“How did this all begin?” someone asks about Israel Baptist Church. In 1916, it started with a prayer band. They met in different homes.
On April 27, 1918, they called Rev. A. B. Fort as their first pastor. Later that year, they bought a small house for their sanctuary. It was at 13 Daniel Street. Mrs. Mary Ficklin sold it to them. The down payment was only 100 dollars. They paid 10 dollars a month with 7% interest.
The inaugural members included Sisters Nora Banks, Mary Kay, and Gussie Gaither. Sister Anna Sumpter was also among them. Deacons William Blair, David Fort, and Albert Mackey were some of the first deacons. Lamsol Irby and Deacon Lee Hall also served.
Under Rev. Fort, Israel Baptist Church joined the Building Convention Organization. Shady Grove Baptist Church and Piney Grove Baptist Church were also part of it. Mt. Nebo Baptist Church and Stardust Baptist Church were members too. They met at each church to fellowship. The funds raised went to the host church’s building fund.
Rev. Fort organized a Sunday School Department. He also started a Baptist Young Peoples Union. Wednesday Night prayer services and revivals were also organized. On December 12, 1925, Israel Baptist Church was reorganized. Rev. J. S. Walker became the pastor.
On January 6, 1926, Israel held its first convention. It was next door to 13 Daniel Street. The convention took place in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Orange Lewis. Israel paid them 1 dollar a week for rent. They also paid 25 cents each meeting for coal. By February 24, 1926, the church grew. Membership increased from 9 to 60 members. Rev. Walker expanded the Board of Trustees and Officers. Sister Caroline Sumpter Williams was installed as Church Clerk at age 12. She had served in that capacity since age 9.
Rev. Walker initiated the Willing Workers. He also started the Busy Bee and Progressive Club. The Volunteer Club was created too. These became the first auxiliaries of Israel Baptist Church. In 1926, the Finance Committee reported a total of 684 dollars and 62 cents. After expenses, 18 dollars and 14 cents went to the church treasury. On July 1, 1928, Rev. Walker resigned as pastor.
Rev. J. J. Gresham was called on July 31, 1928. On May 26, 1929, the Board of Deacons was expanded. Brother Mead Johnson became the Board’s 1st Chairman. He served for 43 years. On January 15, 1939, Rev. Gresham passed away.
In 1940, Rev. C. S. Jackson became pastor. He served until his retirement in 1962. Under Rev. Jackson, Israel Baptist Church expanded its facilities. They purchased new pews and a piano. Membership rose from a little more than 60 to around 200.
In 1964, Rev. William Smith became the pastor of Israel Baptist Church. Under his leadership, membership grew rapidly. It went from 200 to 400 members. The church at 13 Daniel Street was destroyed by fire. Services were held at a vacant church. It was formerly Turner Monumental.
In November 1964, Israel Baptist Church bought a facility at 110 Howard Street. With the increase in membership, Rev. Smith expanded ministries. In 1972, Deacon Willie Lester became Chairman of the Deacon Board. He served until 1988.
On March 25, 1979, Israel Baptist Church moved to 2071 Boulevard Drive. It is now known as Hosea L. Williams Drive. The location was purchased from the Atlanta Board of Education. It was formerly Fountain Elementary School.
In 1988, Deacon Cecil Fitzpatrick became the 3rd Chairman of the Deacons Ministry. Israel Baptist Church’s membership grew to over 6000.
Rev. William Smith served as Pastor of Israel Baptist Church for 55 years. He retired in 2018. On May 5, 2020, Pastor Smith passed away. Currently, Rev. Dr. William Rollerson serves as the spiritual leader. Since November 1991, Dr. Rodney Jerome Howard, Sr., has faithfully led Israel Missionary Baptist Church. He is the fifth pastor to lead the congregation.