THE HISTORY OF
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH

The Church is more than a religious organization; it is an organism with Christ as the Living Head. The members differ from each other, yet they function as one in the will of God. If one member suffers, the whole body suffers; if one is honored, all are honored; and the members should use their spiritual gifts to minister to all in Love.
(I Corinthians 2:1-3) To be a part of this church, you must be spiritually born into it. Jesus Christ has made a way for all; He said, whosoever will, let him come.
Our church, Second Baptist began with the thought that the lower part of Homestead was in need of a Black church. Clark Memorial Baptist Church, located on the hill was the only Black church in Homestead. God touched a local preacher, Brother Prince Cunningham in a vision in 1904, and a church in the lower section of town was started. This missionary church began with a few people and was located at 226 Sixth Avenue in 1905. This soul saving station moved several times and had several preachers in its beginning.
Reverend N. S. Lane petitioned a council of leading Baptist ministers in Western Pennsylvania to recognize Second Baptist Church. In 1908 this council voted to recognize Second Baptist Church as a power for God and as part of the Baptist denomination in Homestead. Reverend Lane soon left and Reverend Z. A. Jones became the next pastor. Reverend Jones too had a short stay as pastor. He too did not have a long stay with us as a pastor.
In November 1914, Reverend James Douglas Morton became the pastor of Second Baptist Church. During his tenure, the Sunday School, B.Y.P.U., the choir and the Pastor’s Aide were organized within the first few months of his pastorate. In addition, the first property, 222 Sixth Avenue was purchased for $6,500 in June 1915. The church body worshipped at this site for nine years and had outgrown the building. In 1924, the church purchased property at Fourth Avenue and Amity Street for $15,000. On the fourth Sunday in June, Second Baptist members marched from the Sixth Avenue location to the new church at Fourth and Amity.
From 1924 until 1940, the church grew. We had a Sunday School, headed by Brother Edward Coles with thirteen classes; the Missionary Circle, headed by Sister Sadie Morton increased and two other groups were formed, Young Women’s and Junior Missionary Circles; the Pulpit Aide society under the leadership of Sister Indiana James took care of the needs of the pastor and his wife. Other church auxiliaries were growing too. The Willing Workers, headed by Sister Lillie Mae Green, the Usher Board led by Sister Kallup Bell, the young people’s group, BYPU led by Brother Luther Walker, and the newest group was the Nurses Court, headed by Sister Henrietta Mathis. In addition, the church had two choral groups, the Senior Choir directed by Brother Russell Jefferson and the Junior Choir, directed by Sister Sadie Morton.
Also, during this time span several preachers were licensed by the membership, Rev C. R. Crockett, Rev Charles Harper, Rev Gilbert Johnson, Rev Henry Still and Rev William Barnett.
We also became a member of the Allegheny Baptist General Association and were involved in all departments. The church made rapid strides under the leadership of Reverend Morton and became an essential part of the social, cultural, and spiritual life of Homestead.
On November 9, 1941 Rev Morton celebrated his 27th Pastoral Anniversary at the 408 Fourth Avenue church. In a matter of weeks, December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor and the commencement of World War II, the war that changed the course of many lives. To make way for the defense expansion, all homes and buildings in lower Homestead were razed for Carnegie Illinois Steel Corporation. The church was sold to the federal government for $35,000, but the congregation had nowhere to go. As a last resort, the membership moved into the vacant Fourth Ward School on Ninth Avenue, and the first service was held in 1942. The parsonage was relocated to 351 West Twelfth Avenue. The next three years found the congregation moving from location to location. To keep together many of the auxiliaries held meeting in the homes of members. Out of these home meetings grew the Cross Bearers Chorus.
In 1944 the school was declared unsafe and was torn down. For a short while the congregation met in the Newman’s Funeral Chapel on Amity Street. Then Reverend E. P. Tunie offered to share the sanctuary of Clark Memorial Baptist Church. Church services began at 1:00 PM following the services of Rev Tunie. Shortly after this, the church began construction of its basement at Twelfth Avenue and West Street. During this time the membership suffered, the members dwindled and there were just a “faithful few” attending. But with the establishment of a permanent home, several returned. We celebrated several firsts in our permanent home; the first new member was Sister Sadie Barnett, wife of Rev William Barnett, and the first couple married was Brother Clinton Cotham and Sister Elizabeth Ellis in 1945.
The year 1949 saw the beginning of a decline in Rev Morton’s health. This decline resulted in his death on August 21, 1951. In his memory, the name of the senior missionary circle was changed to the J. D. Morton Missionary in late 1951. His widow, Sister Katie Morton considered a moving force in the progress of the church followed in death in November 1952.
We were without a Pastor until September 1952 when the Deacons and Trustees brought from Cumberland, Virginia the Reverend O. C. Perkins, who was installed as Pastor on January 5, 1953. Under Reverend Perkins’ leadership, the main auditorium of the church was erected. The first service was held on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1956. The Cross Bearers’ Chorus and the J. D. Morton Missionary donated two stained glass windows, and the Missionary also added the carpeting on the floor of the main auditorium.
During the next ten years, several ministers were licensed and ordained: Reverend Timothy Williams, Reverend Clifton Ruggs, Reverend Russell Jefferson, and Reverend Alvin Caldwell.
The Church remained a member of the Allegheny Union Baptist Association, after the merger of the Allegheny Baptist General and the Union Baptist Associations took place.
Reverend Perkins remained as pastor until his resignation in 1964. For two years we were without a pastor. From 1966 until 1970 Reverend Booker T. Crosby was our Pastor. Under his leadership the Laymen’s League and the Young People’s Choir were organized.
In 1971 Second Baptist began a new era with the installation of our present Pastor Reverend Donald P. Turner on March 7, 1971. This fiery young man of God began with a vision of the Lord’s work, and is still carrying on through the visions and God’s work. Through his messages many have been saved. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:41)
Under Pastor Turner’s leadership, new organizations were started. The Teens for Christ was instituted to teach teens their responsibilities and privileges as young Christian men and women. In addition, Wednesday Night Prayer Service and Bible Study was started to learn “What thus saith the Lord” and practical application for Christian living. Pastor Turner also saw a need for New Membership Classes to help new converts to be sure of their understanding of this new life in Christ.
In 1972 Gerald Chapman was called to preach, and he gave his initial sermon in October. After assisting Pastor Turner for a while, Reverend Chapman became pastor of South Hills Baptist Church and is now the pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Ambler, PA.
During the 1970s Sister Ruth White became the first woman trustee and the first woman to serve on the joint board. In 1973 Sister White began the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation for the purpose of raising funds and doing research of this dreaded blood disease that predominantly affects Black people.
Church expansion and renovations took place in 1978. An educational section, a choir room, a study for Pastor Turner, rest rooms, a new front on the church, a baptismal pool, new windows, chandeliers, carpeting and pews were all added. Air conditioning was installed and the kitchen was also remodeled in 1984.
Pastor Turner’s leadership was also responsible for our benevolent fund and our contributions to the Food Bank, Sickle Cell Society, Lott Carey Foreign Mission, MUSA, Salvation Army, Shuman Detention Center and several other needy causes. Rev Turner’s philosophy is that we need to minister to the physical and intellectual needs of man as well as his spiritual needs.
In addition, Reverend Turner began our Seniors Birthday Program. Every senior in our church receives fifty dollars for his birthday. Also, our Scholarship Committee awards scholarships and savings bonds to those members who continue their education and to those who excel in middle school and high school. In 1982 Bruce Burwell formed the Economic and Education Committee (EEC). This committee publishes the church newsletter to keep our members informed.
One of the highlights for our church was in 1984 when Reverend Jesse Jackson visited during his run for President. There was a prayer breakfast and a political rally for Reverend Jackson.
In 1984 there were four choirs: Mass Choir with Sister Virginia Jones as Director and Sister Lucille Small as Pianist, Hallelujah Gospel Choir with Sister Louise Morris as Director and Brother John Burwell as Pianist, Cross Bearers’ Chorus with Sister Dorothy Ford as Director and Pianist, and the Young People’s Chorus with Sister Lisa Brown as Director and Pianist.
During the late 1980s the Young People’s Choir becomes the Gospelites with Brother Bryan Tippett as Director and Brother John Robinson II as Pianist. In the late 1990s, we lost choir members, directors and pianists. We combined the Hallelujahs, the Cross Bearers and the Mass Choirs to become the Trinity Mass Choir with Sister Denise Bursey as Director and Brother John Robinson II as Pianist. Now, our Trinity Mass Choir, Male Chorus and Gospelites are under the direction of Minister John Burwell, our Minister of Music.
From 1984 until 2003 the following became licensed ministers of Second Baptist: Evangelist Luberta Robinson, Evangelist Edith Dickerson, Evangelist Norma Jean Malloy, Evangelist Ralphina Coleman, Reverend Stephen Daniels, Reverend William Hill Sr., Reverend Richard Montgomery, Minister Cecelia Blango, Minister John Robinson, Minister Helen Hill, Minister Doyle Bursey, Minister Edna Striblin, and Minister Arnisha Keyes.
During the 1980s Dr. Sheila Renee Daniels opened the Edith and Eloise Christian Day School. This is a Christian preschool and daycare for those families in our church and in the Homestead community that may need services for teaching and caring for young children. Also, Evangelist Dickerson started A Prayer and A Donut for those young people in need of nourishment before going to school in the morning.
In 1990 we saw the beginning of Vacation Bible School under Sister Barbara Moore who coordinated the weeklong study of God’s Word for children ages 4-16. Teachers taught a Bible lesson, students learned new songs and students enjoyed arts and crafts. The week ended with a program to show parents and church members what students learned and accomplished during the week. A certificate was given to each child for his participation. In addition, during this era our young people developed a mime group to silently minister in song.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18) Pastor Turner was given a vision by God to build a sanctuary, an office and a study in 1996. The church pursued buying property on Twelfth and Thirteenth Avenues to build according to his vision. We met with an architect, Cogun Industries who and designed our new church. Roadblocks quickly confronted us. We were unable to determine owners of find owners of some of these properties; thus making it difficult for us to buy these properties. Also, Homestead Borough was not willing to cooperate with variances and zoning ordinances. It appeared that we might never build because of these roadblocks. However, in 2002, we were able to purchase property once owned by Grace Ministries of Munhall. They built a ministry hall for worship and a daycare for taking care of their children. Because of their controversy with their pastor, the hall, daycare and property at 612 Coal Road West Mifflin was for sale. Our church family voted to buy the ministry hall and all of the property. The controversy does not end after we buy the property; the Borough of West Mifflin tries to block our occupying the hall. In 2002 two of our members, Deacon Russell Freeman and Sister Aldine Coleman and Pastor Donald Turner filed a lawsuit on behalf of the church stating that West Mifflin discriminated against us by not allowing us to occupy the hall. In December 2002 West Mifflin gives us the occupancy permit for the ministry hall. April 2003 we dedicated the Second Baptist Ministry Hall with an afternoon service, preached by Rev William C Callaway. Much publicity was given to the discrimination lawsuit because the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) took our case. With our dedication service came much media, television, and newspaper coverage. We now use our ministry hall for afternoon services, special occasions, Bible Study and the celebration of our 100th Anniversary.
In 1996 computer classes began in our church. The Weed and Seed Program, a program to improve the public safety of the Homestead community encouraged organizations within this community to apply for grants to purchase computers and computer equipment. Brother Bryan Tippett and Sister Aldine Coleman wrote the grant and the church received four new computers and all of the equipment needed to begin a computer lab. Classes began with church members first and then were extended to community members too. These classes are still offered today with Sister Rhonda Wood and Minister Ralphina Coleman as our teachers.
In addition, Pastor Turner started the singles ministry for single adults to fellowship with other singles, to encourage other single adults and to praise God for their singleness.
Our visionary Pastor Turner changed the name of auxiliaries (organizations) to ministries. His thought was that God wants his church organizations to minister to the needs of His people; therefore, we no longer have auxiliaries but ministries. Because our ministry fellowship services were so poorly attended on Sunday afternoons, 1998 was the beginning of one Ministry Day. This is a day for all of our ministries to fellowship and to participate in a worship service. Not only is this a fellowship for our ministries, it is also a day for all of our ministries to benefit financially. The third Sunday in May is designated as Ministry Day.
Also, during the 1990s, the Buddy Fellowship was created. The purpose is to introduce new members of the church to a “buddy” who will share information about our church ministries, introduce them to other church members and to help keep them active within our church family. These buddies are introduced on the day the new member gets the right hand of fellowship.
In 1999 Deacon Harvey Freeman and Sister Dorothy Lance were recognized for their committed and loyal service as Sunday School Superintendents. Deacon Freeman served for 29 years as the Superintendent of the Sunday School and Sister Lance served for 23 years as the Superintendent of the Primary Department.
Second Baptist continues to be active in the Allegheny Union Baptist Association. From 1988-1992 Sister Louise Franklin, president of the J D Morton Missionary was President of the Women’s Ministry of the AUBA. Pastor Turner was the Moderator of the AUBA from 1998-2002. Minister Helen Hill served as President of the Singles Ministry from 2000-2004. Deacon Linzy Snead is beginning his tenure as President of the Laymen of the AUBA and will be in office from 2004-2008.
In 2001 we celebrated Reverend Donald Turner’s thirty years as Pastor. Our celebration included a revival with Reverend Johnny Ray Youngblood, Pastor of St. Paul Community Baptist Church Brooklyn, NY, for the week, and a banquet with 300 guests at the Radisson Hotel in Monroeville with Reverend William Curtis, Pastor of Mt Ararat Baptist Church delivering the main message.
With the beginning of a new century, Pastor Turner was given the vision of “New Men for the New Millennium.” Thus, he begins a men’s fellowship Bible Study on Friday nights. The study is not limited to Second Baptist men, but to any man who wants to study God’s Word and to be a Fisher of men.
The Sickle Cell Society at their Ninth Recognition Dinner honored Reverend Turner in February 2004 for his commitment to support and raise funds for the continued research of this devastating blood disease. Many of the Second Baptist Church family were there to witness and support this well deserved honor for Pastor Turner.
At our 100 year celebration we had these ministries: Trinity Mass Choir, Gospelites Choir, Sunbeam Band, Sunday School, Pastor’s Aide, J D Morton Missionary, Senior and Junior Usher Board, Nurses Corps, Singles Ministry and Laymen’s League. In 2009 we no longer have the Sunbeam Band nor do we have the Singles Ministry.
With the changes in our society and community today, many of our youth were no longer attending our Sunbeam Band fellowship. It was the vision of one of our young Associate Ministers, Minister Charles Hill to create a youth ministry for our young people ages 5-17. These young people meet in a newly designed and recently dedicated third floor sanctuary on the third and fourth Sundays and on the occasional fifth Sundays. There is a committed staff that has the desire to make a difference in the lives of young people. Since the inception of this ministry we have seen a number of young people express their salvation. The youth ministry averages 40-50 children each Sunday.
Since 2003 our church has licensed several more ministers: Minister Michael Peterson, Minister Charles Hill, Minister William Hill, Jr, Minister John Burwell, and Minister Carla Huggins-Boyd.
Second Baptist has lost many members over the years, but this year we suffered a great loss and that was Deacon Russell Freeman, Chairman of our Deacons and the Joint Church Board. In spite of this tremendous loss, we continue to add to our Ministry. This year we added 20 new members.
We also made some cosmetic changes to our sanctuary. We painted, added new carpeting, and added a new communication system.
The Lord continues to watch over Second Baptist as well as bless us for 105 years of existence. And, we know that He will continue to watch over us until that glorious day when Jesus Christ returns. “Not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together, as the manner of some is but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)