PARK AVENUE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

 

Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church was organized on February 9, 1921, at the St. Paul Baptist Church, with 45 members, all with letters from the Vine Street Baptist Church.  The Rev. N. T. Lane was pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church and the late Reverends J. W. Hurse, C. C. Callaway, and N. T. Lane were organizers. 

 

The late Rev. T. H. Ewing was called as its first pastor.  The first five deacons were Bro. Richard Lemons, Bro. William Shaw, Bro. Walter Peck, Bro. Elijah Tatum and Bro.

B. C. Enders (all deceased). The late Sis. Clara Peck was the first financial secretary and Sis. Emma Lemons the first church clerk (both deceased).  For several months, the members worshipped in the home of the Lemons.

 

The first church home at 19th & Highland, was purchased and the first unit of the Park Avenue Baptist Church was built under the pastorate of Rev. T.H. Ewing.  On the second Sunday in May, 1921 the first service was held in the new building.  The year of 1928, the final payment was made on the church.

 

Rev. Dr. Ewing served as pastor from 1921 to 1930.  On June 10, 1930 Dr. Ewing passed away leaving the church without a shepherd.  Rev. Dudley served as an interim pastor for one year until the Rev. J. D. Hunt, the second pastor was called.  He served Park Avenue from September 1931 until 1937.  A carpenter by trade, the Rev. Hunt improved the edifice by putting in wood floors in the auditorium, and building cabinets and restrooms. 

 

The third pastor of Park Avenue Baptist Church served for 3 years.  During his tenure pews were purchased.  The next pastors were the Reverends R. H. Dixon who served for five years until 1945, R. H. Dixon, Jr. who served for a few months and in 1946 Samuel T. McKibben served for two years.

 

On September 10 1948, the Rev. John H. Williams was called to the pastorate.  It was during his tenure that Park Avenue really began to progress.   The building at 19th & Park was dedicated on January 9, 1955 at a cost of approximately $40,000. 

Six members were called to the ministry, licensed and ordained during the Rev. Williams’ pastorate.  They were Rev. M. Stevenson, Rev. H. Miller, Rev. Phillip Ashley, Rev. B. T. Lawson, Rev. John Ashley, Rev. Albert Jordan (all deceased).  Rev. Williams retired December 1968 after more than 20 years of active service.

 

The Rev. Richard Lenued was called to the pastorate after the retirement of Pastor Williams in March, 1969.  The land for the present edifice was purchased in the later in the months of 1969.  Ground breaking was held November 1, 1970.  The membership moved into the new location the first Sunday in May 1971, with formal dedication of the church the entire month of June 1971.  The building was valued in excess of $300,000.00.  Two lots were purchased for of street parking during his pastorate.

 

After the departure of Rev. Lenued, the Rev. Dr. Carl Johnson was called to the pastorate of Park Avenue on November 19, 1975, and officially took the helm February 6, 1976.  A parsonage was purchased; open house and the pastor's installation, was held April 10 and 11, 1976.  During the Rev. Johnson’s tenure, much progress occurred and again the church grew spiritually, numerically and financially.  Through God’s grace, one son was added to the ministry, Rev. Louis Monroe.  The pews in the sanctuary were cushioned, the choir stand enlarged and carpeted, the dining area painted, the kitchen remodeled, new cabinets added, along with a new range and refrigerator.  On December 7, 1984, Rev. Carl Johnson resigned after nine years of service. 

 

Unique in the history of Park Avenue Baptist Church is that three churches have been built from the ground up and are completely debt free.  Another milestone in its history was the three fold celebration held on February 17, 1980 commencing its 59th year, the church anniversary, burning of the mortgage and the laying of the cornerstone.

 

In February 1985, the Rev. Dr. George Ervin, Jr. was appointed interim pastor.  On January 24, 1986, the Rev. Dr. Ervin was selected as shepherd of Park Avenue.  Under the leadership of Pastor Ervin, and through the grace of God, the Evangelism Outreach was reconstructed under the direction of Rev. Hubert Mitchell.  Five members were called to ministry in the persons of Rev. Herbert Mitchell, Rev. Booker T. Williams, Rev. Thomas Jefferies, Jr., Rev. Vernon Evans and Rev. Lawrence Gray.

 

The church continued to grow numerically and spiritually, sharing with other the Caring and Sharing ministry, Youth Ministry, the Drama Ministry, Music Ministry, Christian Education, Brotherhood, and the missions.  The church parsonage was paid off and property located at 3615-19 Jackson was purchased for future expansion.  Air conditioning of the entire church was completed, an alarm system was installed, a church van was purchased, stained glass windows were installed in the sanctuary, and a grand piano was purchased.  

 

After 14 years of service, Pastor Ervin resigned in 1999; after which, Rev. Louis Monroe served as interim pastor for twenty two months ending in 2001.

 

On November 23, 2001, Rev. Gregory Stevens was called to the pastorate of Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church.  On December 9, 2001, Pastor Gregory Stevens was officially installed.  Through God’s grace and under the leadership of Pastor Stevens, seven Ministers were added to the ministry -  Minister Damon Brewington, Minister Ronald Caldwell, Minister Deangelo Huggins, Minister Cordaro Booker, Minister Carl Bowman, Minister Gregory Preston and Minister Dereck Dean.  There were five deacons added to the ministry - Deacon Cecil Terry, Deacon Jerry Wrice, Deacon Chris Harris, Deacon Meekeeaal Jones and Deacon Richard Tillman.   Four new trustees were appointed:  Brother Jeff Miller, Sister Diane Scroggins, Sister Zandra Jones and Sister Sherri Alexander.

 

In the year of 2002, the entire inside of the church underwent a total new makeover: new foyer, offices, sanctuary, classrooms, restrooms, fellowship hall, kitchen, stairways, new pews, new chairs and tables for the classrooms/offices/fellowship hall.  A new used Hammond B3 organ and a new drum set was purchased.  New sound system was installed and a new sound booth was built.  New tile floors and carpeting all over the entire building.  A new commercial freezer and refrigerator and a new chairlift was purchased and installed in the main stairway.

 

The new ministries of the church that were added:  Male Chorus, Sick and Shut In Ministry, Hospitality Ministry, Health and Wellness Ministry, Pastoral Care, Congregational Care, Media Ministry, Divine Angels, Praise Dance, Divas In Christ Junior Mission, Women's Ministry, Vacation Bible School, Praise and Worship Ministry, Scholarship Ministry, Children’s Church Ministry, Beautification Ministry and Junior Usher’s Ministry.

 

The church has purchased and installed a new projector and automatic screen for the sanctuary, a new laptop computer, a new 50’ Sony television and DVD recorder for the fellowship hall, a new 2014 Ford 15 passenger van and build a new security cage for the van, five new air conditioning units, one new air handling system and a new roof, new flooring for the stairways and lower level, a new Kurzweil 2500 Keyboard and stand.