Church History
In 1875, a small band of Christians met in the Old Brickyard, now known as Beecher Street in the home of Mrs. Nancy Geesley and decided to organize a church. The small group agreed to call the newly formed church Philadelphia Baptist Church. Sister Liza Wells was one of the members who opened her home for prayer meeting and Bible study. Rev. Jake Riggins was the first pastor and served faithfully until 1879. As the church membership grew, services were sometimes held in a brush arbor.
In 1879, Rev. E. L. White was called as the second pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church. Rev. White served until 1889 and under his leadership brothers Kyle Bridges, Ely Owens, and Dennis Starks were ordained as deacons. In 1883, the church made its land purchase as Cascade Avenue. After hard work and prayers, the first church building was completed in 1885.
In 1889, Rev. B. F. Porter was called as the third pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church. Rev. Porter served faithfully until 1896.
Rev. E. D. Maddox was the fourth pastor, and he served from 1896 until 1906.
Rev. Florence was the fifth pastor, and he served from 1906 until 1909.
Rev. Smith was the sixth pastor, and he served faithfully from 1909 until 1913.
In 1913, Rev. King J. Johnson was called as the seventh pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church. Rev. Johnson served until 1924 and under his leadership in 1919; the church membership purchased a parcel of land on what is now known as Philadelphia Street. Deacon J. B. Herring’s father, Deacon Bert Herring, and other men of the church began clearing the newly purchased land in 1922.
In 1924, Rev. King J. Johnson and the Philadelphia family moved to their new building on Philadelphia Street.
In the fall of 1924, Rev. H. O. Hood was installed as the eighth pastor, and he served faithfully until 1936. Under the leadership of Rev. Hood, the Mother’s Board was organized with Sister Fannie Latham as president. The Senior Usher Board was organized with Sister Hattie Wright as president. The Senior Choir was organized under Rev. Hood. In April 1936, a fire started in the small wooden schoolhouse and spread to the church; both buildings were destroyed. In the summer of 1936, Rev. Hood was called to another church. In August of 1936, a tent was erected and the Philadelphia family held their worship services there for about two years.
In December of 1936, Rev. Rosco S. Sims was called as the ninth pastor.
In the spring of 1938, the Philadelphia family began the rebuilding of their church. In the fall of 1938, the new church building was completed and the worship services were transferred to the main sanctuary.
In 1942, Rev. C. C. Reeves was called as the tenth pastor, and he served until 1946.
In the summer of 1946. Rev. P. L. Jones was called as the eleventh pastor. Under the leadership of Rev. Jones, the church purchased the old schoolhouse building from the county Board of Education for $3,000.00. Rev. Jones helped organize several other churches. The years of Rev. Jones’ ministry were very spiritual and productive. Rev. Otis Burnett served as the assistant pastor for a few years. During the last four years of Rev. Jones’ administration, Rev. W. W. Morris Sr. served as his assistant.
On December 31, 1965, Rev. W. W. Morris Sr. was called as the twelth pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church. Under the leadership of Rev. Morris, the church has grown.
Some of the accomplishments include: the new pews, central heating and air conditioning in the sanctuary and fellowship hall, new carpet, new organ, public address system (PA system) in sanctuary and fellowship hall, renovation of the fellowship hall, paving the parking lot, adding the new annex building, installing a budget/pledge system, BTU and Outreach, the W. W. Morris Sanctuary Choir, the Mass Choir, the Male Chorus, and the Youth Department. One of the greatest accomplishments during Rev. Morris’ tenure is the building of a brand new edifice that now stands to the left of the old sanctuary. Rev. Morris retired in December 2015, becoming Pastor Emiritus, while making way for a new pastor and a new era at PBC – ATL.
January 2017, Rev. Emory Arnold was installed as the thirteenth pastor of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Baptist Church is affiliated with several conventions, both locally and statewide. Each summer the Youth Department of the church and community are given the opportunity to attend Vacation Bible School. The main concerns of the pastor and church are spiritual growth and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. “People without a vision perish.” Prov. 28:18
