I
Seeo d B pdst Cllurch .
114 years old tim year. It is the
outgrowth of a Swiday School
that held its meetiDgs at 84
Main Street, Benton Harbor,
above the "Five and Ten Cent
Store'- in 1875.
Five years later in 1880
Rev. Cromwell from Canada
organized a Baptist Church
and was located on Bronson
street A frame was erected
Shortly afterward the church
was burned to the ground
In 1890, Rev. Ferguson
from Indianapolis reorganized
a disheartened people and
located on Colfax near the
intersection of Michigan
Avenue. Soon after, the
congregation moved from
Colfax to Eighth Street
In 1893, Rev. Morris
secured enough funds with
free labor and built the first
unit on Eighth Street for
worship. Baptismal sevice was
held on the dock of Est Main, -
by breaking the ice. Rev.
Morris became pastor and the
task of building pews for the
church took place.
The pastors from 1900
through 1935 were; Rev.
McFarland, Rev. D.H. Foster,
Rev. um, Rev. Leggins Rev.
R.H. Cable, Rev. J. Barnes
and Rev. T.H. Ward
In 1936 the pastor was. the
Rev. F.A. Williams. The
indebtness of the church was
paid in 1937. They also
celebrated their 62nd
Anniver rye
Rev. Sebree came to pastor
in 1941 and pastored until his
death. .
Church:
an editorial in
alIadium at the
time 0 hi death that called
man of unshakeable
t was matched only by
t good-will passed
from e local scene this
week." If it is within the power
of mor I man to chart the
path t Heaven, the Rev.
Wilso had about as good a
chance of being on the right
track as anyone we kno ."
In 1966, after serving
Second Baptist Church as
deacon and A sistant Pastor,
the Rev. Donald B. Adkin
was called to pastor his home
church.
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The present membership is
over 790.
Second B ptist consists of
many Departments, Board and
Auxiliaries. They are:
I Deacons, Trustees, Mother's
and Deconess board, Sunday
School, Congress of Christian
Education, Senior Ushers, Jr.
Ushers, Missionary Circles,
Beaconettes, Women's
Chorus, Senior Choir, Gospel
Chorus, Junior Choir, Young
Adult Choir, Adkinairs, and
Pator's Volunteer Club.
Second Baptist Church is a
member of the Chain Lake
Baptist District Association
and the Wolverine Baptist
State Convention.
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REV. W. G. WILSON
1937 - 62 Anniversary
Rev. F. A.lWiliiams - Pastor
Mortgage Burning - Home Coming
In 1944 Rev. W.G. Wilson Pastor Adkins slates "TIle
was called to pastor and under history of Second Baptist is
his leadership for twenty-two quite unique. It emerges from
years, membership grew to 400.· a struggle within a struggle."
In 1956, after twelve years He says it' a church where
of pastoring, Rev. Wilson felt a ple are people equal; aU
the need to build a new edifice is Ie e at the cross.
'but w led to 477 Cherry n pril28, 1974, there
Street which was purchased was a motorcade from the
and remode d. Cherry Street address to their
Rev. Wilson vas the author present location at 600 lynch
of book entitled, "From Street (The former Benton
SOD- 't S ies", Ten years later Harbor Tabernacle).
be passed on at age 78.
t ..... , C J • • f'.
Pastor Adkins serves as
associate Dean of the .
Congress of Christian
Education in Chain Lake
Baptist District Association;
Vice President of Wolverine
Stale Convention; Michigan
State Police Chaplain for the
Fifth District; and Chairman
of LO.C. (Learning
Opportunity Center).
He is a member of the
NAACP, Harbor Masonic
Lodge #15, and C.E.D.C.
(Community Economic
Development Commission).
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Rev. Donald B. Adkins
.(
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April 28, 1974
Rev. Donald B. Adkins .. Pastor
Motorcade to present location
600 Lynch Street
He and his wife Louise are
the parents of two girls and
four boys. -
One of the sons is the
popular comic and "Different
World" star S.inbad.
The order of service is 9:25
a.m. Sunday Sch 01; 10:45 a.m.
Morning Worship; 7- p.m.
Wednesday, Prayer ervice,
The church them ls,
Developing Your ipiritual
Gifts, ) Corinthians] 2:) -31.
The ublic is invited to
wor. hip with ccond Baptist
at any and all erviccs.
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477 Cherry Street
Rev. W. G. Wilson, Pastor 1956
