Little with a vision for a church in the North Lawndale Community on Chicago's west side. Little and 8 other people of faith: Carrie Clark, Bessie Gordon, Jeanette Lamar, Idell Little, Alex Mayfield, Marie Mayfield, Ora Mullins and Theodore Garrison organized the Open Door Missionary Baptist Church. I n May 1948, the first worship service was held at a school in the neighboring community. Weekly c
hurch services were held every Sunday thereafter until January 1949 when it became necessary to move. Little was not deterred, he and his wife offered their home to continue the worship services. Little and the congregation knowing the Lord would provide, continued to work and pray until the Lord blessed them with a new church home. On Sunday July 24, 1949, the Open Door Church membership marched into their new church home at 1539 S. Christiana. The church progressed spiritually and bountifully, adding new members, working
steadfastly and holding on to their faith. In 1952 the membership was blessed to pay off their mortgage. With the continuous blessings of new members, it soon became necessary to seek a larger place of worship. Again, the congregation petitioned the throne of God and on Sunday, November 21, 1954 marched into 1301 S. Sawyer Avenue and renamed the church the Greater Open Door Missionary Baptist Church. Today, the church continues to flourish under the tireless leadership of Dr. Richard D.
