“Looking for churches?” Rev. Willa S. Mines asked herself one Sunday in 1970. That day, she found the Concord Baptist Church.
The Concord Baptist Church has a rich history. Its story mirrors other churches founded by African Americans. These people migrated north from the southern United States. In 1916, sixteen Christian believers gathered. They met for prayer in Sister Lydia Glover’s home. Her home was at 14 Northfield Street in Boston.
These individuals wanted to serve God. They followed Biblical principles and Christian teachings. The group grew quickly. It soon became clear that they needed a larger place to worship. This need led to the creation of the Concord Baptist Church of Boston. Today, the Concord Baptist Church is located in Milton, Massachusetts.
The Concord Baptist Church has three main goals. First, it proclaims Jesus Christ as Lord. It shares His message of hope. Second, it helps people reconnect with God. It wants people to have the relationship with God that was originally intended. Third, it empowers God’s people. It does this through discipleship and fellowship. It also proclaims the Word. The church fosters Christian formation and social responsibility.
The Concord Baptist Church strives to exemplify Jesus Christ’s life and teachings. It aims to be an inviting church. It wants to be a place where all feel welcome. Concord is a Word-affirming church. Its teachings are based on the Bible. The church empowers people through the Holy Spirit. It is also a discipling church. It seeks reconciliation and liberation for all.
Since its founding, the Concord Baptist Church has been led by six pastors. The Reverend William Dabbs served from 1920 to 1936. The Reverend Arthur J. Spratley followed from 1938 to 1961. The Reverend Charles G. Adams led from 1962 to 1969. The Reverend James Coleman served from 1970 to 1981. The Reverend Owen Cardwell was pastor from 1983 to 1986. The Reverend Dr. Conley Hughes, Jr. has served from 1988 to the present.
Rev. Mines felt at home in the Concord Baptist Church. “It reminded me of the South,” she said. “It reminded me of home.” The Concord Baptist Church in the South End was home for Rev. Mines and its members.
But in 2011, the congregation outgrew their space. They had to move to Milton, Massachusetts. One reason for the move was a lack of parking. Rev. Mines now walks by what was once her church. She feels grief. The doors that were once open for service are now open for residents. Nine new luxury condos occupy the former church.
According to a history published by the church, 16 people gathered for prayer in 1916. They realized they needed a more established place. At first, the Concord Baptist Church occupied a building in West Roxbury. Soon, it grew big enough to move to the South End. In 1946, the church moved to the corner of Warren Avenue and West Brookline Street. The building dated to 1869.
“In 1945, the building became available,” said Conley Hughes. He is the Reverend of Concord Baptist Church. “By that time, the church had grown. We needed a large building. To move to that building was a great move. It was a building that met our needs.”
But by the end of the century, the church outgrew the space. It could no longer accommodate the congregation. “Our facility was not large enough,” said Hughes. “The neighborhood has changed. We needed to be in a different place. We could continue to carry out the mission of the church.”
Lack of parking became a big problem. “I remember they allowed us to park in the middle of the street,” said Tammy Texeria. “They weren’t giving out tickets.” But parking was only allowed during services. Parishioners had to rush to move their cars. They risked getting a ticket if they were late. “You had to be out of church. You had to move your car by a certain time,” said Texeria. “The neighbors just were not friendly anymore.”
The church’s Executive Council decided to move. “We began thinking about our future in 2003,” said Rev. Hughes. “For three years, we had meetings.” “We prayed about the move,” said Rev. Hughes. “It was a near unanimous decision. We would sell the building and look for another site.”
In 2011, after years of fundraising, the Concord Baptist Church moved to Milton. The new building had belonged to a Jewish temple. It was 22000 square feet and needed little renovation. The church continues its mission in its new location. It remains an inviting and empowering community.