Mount Hermon Baptist Church

In the heart of the Bronx, Mount Hermon Baptist Church has witnessed a rich tapestry of faith and community. Mount Hermon Baptist Church held its first service on a Sunday evening, March 28, 1950. The air was filled with the hymn “Go Preach My Gospel”. Reverend Joseph Henderson Jones, Sr. delivered a powerful sermon on “Implicit Faith” to a small but devoted group. The collection plate held a humble $21.00. The church officially organized a few months later, on June 16, 1950, under the guidance of Beulah Baptist Church. The church grew quickly. The first members, including Ruby Simmons, the first choir president, and Wilbia Carmichael, the Usher Board organizer, laid the foundation for a thriving community. Music filled the sanctuary from the beginning. Edna Stone’s fingers danced across the organ keys. Later, Adia Edwards continued the musical tradition. Mount Hermon Baptist Church soon needed more space. As the congregation grew, the church moved, eventually finding a home on 135th Street. It was here that Reverend Jones’ son, Benjamin Franklin Jones, joined after his service in the U.S. Army. He later followed his father’s footsteps into ministry, becoming Reverend B.F. Jones. Professor William H. Collins, Jr. arrived in 1960, shaping the church’s musical landscape. Under his leadership, the small choir blossomed into seven distinct ensembles. In 1969, Reverend Joseph Henderson Jones, Sr. passed away. His son, Reverend B.F. Jones, took up the mantle, guiding the church through a period of significant growth. The membership swelled to over 400, with a robust usher board, multiple choirs, and an outreach culinary ministry that touched countless lives. Reverend B.F. Jones led Mount Hermon Baptist Church until his death in 1991. The church then elected Reverend Ben Willie Watkins in 1992. He served for nine years, establishing the Special Events Committee and emphasizing Bible study. In 2003, Reverend Wenzell Phillip Jackson brought his passion for community engagement to Mount Hermon Baptist Church. He was instrumental in local initiatives. He played a crucial role in bringing a junior high school and the refurbishment of the High Bridge. Tragically, Pastor Jackson passed away in 2013. In 2014, Reverend Joseph J. Jones became the current pastor, continuing the legacy of faith and service at Mount Hermon Baptist Church. Through decades of change and growth, Mount Hermon Baptist Church remains a beacon of hope and spiritual growth in the Bronx community.