Second Missionary Baptist Church

Thirteen souls gathered in a humble home on Holly Street. It was January 13, 1971. This small group marked the birth of the Second Missionary Baptist Church of Oceanside. Their numbers quickly outgrew the Moore’s home. The fledgling church found its first building at 1442 Mission Avenue. Even this space proved too small as the congregation continued to expand. The Second Missionary Baptist Church found a new home at 629 South Cleveland Street on February 7, 1971. On March 17, 1971, the mission officially became a church. Reverend W.W. Wright, Sr. was chosen as its first pastor. The Second Missionary Baptist Church continued to grow. In 1973, they acquired a building at 1007 Tremont Street. Under Pastor Wright’s guidance, the church flourished. Many members went into ministry themselves, serving in pastor positions across the United States. Pastor Wright envisioned a new home for the church. Land on Mare Road was purchased in 1985. The deed, free and clear, was secured in 1988. The congregation rallied. The mortgage on the Tremont Street building was paid. A groundbreaking ceremony for their new sanctuary took place on September 7, 1997. The first service in the new building was held on Thanksgiving Day, 1998. Assistant Pastor Charles E. Price delivered the sermon, “The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving.” The building was officially dedicated on March 21, 1999. As the new millennium dawned, change was in the air. Reverend Charles E. Price, Sr. was chosen to lead the Second Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Wright became Pastor Emeritus. A retirement ceremony was held in August 2000. The cornerstone of the new building was blessed and placed. Pastor Price was officially installed on September 17, 2000. Under Pastor Price’s leadership, the church emphasized expository preaching and teaching. He encouraged learning sound doctrine and Bible study. Throughout its history, the Second Missionary Baptist Church has remained dedicated to its mission: “Reaching the Lost, Teaching the Saved, Reclaiming the Backslider.”