Second Baptist Church was organized at a Call Meeting on May 18, 1927 in a private home on Second Street, located in the Old Village.
The organizational meeting was led by Rev. Arthur J. Phillips, during which trustees and deacons were selected. After this portion of the meeting, Rev. Phillips was excused, and Rev. Reid, father of charter member Mary, took over as presiding officer. During this session, Rev. Phillips was unanimously voted in as pastor, following a resolution from the Deacon Board that his term would be twenty (20) years to life. Rev. Phillips then resumed his role presiding over the meeting, and the trustees were authorized to begin searching for a church site.
On May 21, 1927, the trustees reported that a site at 52 South Simon Avenue, Lackawanna, NY was available for purchase at $950.00. The report was accepted, and until the church was built, members continued to meet in private homes. Eventually, it was decided to use the old Friendship House at 195 Ridge Road (now the Ebenezer Baptist Church dining hall) as a temporary meeting space.
With a $5,000 loan from the Buffalo Baptist Association, ground was broken for the new church on June 15, 1927. Thanks to the hard work of Waverly Jones, Julius Bowles, and Henry Dan Burse, the building was completed, and by May 1929, the congregation moved into its first new home.
At that time, the church still carried $2,500 of debt. To address this, members organized a “Rally Day,” assessing each member $25.00 and appointing ten captains to lead the effort. This initiative raised $2,710.22, enough to cover the balance.
The loan was officially paid off on October 1, 1943, and the mortgage was burned in a celebratory ceremony on December 9, 1943. Around this time, the church also purchased new instruments.
The church remained financially stable through:
Membership dues and assessments
Freewill offerings
Programs (such as musicals and state rallies)
The sale of dinners
Members also gave their time, energy, and love to maintain God’s house and nurture a strong spirit of fellowship.
On January 22, 1955, after faithfully serving as pastor of Second Baptist Church for 28 years, Rev. Phillips passed away at Millard Fillmore Hospital. Following his passing, Rev. Adolphus Allen helped guide the congregation, keeping the members united in loving fellowship.
In January 1956, Rev. George F. Bell became the pastor of the church. Under his leadership, the first major step was planning to relocate the church home. The original plan was to build a new church, and four lots were purchased on Washington Street in Lackawanna for that purpose.
However, after reconsideration, on January 15, 1958, the trustees were authorized to negotiate the purchase of the Serbian Church at 18 Church Street, Lackawanna, for $35,000. A down payment of $32,000 was made, with a six-month mortgage for the remaining $3,000. The loan was quickly paid in full, and the mortgage was ceremonially burned.
On the third Sunday in July 1959, the church family marched from their old home on Simon Avenue to their new home at 18 Church Street. Extensive repairs were made to the building, and new furnishings were purchased to make the space their own.
In June 1971, Rev. Bell accepted the pastorate of Tasker Street Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA, leaving the congregation without a pastor once again. Even so, the church family remained steadfast, continuing in prayerful fellowship.
Rev. Tommie L. Burson was called to pastor the church on December 1, 1971 and served for two (2) years. Under his leadership a parsonage was purchased.
Upon his leaving, the deacon board held the church together spiritually until January 1, 1975.
On January 1, 1975, Rev. Allen B. Green accepted the call to lead the church.
At the time, Rev. Green was also serving in the U.S. Army. In January 1976, he was granted leave from his pastoral duties to complete his tour of duty. During his absence, Rev. William E. Feagin faithfully served as interim pastor from January 1976 until Rev. Green’s return in September 1977.
Having completed his military service, Rev. Green resumed his role and led the church until January 1980, when he resigned to accept the pastorate of Second Baptist Church in Erie, PA.
Following his departure, the church’s spiritual leadership was once again entrusted to the Deacon Board.
Rev. J. Daryl Wood accepted the pastorate on October 5, 1980. His first priority was restructuring the church’s financial program to ensure we could be better stewards of the Lord’s blessings.
Rev. Wood also played a key role in launching a building program to plan for the construction of a new church building. During his leadership, the church also purchased its first van, allowing members to travel and fellowship with other houses of worship.
In January 1987, Rev. Wood stepped down from his role, and the Deacon Board assumed responsibility for the church’s affairs. With God’s guidance, the congregation remained united in love, seeking renewal and strength.
Rev. Howard T. Reese joined us in August 1987 and soon became our interim pastor. His humble spirit and loving manner quickly became evident, and at a quarterly church meeting on April 5, 1988, the congregation voted to call him as the pastor of Second Baptist Church.
Under Pastor Reese’s leadership, the church completed its building plan, which included the renovation of the sanctuary and fellowship hall and the addition of new office space. Our next projects included re-landscaping the church grounds, building a parking lot, installing new glass doors at the entrances to the sanctuary and hall, and placing a signboard on the lawn—all of which were completed.
The Youth Department also purchased new robes, which were dedicated on Mother’s Day 2000. Around the same time, the church began planning for a library and media center and explored options to add fencing around the parking lots.
On New Year’s Day 2001, the Second Baptist Church family and the wider community were deeply saddened by the news that Pastor Reese had been called home to his heavenly reward. Though the loss left us in shock, we found comfort in knowing that God makes no mistakes and had already prepared someone to continue leading us.
We remained united in prayerful diligence until December 2001, when Rev. Mark E. Blue was called to lead the flock at Second Baptist Church. Since Pastor Blue’s arrival, there has been a renewed spirit of love, growth, and dedication throughout the church.
Our Sunday School, Bible Study, and Worship Services have grown in both attendance and spiritual depth. The Women’s Ministry, led by First Lady Angela Blue, was established to inspire and support the women of the church. In addition, the Brotherhood, a laymen’s organization, was formed to strengthen fellowship and spiritual growth among the men.
Our youth ministry meets on Thursday evenings for Bible study, where young people can discuss issues relevant to their lives and explore how the Bible speaks to them. They have also added tutoring sessions to assist students with their schoolwork and homework assignments.
Under Pastor Blue’s leadership, the church has also completed many of the projects that were in progress at the time of Pastor Reese’s passing, further honoring his legacy. Some of our accomplishments since Pastor Blue has been our under-shepherd at Second Baptist Church are:
1.) Acquired additional property bordering our church building for future growth
2.) Purchased a new Church van and baptistery
3.) Purchased a new stove and hood, and renovated our kitchen
4.) A new Senior Citizen Community Ministry
5.) A “RIGHTS OF PASSAGE” ministry will be started soon for the youth in our community.
6.) New computers have been installed for the use of our community youth and seniors
7.) Purchased new tables and chairs for our dining hall.
8.) Weekly Saturday morning community Food Pantry
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Philippians 3:13-18
“13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” – NKJV
We gratefully recognize the dedicated associate ministers whose leadership, teaching, and devotion have been instrumental in strengthening our spiritual fellowship and guiding our congregation.
| REV. ROBERT PALMER | Assisted Pastor Phillips |
| REV. JOHN WASHINGTON | Dr. Watts Chorus |
| REV. CARL JONES | Assisted Pastor Burson, Youth Involvement |
| REV. TERRENCE MELVIN | Associate Minister, Assisting Pastor Blue |