Listen up. Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church has a story that winds through faith and community. It is a story that began with a children’s ministry.
Back in 1957 Ms. Belushi and other mothers held a children’s ministry. They met in a storefront owned by Bessie Fentress. These mothers realized the area was perfect for youth ministries. They did not want it to diminish.
Rev. John L Railback was encouraged to form a church. The location would be at the children’s ministry. Rev. Railback along with seven other charter members sought to make this idea a reality.
Rev. Railback’s uncle helped find the group a pastor. He attended True Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Compton CA. Rev. Wade officially formed this missionary band into a church. Rev. John L. Railback was the pastor.
At a meeting in Samuel and Louellen Railback’s home the group accepted Mother Duell’s recommendation. The name became Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church.
As a church Rose of Sharon elected their first officers. Rev. John L. Railback was the Pastor. Bernice Haymond was Church Clerk and Secretary. Louellen Railback became President of the Mission Society. Samuel Railback was Deacon Treasurer and Trustee Board Member. Purdy Lowe became Chairman of the Trustee Board and Sunday School Superintendent.
In 1958 other members joined Rose of Sharon. These included deacons Dan Young and Archie Dunning. Marie Edmond took over as Church Clerk. Lizzie Dunning became a deaconess. The church also gained Mother Fannie Moore Lottie Hall and Viola Young. Smith and Pinkie Monie also joined. The church welcomed Mother Braxton Theodore Tibbs Leon Hobbs and Joyce Johnson. Joseph Johnson June Lowe McClendon and Taylor McClendon were new members too.
The church established a building fund committee a choir and the Young Women’s League. Later that year Pastor Railback married Hattie Jean Higgins Robertson.
In 1962 Rose of Sharon purchased its building. The owner of the storefront was selling it. Rev. Railback and the church raised money for the down payment. The building was renovated into a church. Services continued during construction.
In 1965 Rose of Sharon joined the National Baptist Convention USA Inc. This helped broaden its work in the community and the world.
Rose of Sharon purchased the adjacent four-unit apartment building. They also bought a vacant lot and the house next door. The church sold the vacant lot to raise funds. This helped them renovate the church buildings.
The apartment building housed Sunday School classes offices a kitchen and the Pastor’s study. The house held Sunday school classes and Children’s church.
In 1988 the church joined the Southern Baptist Convention. This continued its goal of building Christ’s kingdom.
For over 60 years Rose of Sharon has ministered to the heartbroken friendless and weary. It has been an evangelistic church adding souls to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Over 500 members have passed through its doors. Twenty ministers have served as assistant pastors.
Today Rose of Sharon stands as a testament to faith. It stands as a testament to perseverance and community. The church continues the work it set out to do in 1957. It carries out the commission of evangelism.
Moreover Dr. Elmo Johnson has been Pastor for 40 years. The church is in Houston’s Historic 4th Ward. Dr. Johnson directs Uplift 4th Ward. He built over 100 homes for low-income residents. He also built an apartment complex for senior citizens and Veterans.
Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church is a beacon of hope. It is a testament to the power of faith and community.