Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church

History of Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church

The History of Park Avenue Baptist Church began on February 9, 1921 at the St. Paul Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. T.H. Ewing, with 46 members all with letters from the Vine Street Baptist Church.  Rev. J.W. Hurse, C.C. Calloway & N.T. Nance were organizers.  The first church home was at 19^th & Highland.  In May, 1921, property was purchased & the first unit was erected on June 10, 1930.  Rev. Ewing passed from labor to reward after serving nine years. Rev. Dudley served as Interim Pastor for one year.

1931-1937 - In September of 1931, Rev. J.D. Hunt was the second Pastor to serve.  He improved the edifice by adding wood floors, cabinets, and restrooms.  After serving six years, he resigned.

1937-1940 - Rev. L.D. Revoal was the third Pastor to serve.  After three years of service he resigned.

1940-1945 - Rev. R.H. Dixon served five years.  Rev. R.H. Dixon, Jr. served a few months.

1945-1947 - Rev. Samuel T. McKibbin served two years.

1948-1968 - On Sept. 10, 1948 Rev. John H. Williams was called to Pastor.  During his tenure, the church prospered numerically, spiritually and financially.  After more than twenty years of active service, Rev. Williams retired in December of 1968.

1976-1984 - In November 1975, Rev. Dr. Carl Johnson was called to Pastor.  He took the helm on Feb. 6, 1976.  Under Dr. Johnson’s leadership, the church again grew numerically, spiritually, and financially.  He resigned after nine years of service.

1985-1999 - In Feb. 1985, Rev. George Ervin, Jr. served as a interim Pastor.  On January 24, 1986, he was elected Pastor.  After fourteen years of service, Rev. Dr. Ervin Resigned.

1999-2001 - Associate Minister Louis Monroe served faithfully as interim Pastor for twenty-two months.

November, 2001 - Present - Rev. Gregory Stevens was called to Pastor Park Avenue Baptist.

Accomplishments

To include but not limited to: Pastor’s Study, air conditioning, classrooms, carpet, heated baptismal pool, fellowship hall, kitchen, cushioned pews, off street parking- ( to include handicap spaces, burning of church mortgage on Feb. 17, 1980, acquired property at 3231 Paseo & 3615-19 Jackson, church van, alarm system, capital improvement - interior and exterior, and new sound system.