pool heater, microphone system installed, a twin water cooler installed, air conditioning, and the Men's Chorus formed.
THE REV. DR. JAMES W. MYLES, III was called to assume leadership in May 1979. Pastor Myles orchestrated many physical and spiritual improvements to the church. To further enhance the building, the basement was waterproofed, our kitchen remodeled, and a fence was installed. Weekly Bible Study lessons and Prayer and Praise Hours were instituted. Ministry with Children and a Prayer and Praise service were added to the morning worship service. All Night Prayer vigils were also instituted. He has taught us the power of the Holy Spirit through fasting and praying. Through Pastor Myles' leadership, the ministry of the Church has gone outside of the four walls and into the neighboring communities with Outreach Ministries of evangelizing, feeding the homeless and clothing drives. With the assistance of Wayne Presbyterian Church, in 2000, the adjacent lot was purchased from the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company for the purpose of building a new worship facility. In the year 2005, the church’s name was officially changed to the First Baptist Church of Wayne to avoid confusion with the city Mount Pleasant located in the western part of Pennsylvania.
After almost 4 years of being without a pastor, on January 27th of 2013, the First Baptist Church of Wayne voted unanimously to elect as its new pastor the Rev. Rashad D.Grove. Along with his lovely wife Brandi and their daughter Camille, he officially assumed his pastoral duties on March 3rd 2013. Under the leadership of Rev. Grove, the First Baptist Church of Wayne is becoming a church of “Great Expectations” experiencing the greatness and power of God through Jesus Christ. The best is yet to come!
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PASTOR'S SERVING
Reverend Edward J. Smith January 1929 – 1934 Reverend Alfred Watkins January 1939 - April 1947 Reverend Earl Lee July 1951 - February 1955 Reverend Robert Williams October 1975 – December 1978 Reverend Boston Parsons 1923 - December 1928 Reverend E. M. Persette 1934 - November 1935 Reverend W. Baker January 1949 - February 1951 Reverend Dr. James A. Ewell April 1957 - May 1975 Pastor Emeritus until 1984 Reverend Dr. James W. Myles, III May 1979 – February 2009 Reverend Rashad D. Grove March, 2013 -- Present |
INTERIM PASTOR'S
Rev. W. E. Cook Rev. Frederick Thornton Rev. Wilson Rev. Myles E. Oliver Associate Ministers Rev. Albert Watkins Rev. Myles E. Oliver Rev. Robert Williams Rev. Bernard Gray Rev. Cokelia Oliver-Dunn Transitional Minister Rev. Dr. Marsha Brown-Woodard |