Mt Sinai Baptist Church

Did you ever hear of a church that survived two fires and still kept its spirit alive? This is Mt Sinai Baptist Church. It’s a story of resilience. Mt Sinai Baptist Church has a history spanning over a century. The church’s journey started in 1904. It has been a beacon in the community, offering solace and strength through the country’s changing times. Mt Sinai Baptist Church has seen struggles, community challenges, and political turmoil. It has weathered these storms, holding steadfast to its faith. The church has occupied two locations, the first on Ashland Avenue. Its current location has undergone multiple renovations. These renovations even displaced the congregation. Yet, the members remained dedicated. Under the leadership of Reverend J.R. Butler, the church thrived both spiritually and financially. Rev. Butler assembled a strong ministerial staff. He also guided the church to become active members of the NAACP. Following Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of non-violent resistance, many of Mt Sinai’s youth participated in the Civil Rights Movement. They joined freedom bus rides, sit-ins, and picket lines. One of the church’s inspiring pastors, Rev. Brown, established the “Voices of Sinai” mass choir. This choir recorded a live album, “You Better Be Ready,” in 1979. More recently, in 2017, a devastating fire ripped through Mt Sinai Baptist Church. The fire caused significant damage. The congregation had to worship in various locations, including Ebenezer Baptist, Memorial and New Zion Baptist churches, and even the Johnson Square School. The William C. March Funeral Home graciously opened its sanctuary to the church from 2018 to 2020. The church faced yet another fire in 2020, damaging the roof and main sanctuary. Despite these setbacks, Mt Sinai Baptist Church continues to persevere. Its spirit remains unbroken.