Redeem Baptist Church

Journey with me to 1966. Imagine a vision ignited in the hearts of Reverend Joseph T. Kirkland and nine others. They dreamt of a sanctuary, a place for worship and community, right here at what would become Redeem Baptist Church. Their vision was to create a place that nurtured the total life of a man, spiritually, morally, educationally, socially, economically, and politically, as taught by Jesus Christ. Redeem Baptist Church, originally named Church of the Redeemer (Baptist), stood proudly at the corner of 24th and Dickinson Street for an impressive 53 years. Reverend Kirkland, the founder and first pastor, led his congregation faithfully for sixteen years until his passing in 1982. Redeem Baptist Church has seen remarkable growth and transformation over the years. Its membership blossomed from a modest 177 to over 1,950. This expansion led to the acquisition of an entire city block, from 2500 Dickinson to 2500 Reed Streets, securing the church’s future growth. Redeem Baptist Church didn’t just grow in numbers, it grew in its service to the community. The church has initiated over 45 ministries. It established the Redeemer Christian Life & Education Center, a testament to its commitment to community activities and Christian education. It also launched the Redeemer Institute for Christian Education (R.I.C.E.), an ETA-certified biblical institution. Redeem Baptist Church’s impact extended beyond its walls. The church has implemented summer programs for youth. It has procured and renovated homes for families in need. It even established the Redeemer Federal Credit Union to support its members’ financial needs. Redeem Baptist Church also partnered with local organizations like the Nationalities Services Center and the PA Horticultural Society to create community gardens on the church’s property. It has a food pantry. You need a voucher from State Representative Jordan Harris to use the food pantry. It requires proof of address and ID. The pantry is open Monday and Thursday mornings.