Fulton Baptist Church

History of Fulton Baptist Church

 

 

A century of Worshipping, Witnessing and Serving a Mighty God

 

In the early twentieth century, a small group of faith-believers gathered in a home in northwest Baltimore, Maryland for prayer and praise.  From these humble beginnings, the seeds of the Fulton Baptist Church were planted.  For several months, the Rev. Fleet Veney kept this group together.  The group saw a need for a place to worship and a spiritual leader.

 

In 1940, the Reverend Dr. Samuel B. Ward was divinely called to lead this small band of Christian warriors.  Under his leadership, Fulton was formally named and incorporated.  The membership increased sizably and the financial status improved.

After Rev. Ward’s death, the torch was passed to the Rev. Meredith D. Willis, who ministered for several years.

Many ministries began to form throughout Fulton's development. In 1909 the Church Aid auxiliary was formed. It's objective was to aid in the spiritual and financial development of the church. It was responsible for functions such as fundraisers that furnished the church and meeting the needs of our sick and shut-in. We believe the Missionary Society was organized in 1920.  It is recognized as one of the groups receptive to Women Preachers.  The fifth Sunday of the month was the day for Missionary Programs.  The Missionary Society had served faithfully since it's inception.  It organized a Food Pantry and has supported the women’s Auxiliary of the United Baptist Missionary Convention of Maryland and the Baptist Aged Home.

 

In March 1927, The Rev. Benjamin Franklin Jackson took the leadership of Fulton and helped to give her a place of prominence in the inner circle of Baltimore’s Black Baptist Churches.  Being a visionary and an educator, Rev. Jackson proudly provided leadership training and management skills for parishioners.  A church building and an organ was purchased; an organist was hired to play for the several organized singing groups.

 

Through the years, several musical groups were organized.  Among them were a Junior Choir, a Young Adult Choir, a Senior Choir, a Gospel Chorus and Sanctuary Choir of Fulton.  The Sanctuary Choir now ministers during our services.  The Simon Specializers performed regularly at home and away.  In 1983, a group called, “The Voices of Fulton” originated shortly after our annual Women’s Day observance.  The group gave many performances with Mr. Leander Brown as the organist and Mrs. Mary Jones as the Coordinator of Music.

 

Early in the life of the Fulton Baptist Church, there were separate Male and Female Usher Boards.  About 1948, under the leadership of Rev. B. F. Jackson, the United Usher Board was organized.  The Board had flourished. It was  presided over and advised by Mrs. Marie Jackson who was appointed by Rev. Douglas Wilson.The Emergency Club of the Fulton Baptist Church was organized in 1939.  Its purpose was to involve new members in the ministries of the church and to give financial support.  The first president, Mrs. Beulah Banks served admirably for many years and welcomed a cross-section of the church into the fold, including men.  The group saw fit to replenish the church with new hymnals and on many occasions they helped the needy, the sick and shut-ins.

 

During the fourth and fifth decades, Fulton’s membership doubled.  The Deacons, the only officers of the church played a vital role in its religious and financial aspects.  Some, who were visible at most services were Deacons William Johnson, Grover Banks, Isaac Murphy, Malcolm Chamberlain, Joseph Pratt, and Leonard Gardner.  The wives of the Deacons were charged as their helpmates.  They were involved in the spiritual, financial and benevolent programs of Fulton.  The role of the Deaconess Board took on a special emphasis.  The Deaconess prepared the communion elements, accompanied their husbands to commune the shut-ins and were visible at the prayer services.

 

Reverend B. F. Jackson’s leadership enabled the Fulton Baptist Church to amass assets around $40,000, which enabled the church to be one of the first Black congregations to move to West North Avenue in Baltimore.  On June 20, 1948, members and friends jubilantly marched from Division Street to the new edifice on North Avenue. Sadness entered the fold when Rev. Jackson’s beloved wife, Georgia, an accomplished organist, pianist and directress of the Senior Choir, passed away.  Reverend Jackson later married Louise Hare of Charlotte, North Carolina, who ably assisted him in his pastoral duties.

 

Fulton continued to grow.

 

An important moment came on July 14, 1962, when Fulton was able to have “The Laying of the Cornerstone,” Fulton’s debt was paid off! Reverend Jackson’s illness left the pulpit open to supply ministers for a few years. In 1970, Fulton called Reverend Joseph B. Simon, who came not only as a pastor, but also as an administrator.  He reorganized the Sunday School as the Church School, and a Finance Committee was formed.  The Church office and two singing groups were formed.  A new order of service, which included the Young People’s and Children’s Periods was established. The Simon family supported this ministry.  During this period the Deaconess Board was reorganized to include Trustee’s Wives and other Ladies.  Guidelines were set for tenure of officers.

When Reverend Simon’s health began to fail, the official Board sought a supply pastor.  In October 1975, Reverend Douglas Wilson was called to Fulton.  As an educator and minister, he has led the Church into the new millennium.

 

However, during this period of growth, in March 1987, fire destroyed our beautiful edifice.  Only the building was destroyed, the hearts and spirit of the members were not.  We were blessed with the help of members and friends of sister churches in Baltimore, who generously provided time, energy, talent and finances to keep us above board.  Fulton members prayed and worked hard under the leadership of Reverend Wilson and officials. With God’s help, we survived.  During this period, we worshipped first at the Sharon Baptist Church with Rev. A.C.D. Vaughn and his members.  Eventually, upon the invitation of Dr. Calvin Burnett, President of the then Coppin State College, we worshipped in the James Weldon Johnson Auditorium.  We were there every Sunday for five years.

God continued to bless us.  Fulton members and friends persevered under the leadership of Rev. Wilson.  On September 13, 1992, Rev. Wilson and First Lady Carolyn Wilson, and the congregation marched into a beautiful new building on the site of the burned one.

From 1992 till 2002 had hit a plateau in its growth. With a change in the life of Rev. Wilson, namely his union with First Lady Alroy Wilson. In 2002, we welcomed into our Fulton family, First Lady Alroy Wilson.  Her warmth and sincerity was revealed in our fellowship as she welcomed the visitors on Sundays.

 

During the seven year period of 2002 - 2009, Fulton Baptist became stagnant and a few of its ministries and auxiliaries absolved. Amongst them were the Flower Circle, Willing Workers, Church Aid, Voices of Fulton and the Emergency Club shortly followed in 2012.

In August 2009 after 34 years of tireless services, Dr. Wilson retired. Thus Fulton was once again without a pastor. This branch of Zion went to the throne of grace and found help in her time of need. With much prayer, fasting and searching, on February 27, 2011 after a church-wide vote, Fulton Baptist church elected their sixth spiritual leader and pastor, the Reverend Julian Rivera.  The people voted but God ordained it to be so and sent us a true leader, teacher, visionary, pastor and friend. 

 

Pastor Rivera has come with a fresh anointing and God is breathing new life into Fulton again.  Under his pastorial leadership, outreach was revived and many new ministries began to be birthed. Many of the old ministries have undergone a revival, such as the Sanctuary and Men's Choirs. Because of the pastor's leadership and commitment to developing the Men of Fulton Baptist, the Men's Fellowship was created. Thus a men's bible study - "the Locker-room" was formed. The Youth, Women's and Kitchen ministries have experienced a revival. The Sunday School ministry has undergone a reformation and those who attend are growing by leaps and bounds. Having vision required embracing many forms of communication and such embrace has nurtured the development of our Drama ministry and our Mime ministry (which is awesome- Hallelujah). Fulton has served Thanksgiving dinners to our community, twice and we anticipate serving in this capacity for a third year. In the same spirit of food and service, Fulton has continuously engaged in SHARE, our food distribution program, serving not only Fulton but many elderly friends and family. Fulton engaged the community with various activities and investments from "prayer at the pump" to the acquisition of a park bench that was accomplished by the SAM or Special Activities Committee. There seems to be a spirit of revival permeating the hearts of Fulton. In that same spirit Fulton has been moving and flowing in line with its mission and vision statements. We have accomplished the food distribution premise and in honor of a past pillar Sis Clara Rice, Fulton's Clara Rice Computer Lab has been resurrected. There has been a rebirth to the music and sound in Fulton. The Praise Team Chorale has added to the reinvigorated worship that fills Fulton's sanctuary. The sounds of worship here have become so pivotal to the culture of Fulton that our visionary thought it prudent to deploy a Sound Auxiliary who now records Fulton's music and worship services.  We will continue to rejoice and praise God for His many blessings.  We are moving along during this century as a church that is still “Worshiping, Witnessing, and Servicing a Mighty God.”