Here, at 9611 E Forest Ave, stands Detroit Mount Neby Missionary Church. Detroit Mount Neby Missionary Church is a beacon of faith in this community. Founded in 2003 Detroit Mount Neby Missionary Church is relatively young. Yet it is vibrant and full of purpose.
Detroit Mt Neby Missionary Church serves the Detroit area. It also reaches St. Jean and Lower East Detroit. The church is a Baptist church. It is part of a long tradition of Baptist congregations in Detroit.
Baptist churches have a rich history here. The First Baptist Church of Detroit formed in 1827. Many early members were black. Detroit was a key stop on the Underground Railroad. Ex-slaves were drawn to the Baptist Church.
In 1836, thirteen members started their own church. It became Second Baptist Church of Detroit. It was Michigan’s first African American church.
Other churches followed. Mount Beulah Baptist Church became important. It was hard for African Americans in Ferndale to reach. They had to cross Eight Mile Road.
In 1924, some Mount Beulah members started a new church. It was first called Mount Lebanon Baptist Church. Later, it became First Baptist Church.
First Baptist Church grew under Reverend Theodore Williams. But he left in 1935. He started Berean Tabernacle.
Reverend Samuel Pyles rebuilt First Baptist Church. He died before finishing. Reverend Sandy Gibson completed his term.
Reverend Charles B. Heath became pastor in 1939. He finished Reverend Pyles’ work. There were two First Baptist Churches in Detroit. So, in 1945, it became New Prospect Baptist Church.
New Prospect grew too large for its building. Reverend Heath wanted to buy a theater. The members did not support it.
In 1953, the church enlarged its building. Reverend Heath found a new building. It was on Pembroke and Stoepel.
Reverend Heath died in 1967. Reverend James Kinchen served briefly. Then, Reverend Dr. Samuel Leon Whitney became pastor.
He expanded the church. They paid off the mortgage. They bought three houses. The fellowship hall was named after C.B. Heath.
The church became New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church. A new sanctuary was built. It had a baptism pool. It also had a new fellowship hall. There was new audio equipment.
Reverend Whitney died in 1990. His son, Reverend Dr. Keith L. Whitney, led until 1996. He served in South Africa for Nelson Mandela’s election.
Reverend Randolph F. Henlon was interim pastor. Reverend Dr. Wilma R. Johnson became senior pastor in 1999. She focused on unity.
She added classrooms, offices, and a chapel. She served for 17 years. She died in 2016.
The pastoral staff kept the church thriving. Reverend Carnel Richardson and others led. In 2024, Reverend Dr. Craig Ester became Lead Pastoral Minister.
Detroit Mt Neby Missionary Church continues this legacy. Though younger than these historic churches, it shares their spirit. It offers faith and community. It provides a place for worship and service.
The phone number for Detroit Mt Neby Missionary Church is 313-925-0918. It is always here for you.