Greater Morning Star Baptist Church

In 1893, a small group of devout Christians in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, felt a divine calling. They established the Morning Star Baptist Church. Their goal was simple: to worship God according to the teachings of the Bible. Greater Morning Star Baptist Church traces its roots back to this humble beginning. The church’s first leaders included Rev. Washington M. Taylor, the founding pastor, and dedicated members like George Variste, Esau Brandon, and Anthony Wilson. They formed the church’s first Board of Managers. Deacons Dunk Duplantier and John Martin, along with Deaconesses Julia Bassett, Joanna Gray, Nancy Palmer, and Molly Stokes, provided spiritual guidance to the growing congregation. Education was also a priority for the founders of Greater Morning Star Baptist Church. They established the “Morning Star Baptist Church School of East Baton Rouge” to nurture the minds and spirits of their children. After Rev. Taylor’s passing in 1931, Rev. Louis Severan became the second pastor. He led the church for many years, overseeing the formation of its first Usher Board in 1939. Upon Rev. Severan’s death in 1947, Rev. Albert Parker took the helm, establishing the first church choir. A decade later, due to health reasons, Rev. Parker stepped down, and Rev. David Brandon served as interim pastor. In 1957, Rev. Wilbert Jackson became the fourth pastor of Morning Star Baptist Church. During his leadership, the church appointed new deacons and deaconesses. Several important ministries were also established, including the Pastor’s Aid, organized by Sister Virginia Carter, and the Home Mission, led by First Lady Josie Jackson. A significant change occurred in 1977 when the church’s name officially changed to Greater Morning Star Baptist Church. This reflected the growth and expansion of the congregation. The Board of Managers at that time included dedicated members like Frank Brigham, R.D. Hamilton, Donald Jackson, and several others. Due to declining health, Rev. Jackson became Pastor Emeritus in 1984 and appointed Rev. Charles L. Burris, Sr. as Acting Pastor. Later that year, the congregation elected Rev. Burris as their fifth pastor. Under Rev. Burris’s guidance, Greater Morning Star Baptist Church experienced significant spiritual, financial, and numerical growth. In 2005, recognizing the need for a larger space, the church sold its property at 7480 Highland Road, preserving its historic cemetery. A new sanctuary was built on a 3.25-acre plot at 1002 Mavis Drive. The first service in this new building was held in August 2006. Rev. Burris served faithfully until his passing in 2009. In 2010, Rev. Charles Lee Burris, Jr. became the sixth pastor of Greater Morning Star Baptist Church. He has continued the church’s legacy of service and spiritual growth, establishing new ministries like the Men’s and Boys’ Ministry and the Sick and Shut-In Ministry, while also updating the church’s constitution and by-laws. Today, Greater Morning Star Baptist Church stands as a testament to the faith and dedication of its founders and the continued leadership of its pastors throughout the years.