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ELM GROVE BAPTIST
Circa. 1925
"The Elm Grove Baptist Church was organized in the home of Brother George and Sister Carrie Walks, 645 North 38th Street, (then known as Orange Street), in about June of 1925.
The Church's membership consisted of a small group of faithful Christians, and Evangelist I. H. Lusk of Mississippi. Its first deacons were: Brothers George Walks, James Pattin, and James Thomas, who also served as secretary of the church. Its deaconesses were: Sisters Amy Kemp, Betty Dunn, Mary Pattin, and Susie Cotton who was known as "MOTHER" of the church.
The above-mentioned members with five others (adding a few at a time) were responsible for the purchase of a lot at 860 North 38th Street, which had a deed value at that time of $300.00. As time passed, a small structure was erected on this 35' x 100' plot, and roughly cut pine and cypress became a small nave and sanctuary for these worshippers.
The church grew little by little, surviving the after effects of World War I and the crucial days of the depression from 1928-34, under the leadership of the Revs. H. O’Dell and I. H. Lusk until 1935.
Reverend J. Cyrus led this flock from 1935-36, which had now grown to approximately fifty adult members. Reverend Joe White was elected to serve in 1936, calling sinners to repentance and Christians to the fold. He served until he became ill in 1938.
Reverend A. L. Pitcher was elected to the pastorate in 1938. As one of the results of the Depression of the 30s, the Elm Grove Baptist Church was closed for approximately 3 years. God sent Brother Allen Robertson, who paid the property tax and reopened the church for worship. He remodeled the church beginning in 1942-44. These were crucial years in that World War II had begun, but the church moved on fulfilling its purpose, with Rev. A. L. Pitcher as pastor and Rev. Alphonse Patterson as local minister. The Deacons were: Allen Robertson, Ike Jackson, Dan Hawkins, Mose Henderson, Amos Follins, George Willis, Willie Johnson, Olives Flowers, Rubin Matthews, Calvin Hills, Wilford Dorsey, and Fancha McCray. The Deaconess were: Julia Robertson, Mary White, Morley Flowers, Honey Bee Williams, Lillie B. Warren, Lizzie Farley, Mary Jane Patin, Cornelia Follins. Early in 1946, Brother Charlie Hawkins hand made the church's pews at a cost of $7.50 each.
In August of 1952, Rev. Joseph Roberts Williams was elected pastor. The Deacons were Ike Jackson, Dan Hawkins, chairman, Willie Johnson, William Johnson, Charlie Smith, Prince Riley, and Gus Jackson. Willie Perkins and Herman Hunter joined later. The Deaconess was Honey Bee William, Mary Black, Marley Flowers, Mary Brown, Eliza Stewart, Lula White, Emma Jackson, Josephine Black, Francis McTern, Rose Lee Smith and Mary Jane Castle.
In 1952 plans for a new church were formulated. A building account was opened with the Fidelity National Bank. During this time the only construction was that of building two sanitary privies.
In the meantime, the church continued to pray and progress. Early in the year of 1958 the pastor appointed a committee of five members to organize the kitchen club. These persons were Sisters Creola Price, Emily Perkins, Leola Havard, Anna Holmes and Doris Jackson. A little later in the year the church purchased some property from William (Billy) Forbes on the corner of North 38th and Zion Streets on which to build the present church. Groundbreaking service was held on Sunday, June 1958, Rev. Peter Nelson delivered the message. The pastor then called a church meeting and purposed a bond program of which the members voted to finance the new church building. In November 1958 bonds were issued in denominations of $100.00, $500.00 and $1,000.00 increments.
The architect for the building was Mr. Louis A. Vernon, and the contractor was Bro. Charley Howard, a member of the church. The dedication service was held June 24, 1962. The sermon was delivered by Dr. T. J. Jemison, pastor of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church. The church held its cornerstone laying service on Sunday, May 26, 1963 conducted by the M. W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Grand Master Jno. G. Lewis, Jr. A. L. 5963.
Since June 24, 1962, the following programs have been instituted: membership training institutes, stewardship revivals, city mission schools, inter-denominational and non-racial services with other churches including but not limited to joint services with St. Paul Lutheran Church, and annual worship service with St. Mary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. N. T. Calvin. Through Christian fellowship other traditions continued such as marriages, christenings, baptisms, personal conferences, funerals and other adversities.
Pastor J. R. Williams authorized the first stewardship-training course in November 1964, five nights during the week of Thanksgiving and it is still being carried out. He was the first pastor of the black churches to change the Sunday worship service from 11:00am to 7:00am. This was something new to the churches in the Parish.
The first ordination of Deacons was held on Sunday, March 5, 1965. This was another grand occasion in the life of the church. The five members of the Board of Deacons were Brothers William Perkins, Sr., Willie Johnson, Gus Jackson, Charley Smith and James Cobbs. The official appointments were administered by Dr. R. Douglas Thomas.
Rev. J. R. Williams had the opportunity to go to Liberia, West Africa on an evangelistic mission to preach at First Baptist Church of Millsburg, March 1978. The Pastor found that hymn books were among the many things needed at that church. On August 21, 1978 a shipment of 48 Baptist Standard Hymnals were purchased with contributions from the members at Elm Grove Baptist Church and donated to that congregation.
It wasn't long before our pastor saw the need for an educational center. So plans were formulated to build, and work was started on November 22, 1977 and completed in April 1979 at a cost of $249,000.00. This addition included a mini auditorium, modern kitchen, three classrooms, a nursery, clerical-room, a work-room and a conference room on the first floor. On the second floor there were ten classrooms and a large conference room.
The childcare center started in February 1980 with Mrs. Edmona Guillory as Director and enrollments commenced immediately. The Lord has done great things for this church family through the spiritual guidance of Pastor J. R. Williams.
In 1990 it was decided by Pastor Williams and the church that the Sanctuary needed expansion to accommodate the growing church family. Plans were developed and financial arrangements were undertaken via bank negotiations and church member assessments to make this vision a reality. In 1996, Pastor Williams told the Deacons and the church that he was getting old and tired and that the church needed a younger man. So he brought to the Deacons Minister Errol K. Domingue and the church accepted him as an assistant Pastor.
In June 2000, Pastor Williams showed signs of declining health. Later that month, he participated in a convention in Houston, Texas, returned home and passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2000. Following a 30-day mourning period for Pastor Williams, Minister Domingue was elected as Pastor of Elm Grove Baptist Church. This election was conducted on August 11, 2000. The church continues to grow and prosper.
Pastor Errol K. Domingue met with the congregation during the first church meeting of 2001 to inform them of the upward direction in which he would like to see Elm Grove Baptist Church move. He wrote a booklet entitled: Expectation 2010. As this publication continues to be distributed many of its goals are presently being implemented."
The Church's membership consisted of a small group of faithful Christians, and Evangelist I. H. Lusk of Mississippi. Its first deacons were: Brothers George Walks, James Pattin, and James Thomas, who also served as secretary of the church. Its deaconesses were: Sisters Amy Kemp, Betty Dunn, Mary Pattin, and Susie Cotton who was known as "MOTHER" of the church.
The above-mentioned members with five others (adding a few at a time) were responsible for the purchase of a lot at 860 North 38th Street, which had a deed value at that time of $300.00. As time passed, a small structure was erected on this 35' x 100' plot, and roughly cut pine and cypress became a small nave and sanctuary for these worshippers.
The church grew little by little, surviving the after effects of World War I and the crucial days of the depression from 1928-34, under the leadership of the Revs. H. O’Dell and I. H. Lusk until 1935.
Reverend J. Cyrus led this flock from 1935-36, which had now grown to approximately fifty adult members. Reverend Joe White was elected to serve in 1936, calling sinners to repentance and Christians to the fold. He served until he became ill in 1938.
Reverend A. L. Pitcher was elected to the pastorate in 1938. As one of the results of the Depression of the 30s, the Elm Grove Baptist Church was closed for approximately 3 years. God sent Brother Allen Robertson, who paid the property tax and reopened the church for worship. He remodeled the church beginning in 1942-44. These were crucial years in that World War II had begun, but the church moved on fulfilling its purpose, with Rev. A. L. Pitcher as pastor and Rev. Alphonse Patterson as local minister. The Deacons were: Allen Robertson, Ike Jackson, Dan Hawkins, Mose Henderson, Amos Follins, George Willis, Willie Johnson, Olives Flowers, Rubin Matthews, Calvin Hills, Wilford Dorsey, and Fancha McCray. The Deaconess were: Julia Robertson, Mary White, Morley Flowers, Honey Bee Williams, Lillie B. Warren, Lizzie Farley, Mary Jane Patin, Cornelia Follins. Early in 1946, Brother Charlie Hawkins hand made the church's pews at a cost of $7.50 each.
In August of 1952, Rev. Joseph Roberts Williams was elected pastor. The Deacons were Ike Jackson, Dan Hawkins, chairman, Willie Johnson, William Johnson, Charlie Smith, Prince Riley, and Gus Jackson. Willie Perkins and Herman Hunter joined later. The Deaconess was Honey Bee William, Mary Black, Marley Flowers, Mary Brown, Eliza Stewart, Lula White, Emma Jackson, Josephine Black, Francis McTern, Rose Lee Smith and Mary Jane Castle.
In 1952 plans for a new church were formulated. A building account was opened with the Fidelity National Bank. During this time the only construction was that of building two sanitary privies.
In the meantime, the church continued to pray and progress. Early in the year of 1958 the pastor appointed a committee of five members to organize the kitchen club. These persons were Sisters Creola Price, Emily Perkins, Leola Havard, Anna Holmes and Doris Jackson. A little later in the year the church purchased some property from William (Billy) Forbes on the corner of North 38th and Zion Streets on which to build the present church. Groundbreaking service was held on Sunday, June 1958, Rev. Peter Nelson delivered the message. The pastor then called a church meeting and purposed a bond program of which the members voted to finance the new church building. In November 1958 bonds were issued in denominations of $100.00, $500.00 and $1,000.00 increments.
The architect for the building was Mr. Louis A. Vernon, and the contractor was Bro. Charley Howard, a member of the church. The dedication service was held June 24, 1962. The sermon was delivered by Dr. T. J. Jemison, pastor of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church. The church held its cornerstone laying service on Sunday, May 26, 1963 conducted by the M. W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Grand Master Jno. G. Lewis, Jr. A. L. 5963.
Since June 24, 1962, the following programs have been instituted: membership training institutes, stewardship revivals, city mission schools, inter-denominational and non-racial services with other churches including but not limited to joint services with St. Paul Lutheran Church, and annual worship service with St. Mary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. N. T. Calvin. Through Christian fellowship other traditions continued such as marriages, christenings, baptisms, personal conferences, funerals and other adversities.
Pastor J. R. Williams authorized the first stewardship-training course in November 1964, five nights during the week of Thanksgiving and it is still being carried out. He was the first pastor of the black churches to change the Sunday worship service from 11:00am to 7:00am. This was something new to the churches in the Parish.
The first ordination of Deacons was held on Sunday, March 5, 1965. This was another grand occasion in the life of the church. The five members of the Board of Deacons were Brothers William Perkins, Sr., Willie Johnson, Gus Jackson, Charley Smith and James Cobbs. The official appointments were administered by Dr. R. Douglas Thomas.
Rev. J. R. Williams had the opportunity to go to Liberia, West Africa on an evangelistic mission to preach at First Baptist Church of Millsburg, March 1978. The Pastor found that hymn books were among the many things needed at that church. On August 21, 1978 a shipment of 48 Baptist Standard Hymnals were purchased with contributions from the members at Elm Grove Baptist Church and donated to that congregation.
It wasn't long before our pastor saw the need for an educational center. So plans were formulated to build, and work was started on November 22, 1977 and completed in April 1979 at a cost of $249,000.00. This addition included a mini auditorium, modern kitchen, three classrooms, a nursery, clerical-room, a work-room and a conference room on the first floor. On the second floor there were ten classrooms and a large conference room.
The childcare center started in February 1980 with Mrs. Edmona Guillory as Director and enrollments commenced immediately. The Lord has done great things for this church family through the spiritual guidance of Pastor J. R. Williams.
In 1990 it was decided by Pastor Williams and the church that the Sanctuary needed expansion to accommodate the growing church family. Plans were developed and financial arrangements were undertaken via bank negotiations and church member assessments to make this vision a reality. In 1996, Pastor Williams told the Deacons and the church that he was getting old and tired and that the church needed a younger man. So he brought to the Deacons Minister Errol K. Domingue and the church accepted him as an assistant Pastor.
In June 2000, Pastor Williams showed signs of declining health. Later that month, he participated in a convention in Houston, Texas, returned home and passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2000. Following a 30-day mourning period for Pastor Williams, Minister Domingue was elected as Pastor of Elm Grove Baptist Church. This election was conducted on August 11, 2000. The church continues to grow and prosper.
Pastor Errol K. Domingue met with the congregation during the first church meeting of 2001 to inform them of the upward direction in which he would like to see Elm Grove Baptist Church move. He wrote a booklet entitled: Expectation 2010. As this publication continues to be distributed many of its goals are presently being implemented."
SUBMITTED BY: Elm Grove Baptist Church
7711 Goodwood Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 231-3750
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