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“God’s Power Revealed Through History”
The history of the Mount Vernon Baptist Church began the second Sunday in September, 1931, when members of the Highland Baptist Church assembled together, hopefully, for what they thou
ght would be Sunday morning worship services. However, there was a lot of skepticism among the members because of the dissension between the pastor, Rev. Horton and the membership. Reverend Horton addressed the membership by saying,” If anyone wants to hear me preach, follow me.” A number of members followed Rev. Horton to a Presbyterian church at 17th and Paradeway. After organizing, the church was called Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Horton gave the (selfsame) name of a church he had formerly pastored in Mississippi giving birth to a new church. Services continued to be held at the Presbyterian Church. On the first Sunday in December, 1931, the church moved to the first floor of the U.B.F. Hall located at l4th and Michigan and was there for one year. In the Spring of 1932, a committee was comprised of Deacon Scott, Deacon Basin and others to find a permanent place to worship. The committee located a building at 12th and Brooklyn. Very soon thereafter, the Church marched from l4th and Michigan to 12th and Brooklyn. Things were going well until the summer of 1935. Pastor Horton became ill, but carried on until he became too weak to preside any longer. He sent for a young minister, the Rev. Jones, who impressed him from the beginning of their friendship, to carry on for him, and asked that he keep the spirit in the church (information supplied by the late Rev. Preston Allen, Sr.) On November 28, 1935, Rev. Horton passed from labor to reward. Many things were accomplished under his leadership. He served from 1931 to 1935.
1936-1969 ~ Under the Leadership of Pastor O. Jones
Without a pastor ninety days, the church held a “Call Meeting” with moderator, the late Reverend Preston Allen, Sr. Deacon Scott was the Chairman of the Board. On February 28, 1936, the Reverend O. Jones was elected pastor by the church, lead by God’s direction. On the third in June 1936, the Mount Vernon membership purchased and moved to 1001 Park Avenue. It was not until the early part of 1959, when our current building (3935 Prospect) was located by the late Sylvester Perkins, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The church purchased this building for $58,500.00, erected a double choir stand, a baptismal pool, purchased pulpit furniture, to make ready for worship. The membership marched from 1001 Park Avenue, on the fourth Sunday in October (October 18, 1959). This building was dedicated to God for worship service. The church building at 1001 Park Avenue was sold to the late Pastor C. Rucker, Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, for the sum of $16,000.00.
Reverend Oscar S. Jones – Pastor – February 29, 1936 until February 15, 1969
The late Charlie Burks, Sr. was appointed Chairman of the Board, February 5, 1963, succeeding the late Deacon Jesse Johnson. The late Ellis Boykins, Co-Chairman. December 3, 1965, Pastor Jones felt the need for a change in the official board, and appointed Deacon Emanuel A. Johnson, Chairman of the Board, succeeding the late Deacon Charlie Burks; appointed the late W. Brooks, Chairman of the Trustee Board, succeeding the late Sylvester Perkins; appointed the late Lee Thompson, Building Fund Treasurer; the late Deacon Ellis Boykins, Chairman of Finance; assisted by the late Donald Carter, Sr.; added the late Alex Ezell to the Board of Trustees. Deacon Emanuel A. Johnson served until December 31, 1966, at which time, he was called to the ministry. He was succeeded by Deacon Henry Young, Sr. who was appointed the second Sunday in January, 1967 and served until December 8,1972. He too, answered the call to the ministry. He was succeeded by the late George Griffin, who served from December 8, 1972 until December, 1992; he was succeeded by Deacon Joe Dillard, Sr., who served from 12/92 until 6/2003. Deacon Leon Brown was appointed Chairman of Board on June 1, 2003, and is currently serving. Deacon Monroe Porter currently serves as Co-Chairman. Things were going well until November, 1968; Pastor Jones became ill, sent for our Associate Minister, Rev. Emanuel A. Johnson and gave him full responsibility to care for the church. On February 15, 1969, the Rev. Jones crossed over, completing 33 years of successful service and many accomplishments.
1969-2004 ~ Under the Leadership of Rev. Dr. Emanuel A. Johnson
Without a pastor for 30 days, the church held a “Call Meeting” on April 18, 1969, and elected Rev. Johnson to lead the church. M. Overton was elected assistant pastor and served until his death March 6, 1972. Under the leadership of Pastor Johnson, the church underwent extensive remodeling and expansion. Improvements have included the additions of a nursery, First Aid Room, Choir Room, enlargement of the choir stand, a custom built Baptistery, handicapped accessible restrooms, a finance office, improved office space, purchase of new computers, a grand piano, organ, new seats, four vans, two parsonages, installation of a sensormatic cable power video security system, a new P. A system, custom exterior signs and numerous interior and exterior decorations, renovations & equipment designed to enhance our worship service. In September of 1981, the church mortgage “was burned on the 50th year anniversary. The garage (now known as the E. A. Johnson Fellowship Hall) was completely renovated. In renovating the old garage, the kitchen, dining area & lounges were completely furnished, as well as the lower level remodeled for a “Fitness Center,” named in honor of Pastor Johnson. The mortgage on the Fellowship Hall was burned September 7,1986, eight years ahead schedule. The church purchased & remodeled the KFC building. Originally, it was converted for a Fellowship Hall, later Library and E. Johnson Learning Center, and in 2004, Pastor Emeritus Johnson’s Office. It too, was paid off ahead of schedule. The church purchased the Doctor’s office; it was completely renovated and furnished, housing the Pastor’s study/office, the secretary’s office, a lounge, copier and class rooms. Mortgage was paid out seven years ahead of schedule, leaving the church debt-free. The following real estate property was purchased: 3909-11 Prospect, 3915-20 Prospect, 3930-38-40 Prospect, 3931-35 Prospect, 3939-40 Prospect, 4003 Prospect, 2602-04—08-12 E. 40th Street. The church published its first church membership directory, August 1999. Lola Hall was Chairman. Published its first Newsletter, entitled, Mount Vernon Epistle, directed by Renee Marshall, Director of Christian Education. Pastor Emanuel Anderson Johnson retired June 24, 2004, but retained an honorary title as “Pastor Emeritus” after having completed 35 years of loyal and dedicated leadership. Let us be grateful to God for Emanuel Anderson Johnson, the leader placed at Mount Vernon, where many, many lives have been saved, many accomplishments attained, many spiritual and financial blessings too numerous to count.
2004-Present ~ Under the Leadership of Rev. Donald W. Givens
Church
July 1, 2004 Marked a New Beginning for Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church
Reverend Donald W. Givens was appointed Pastor of the Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church. He assumed “Pastoral Duties” on July 1, 2004. With our prayers, support and God’s will he will take the church into the new century. Under the divine leadership of Pastor Donald W. Givens, the Lord is truly blessing. Mount Vernon is maintaining its Spiritual and Financial blessing of the Lord. There has been addition to the church family, by Christian experience and candidates for baptism. Pastor Givens gives of his time to visit the sick, regardless of the time and place and is concerned about the needy, and wants to know about the parishioners that have been placed in his care.
