CHURCH HISTORY
JOHNSON CHAPEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY: 1886-2023
137 YEARS
Compiled by: Mother Corine Hunter Winstead & Deacon Henry Lindsey
Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church originated in 1886 in a house located on Railroad Street, in Elm City, NC, with a group of missionaries and Reverend Crooms who were conducting prayer meetings. This group comprised of the officers and their families: Brother Tom Drake and wife; Brother Levi Lovette and wife (relatives of Deacons Governor Winstead and Elisha Wells); Sister Bessie Winstead and family; Brother Charlie Hunter and Family Brother Ollyston Walters and wife, Kate Walters. Other early officers were: Deacons Robert Locus, Thomas Broadie and Andrew Parker; Clerk Sister Dolphus Wilcher, (cousin of Sister Callie Wilcher Hunter).
After the declaration of the church, the Pastor, Reverend Crooms, conducted a revival. Several families connected themselves with the church; they were Sister Belle and Sarah Lovette; Brother Dan Wells and family - other relatives of Deacons Elisha Wells and Governor Winstead. The membership grew until the house on Railroad Street was too small to accommodate the congregation. Reverend Crooms and his Christian followers bought a building located on West Wilson Street, Elm City, N.C., in the early nineteen hundreds, nearly 20 years after it was originated! The church services were conducted in this building for several years. Reverend Crooms served as pastor until his health failed and he passed.
Several ministers succeeded Reverend Crooms; one who served the church faithfully for many years named Rev. Johnson. Because of his faithfulness in the presence of the Lord and the church, the church was named in his honor: Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist. Other ministers that succeeded Reverend Johnson were Reverends Cheek; L. Williams; Thomas Ciels; Bill Tucker and Dunston. Rev John Watson became the pastor of Johnson Chapel in 1914 and served the church for thirty-four (34) years until his health failed. During Reverend Watson's administration, the church grew. It was moved from Wilson Street to West Main Street in Elm City, in 1922; where the church building still stands. A "T" addition was added to this building a few years later; however, in 1944, the "T" section was removed to widen the building to accommodate the increasing membership. A choir stand was built and the first choir with instrumental music was organized with the following officers: Sister Corine H. Winstead, President; Mother Flora Robbins, Vice-President; Sister Elma B. Chisel, Secretary; Deacon Elisha Wells, Treasurer.
In 1948, Reverend John Watson passed and Reverend. H. Hoskins was elected pastor after serving two years as assistant pastor during the illness of Reverend. John Watson. Reverend Hoskins served as pastor for four (4) years and was succeeded by Reverend. R. H. Johnson in 1954, who also served four (4) years. Some of the changes made during his term were: printed programs were adopted for the Church Services and Lord’s Supper Services. In 1958, Reverend Johnson resigned from the church and Reverend. B. J. Daniels was elected Pastor. Under his leadership many innovations took place. Among them were: 1) More members became involved in the services; 2) renovation of the church, (which included the installation of a new ceiling, windows, heating system, restrooms, pastor's lounge, kitchen and dining rooms, several ante-rooms); and in 1963, the Corner Store was laid. Officers of past history: Deacons: P.P. Lindsey, (father of Jesse Lindsey); James Robbins; Noah Dawson, Elisha Wells; Howard Joyner, Sr. (husband of the late Mother Bluma W. Joyner); Joe Roundtree; Jesse Lindsey; Johnny Parker, Governor Winsted; William Kelly; and Elvie Robbins. Other Mothers respectively; Lugenia Lindsey, (wife and mother of the late P.P. Lindsey and Jesse Lindsey, respectively); Christiana Coley, Flora Robbins, Jennie Dawson; Rosa Armstrong; Bluma Joyner. Later Clerks, Sister Bettie Hargrove, 25 years of service, Governor Winsted, (31 years of service). Secretaries: Financial - Elvie Robbins; Martha J. Isom; and Gloria Armstrong, Recording Secretary - Marjorie Battle. Treasurers: Andrew Parker; Thomas Broadie; Elisha Wells, 40 years of service.
Reverend Daniels remained a steadfast, wonderful pastor for over twenty-two, (22), years, until his illness set in, and an assistant pastor was elected to aid him in his service. The Reverend Jeff Davis was appointed. Reverend Davis left and Reverend Hezekiah Davis of Rocky Mount was selected to serve as the assistant pastor. Reverend James Barron who became the assistant to Reverend Daniels and succeeded him in 1977, when he was elected pastor and Reverend. Daniels was made "Pastor Emeritus". Reverend Barron was installed as Pastor on March 6, 1977.
During Reverend Barron's tenure, Johnson Chapel grew in membership and many improvements were made. Among the: 1) purchasing new carpet and new pews; 2) landscaping the church yard, (which includes pouring a concrete walkway); 3) enlarging the ladies' restroom; 4) rewiring the building; 5) installing new lights; 6) A wheelchair ramp was installed and 7) installing a new heating system with an air-conditioning unit. Deacons elected under Reverend Barron’s leadership were: Clayton Young, Bobby Young, Leslie Atkinson, and Tommie Wells. Mothers selected were: Patricia Simmons, Mary Young, Minnie Parker, and Annie Batts. Sister Gloria Armstrong served as Financial Secretary and Sister Marjorie Battle was the church clerk. Deacon Elvie Robbins was the church treasurer. Reverend Barron served Johnson Chapel faithfully for fourteen years.
Following Reverend Barron’s term of service Reverend Archie D. Logan, Jr., was called Pastor; he was installed December 20, 1992. During Pastor Logan’s pastorate a Trustee Board was created, several members were: Harry Wells, Gloria Armstrong, Marjorie Battle Jenkins and Greadly Davis. Reverend Ernest Barnes joined our church and became an Associate Minister. Other initiatives by Pastor Logan were: The formation of a Young Adult Usher Board, a new sound system was installed; a radio ministry was started; new officers elected Deacon John Inman and Deaconess Marie Wells. Reverend Logan also designated the Mother Board as church Deaconess to more define their spiritual duties. During his term as Pastor Reverend Logan received his Doctor of Education Degree, Ed.D. from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. The congregation grew and plans were put into motion to build a new church in the future.
Reverend Vernon Bryant succeeded Reverend Logan in July of 1995. Reverend Bryant began weekly Bible Study and organized a Gospel Choir. Pastor Bryant appointed three new deacons: Henry Lindsey, Linwood Battle and William Simmons. Also three new Deaconesses were selected to work in the church: Angela Battle, Marian Kelly and Martha Isom. He continued to promote the vision of a new church. In 1999 the church purchased land on 317 Beauvue Road for a new structure, which was built in 2001. The church relocated in November 2001. Reverend Bryant received his Honorary Doctorate Degree while serving as Pastor. Also during his term Deaconess Patricia Ann (Lucas) Simmons was ordained to the Gospel Ministry on June 1, 2003.
In August 2003 Reverend Dr. Archie D. Logan, Jr. a former Pastor of Johnson Chapel returned to work with the church as Supply Pastor. He was called to serve as Pastor for a second time in 2004. Dr. Logan created a ministry team: Reverend Dr. T. L. Barnes, Assistant Pastor; Reverend Larry Pitt, Minister of Music, Minister Patricia Parks-Taylor, Minister Geri Kidd-Brown, Minister Angela Hines, Minister Linda Johnson and Reverend Ernest Barnes, Minister to the Seniors to serve the church and community. Sister Delores Pack was elected Financial Secretary. Deaconess Mary Ann Young is serving as Missionary President and Deaconess Marie Wells is leading the Deaconess/Mothers Board. Deacon Henry Lindsey serves as Chairman of the Deacon Board and Church Board of Directors.
Dr. Logan added Deaconess Nellie Artis in 2004 and Deaconess Ruth Young in 2005 to the Deaconess Ministry.
Some of our past Trustee were Brother Fred Battle, Sister Rosa Lucas, Sister Deloris Pack, Brother James Isom and Brother Androcus Renfrow.
Deacon Cleveland Lewis and Deaconess Hazel Lewis united with the church in 2004 and shortly afterward were elected to the Deacon and Deaconess Ministry.
Also a Radio Broadcast Ministry was started weekly on WVOT AM, Wilson, NC at 12noon each Saturday; The Children’s Church and youth department was under the leadership of Sisters Marjorie Battle Jenkins and Angela Barnes. The church published a Newsletter, New Covenant. The paying off the paving of our church parking lot and outside beautification was completed in 2008. We also have a Youth Choir and Male Chorus. We have Advanced Bible Study and evening Bible Study each week. The Deacons have added the “Deacon Bobby Young Church Library” and the “Elvie Robbins Boardroom.” Trustee Androcus Renfrow, shared a vision with the church of a “VINEYARD.” Through hard work and sacrifice the Vineyard became a reality. New members Deacon and Deaconess Harold and Helen McEachin along with Sister Margaret Simon are leading our Friday Evening Prayer Ministry Team.
Deacons Cleveland Lewis, Deacon Henry Lindsey and the Men of JCMBC participate in the North Carolina name a Highway Program. The church has a Transportation Ministry. Also in 2008 Johnson Chapel launched an Evangelism Ministry under the leadership of Sister Helen McEachin to reach Elm City and vicinity.
Dr. Logan had a vision of forming a computer lab where the members of Johnson Chapel and the community could use for computer training. It was completed in March 2010 following his death.
On November 13, 2009 Dr. Logan was called home. Following the death of Dr. Logan the church was without a Pastor for many months. During this time several ministers came to preach the word and in June 2010 Rev. Melvin Hodges became our Interim Pastor. The Pulpit Committee search many months for a pastor and finally recommended two ministers for Pastor. On September 28, 2010 Rev. Dennis Brown was elected Pastor of Johnson Chapel. Pastor Brown is the 12th Pastor to serve at Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Brown served as Pastor until March 2011. From March until June we were without a Pastor and in July we elected Rev. Roderick Tillery, Sr. to serve as our Interim Pastor.
On December 16, 2011 Rev. Roderick Tillery, Sr. was elected to serve as Pastor of Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and On June 24, 2012 he was installed as the new Pastor. September 16, 2012, Deacon Roscoe Barnes and Deacon James Walston were ordinated to serve as deacons of the church.
The Deaconess had a vision to improve the Fellowship Hall. They put clothes on the tables and pictures on the walls to make it beautiful.
In the 2011 year, Johnson Chapel has added several new members to the fold, including Rev. Charlie Barnes as one of our Associate Ministers. We have instituted a new fellowship format that we are prayerful will make our visitors feel welcomed and loved.
In the year 2013 a Dance Ministry was added to our church ministry. We have also had several to unite with our church which included some young adults and children.
Deaconess Mary Young had a vision and in 2013 she presented this vision to the Missionary Ministry, after presenting this vision to the Missionary Ministry they agreed to present it to the church. The church agreed with the vision which was to put a mural in the sanctuary over the baptizing pool. With much thought and a lot of praying the vision came true in August of 2013. On August 22, 2013 Artist Louis S. Thomas III and Artist Frans Van Baars began working on the mural and on August 26, 2013 the mural was completed. We now have a masterpiece in our church that was contributed to the church by the Missionary Ministry that will be here for us to enjoy for many years at Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.
On August 10, 2014 we dedicated our church mural during our Missionary Anniversary.
Sister Elizabeth Barnes has been added to our Mother and Deaconess Ministry in 2015 and Deaconess Helen McEachin preached her intial sermon on January 18, 2015 and Minister Helen McEachin was added to our Ministerial Staff. To God be the Glory.
Our church has be blessed with several new members as we continue to spread the gospel throughout the community. Among our new members is Minister Derrick Murray who preached his intial sermon on April 10. 2016. Deacon Charles and Deaconess Claudelia Daniel were add to the Deacon and Deaconess Ministry in 2016. Minister Jacqueline Branch and Minister Terrace Settles were also added to Ministerial Staff of our church in 2016. God is continuing to bless us as a church and we give him thanks for being a part of our lives.
Trustee Gloria Armstrong has been elected the Chairperson of the Trustee Ministry. Present Trustees are Trustee Harry Wells, Trustee Marjorie Battle Jenkins, Trustee Androcus Renfrow, Trustee Marvin Vick, Trustee Richard Howard, Trustee Ernest Ward and Trustee Emeritus Greadly Davis.
The year 2017 has been a blessed year serveral new members united with the church. The Praise Warriors Praise Team are our present Dance Ministry, they won the Wilson County Baptist Missionary Union talent contest and represented in the Woman Baptist State Convention talent contest winning First Place in their category.
In the year 2018 God has blessed us with several new members including Deacon James Hicks. Minister Helen McEachin has been ordained and is now Rev. Helen McEachin. We have several Trustee added to our Trustee Ministry Trustee Alvin Isom, Trustee James Boyd and Trustee Augustus Cherry.
2019 was a blessed year for our church we have added several new members to our congregation include Rev. Joseph Young and Rev. Sonya Burston-Young. Minister Derrick Murphy and Minister Terrace Settles were ordained and are now Rev. Derrick Murphy and Rev. Terrace Settles. We have had some sad times several of our member passed but even with that we continue to praise God for all the blessing we have.
The year 2020 was a different kind of year but God has blessed us . Brother Frederick (Fred) Battle was added to our Trustee Ministry. We were blessed to pay off the mortgage on our church in February and on October 18, 2020 we had our mortgage burning celebration.
It has been a sad two years with several of our members passing away in 2020 and 2021 but God has continued to bless us in so many ways. With the blessing from God Pastor Roderick Tillery, Sr. cerebrates 10 years as the Leader of our church. We have had several to united with our church family including Rev. Ellis Cozart and a new member added to our Trustee Ministry Brother Winsor Pitt. We have made several improvements inside and outside the church. The improvement were removing the carpet in the Fellowship Hall, added new carpet in the church and we did some changes to the landscape. Many things have happened in the year 2021 but with the help of God will continue working to build the Kingdom of God.
The year 2022 God blessed us to celebrated 136 years as a church family, several of our members passed and a few members united to our church. We have a radio ministry on Saturday morning on 98.9 which we have had for several years.
In the year 2023 we celebrated 137 years as a church body, Pastor Roderick Tillery has been our Pastor for 12 years by the grace of God and we made a few improvements in our church building. We add a new roof to the church along with upgraded the air conditioner. Several new members have been added to our membership and several of our member passed include our oldest member at this time Sister Pearlie Mae Armstrong. We the help of God we will continue as a church family working to build the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
For the past One Hundred and Thirty seven years, Johnson Chapel has grown, but it still has work to do, and if this church is ever conquered for our Lord, it will not be by the ministers, officers, the great, the noble and mighty, but by every person of Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church being a working member, doing his or her work willingly, filling his own sphere, holding his own post, and saying to God, "Lord, what will Thou have me to do? We are excited and looking forward to working with Pastor Tillery in the continued Kingdom building of God.
WE ARE WORKING ON OUR COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY. IF YOU HAVE ANY HISTORY TO SHARE PLEASE WRITE or RECORD IT AND GIVE IT TO DEACON HENRY LINDSEY OR TRUSTEE MARJORIE JENKINS. WE NEED NAMES OF OFFICERS WHO HAVE SERVED AND MADE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHURCH. TRUSTEE MARJORIE JENKINS ADDS NEW INFORMATION TO OUR HISTORY EACH YEAR.
137 YEARS
Compiled by: Mother Corine Hunter Winstead & Deacon Henry Lindsey
Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church originated in 1886 in a house located on Railroad Street, in Elm City, NC, with a group of missionaries and Reverend Crooms who were conducting prayer meetings. This group comprised of the officers and their families: Brother Tom Drake and wife; Brother Levi Lovette and wife (relatives of Deacons Governor Winstead and Elisha Wells); Sister Bessie Winstead and family; Brother Charlie Hunter and Family Brother Ollyston Walters and wife, Kate Walters. Other early officers were: Deacons Robert Locus, Thomas Broadie and Andrew Parker; Clerk Sister Dolphus Wilcher, (cousin of Sister Callie Wilcher Hunter).
After the declaration of the church, the Pastor, Reverend Crooms, conducted a revival. Several families connected themselves with the church; they were Sister Belle and Sarah Lovette; Brother Dan Wells and family - other relatives of Deacons Elisha Wells and Governor Winstead. The membership grew until the house on Railroad Street was too small to accommodate the congregation. Reverend Crooms and his Christian followers bought a building located on West Wilson Street, Elm City, N.C., in the early nineteen hundreds, nearly 20 years after it was originated! The church services were conducted in this building for several years. Reverend Crooms served as pastor until his health failed and he passed.
Several ministers succeeded Reverend Crooms; one who served the church faithfully for many years named Rev. Johnson. Because of his faithfulness in the presence of the Lord and the church, the church was named in his honor: Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist. Other ministers that succeeded Reverend Johnson were Reverends Cheek; L. Williams; Thomas Ciels; Bill Tucker and Dunston. Rev John Watson became the pastor of Johnson Chapel in 1914 and served the church for thirty-four (34) years until his health failed. During Reverend Watson's administration, the church grew. It was moved from Wilson Street to West Main Street in Elm City, in 1922; where the church building still stands. A "T" addition was added to this building a few years later; however, in 1944, the "T" section was removed to widen the building to accommodate the increasing membership. A choir stand was built and the first choir with instrumental music was organized with the following officers: Sister Corine H. Winstead, President; Mother Flora Robbins, Vice-President; Sister Elma B. Chisel, Secretary; Deacon Elisha Wells, Treasurer.
In 1948, Reverend John Watson passed and Reverend. H. Hoskins was elected pastor after serving two years as assistant pastor during the illness of Reverend. John Watson. Reverend Hoskins served as pastor for four (4) years and was succeeded by Reverend. R. H. Johnson in 1954, who also served four (4) years. Some of the changes made during his term were: printed programs were adopted for the Church Services and Lord’s Supper Services. In 1958, Reverend Johnson resigned from the church and Reverend. B. J. Daniels was elected Pastor. Under his leadership many innovations took place. Among them were: 1) More members became involved in the services; 2) renovation of the church, (which included the installation of a new ceiling, windows, heating system, restrooms, pastor's lounge, kitchen and dining rooms, several ante-rooms); and in 1963, the Corner Store was laid. Officers of past history: Deacons: P.P. Lindsey, (father of Jesse Lindsey); James Robbins; Noah Dawson, Elisha Wells; Howard Joyner, Sr. (husband of the late Mother Bluma W. Joyner); Joe Roundtree; Jesse Lindsey; Johnny Parker, Governor Winsted; William Kelly; and Elvie Robbins. Other Mothers respectively; Lugenia Lindsey, (wife and mother of the late P.P. Lindsey and Jesse Lindsey, respectively); Christiana Coley, Flora Robbins, Jennie Dawson; Rosa Armstrong; Bluma Joyner. Later Clerks, Sister Bettie Hargrove, 25 years of service, Governor Winsted, (31 years of service). Secretaries: Financial - Elvie Robbins; Martha J. Isom; and Gloria Armstrong, Recording Secretary - Marjorie Battle. Treasurers: Andrew Parker; Thomas Broadie; Elisha Wells, 40 years of service.
Reverend Daniels remained a steadfast, wonderful pastor for over twenty-two, (22), years, until his illness set in, and an assistant pastor was elected to aid him in his service. The Reverend Jeff Davis was appointed. Reverend Davis left and Reverend Hezekiah Davis of Rocky Mount was selected to serve as the assistant pastor. Reverend James Barron who became the assistant to Reverend Daniels and succeeded him in 1977, when he was elected pastor and Reverend. Daniels was made "Pastor Emeritus". Reverend Barron was installed as Pastor on March 6, 1977.
During Reverend Barron's tenure, Johnson Chapel grew in membership and many improvements were made. Among the: 1) purchasing new carpet and new pews; 2) landscaping the church yard, (which includes pouring a concrete walkway); 3) enlarging the ladies' restroom; 4) rewiring the building; 5) installing new lights; 6) A wheelchair ramp was installed and 7) installing a new heating system with an air-conditioning unit. Deacons elected under Reverend Barron’s leadership were: Clayton Young, Bobby Young, Leslie Atkinson, and Tommie Wells. Mothers selected were: Patricia Simmons, Mary Young, Minnie Parker, and Annie Batts. Sister Gloria Armstrong served as Financial Secretary and Sister Marjorie Battle was the church clerk. Deacon Elvie Robbins was the church treasurer. Reverend Barron served Johnson Chapel faithfully for fourteen years.
Following Reverend Barron’s term of service Reverend Archie D. Logan, Jr., was called Pastor; he was installed December 20, 1992. During Pastor Logan’s pastorate a Trustee Board was created, several members were: Harry Wells, Gloria Armstrong, Marjorie Battle Jenkins and Greadly Davis. Reverend Ernest Barnes joined our church and became an Associate Minister. Other initiatives by Pastor Logan were: The formation of a Young Adult Usher Board, a new sound system was installed; a radio ministry was started; new officers elected Deacon John Inman and Deaconess Marie Wells. Reverend Logan also designated the Mother Board as church Deaconess to more define their spiritual duties. During his term as Pastor Reverend Logan received his Doctor of Education Degree, Ed.D. from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. The congregation grew and plans were put into motion to build a new church in the future.
Reverend Vernon Bryant succeeded Reverend Logan in July of 1995. Reverend Bryant began weekly Bible Study and organized a Gospel Choir. Pastor Bryant appointed three new deacons: Henry Lindsey, Linwood Battle and William Simmons. Also three new Deaconesses were selected to work in the church: Angela Battle, Marian Kelly and Martha Isom. He continued to promote the vision of a new church. In 1999 the church purchased land on 317 Beauvue Road for a new structure, which was built in 2001. The church relocated in November 2001. Reverend Bryant received his Honorary Doctorate Degree while serving as Pastor. Also during his term Deaconess Patricia Ann (Lucas) Simmons was ordained to the Gospel Ministry on June 1, 2003.
In August 2003 Reverend Dr. Archie D. Logan, Jr. a former Pastor of Johnson Chapel returned to work with the church as Supply Pastor. He was called to serve as Pastor for a second time in 2004. Dr. Logan created a ministry team: Reverend Dr. T. L. Barnes, Assistant Pastor; Reverend Larry Pitt, Minister of Music, Minister Patricia Parks-Taylor, Minister Geri Kidd-Brown, Minister Angela Hines, Minister Linda Johnson and Reverend Ernest Barnes, Minister to the Seniors to serve the church and community. Sister Delores Pack was elected Financial Secretary. Deaconess Mary Ann Young is serving as Missionary President and Deaconess Marie Wells is leading the Deaconess/Mothers Board. Deacon Henry Lindsey serves as Chairman of the Deacon Board and Church Board of Directors.
Dr. Logan added Deaconess Nellie Artis in 2004 and Deaconess Ruth Young in 2005 to the Deaconess Ministry.
Some of our past Trustee were Brother Fred Battle, Sister Rosa Lucas, Sister Deloris Pack, Brother James Isom and Brother Androcus Renfrow.
Deacon Cleveland Lewis and Deaconess Hazel Lewis united with the church in 2004 and shortly afterward were elected to the Deacon and Deaconess Ministry.
Also a Radio Broadcast Ministry was started weekly on WVOT AM, Wilson, NC at 12noon each Saturday; The Children’s Church and youth department was under the leadership of Sisters Marjorie Battle Jenkins and Angela Barnes. The church published a Newsletter, New Covenant. The paying off the paving of our church parking lot and outside beautification was completed in 2008. We also have a Youth Choir and Male Chorus. We have Advanced Bible Study and evening Bible Study each week. The Deacons have added the “Deacon Bobby Young Church Library” and the “Elvie Robbins Boardroom.” Trustee Androcus Renfrow, shared a vision with the church of a “VINEYARD.” Through hard work and sacrifice the Vineyard became a reality. New members Deacon and Deaconess Harold and Helen McEachin along with Sister Margaret Simon are leading our Friday Evening Prayer Ministry Team.
Deacons Cleveland Lewis, Deacon Henry Lindsey and the Men of JCMBC participate in the North Carolina name a Highway Program. The church has a Transportation Ministry. Also in 2008 Johnson Chapel launched an Evangelism Ministry under the leadership of Sister Helen McEachin to reach Elm City and vicinity.
Dr. Logan had a vision of forming a computer lab where the members of Johnson Chapel and the community could use for computer training. It was completed in March 2010 following his death.
On November 13, 2009 Dr. Logan was called home. Following the death of Dr. Logan the church was without a Pastor for many months. During this time several ministers came to preach the word and in June 2010 Rev. Melvin Hodges became our Interim Pastor. The Pulpit Committee search many months for a pastor and finally recommended two ministers for Pastor. On September 28, 2010 Rev. Dennis Brown was elected Pastor of Johnson Chapel. Pastor Brown is the 12th Pastor to serve at Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Brown served as Pastor until March 2011. From March until June we were without a Pastor and in July we elected Rev. Roderick Tillery, Sr. to serve as our Interim Pastor.
On December 16, 2011 Rev. Roderick Tillery, Sr. was elected to serve as Pastor of Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and On June 24, 2012 he was installed as the new Pastor. September 16, 2012, Deacon Roscoe Barnes and Deacon James Walston were ordinated to serve as deacons of the church.
The Deaconess had a vision to improve the Fellowship Hall. They put clothes on the tables and pictures on the walls to make it beautiful.
In the 2011 year, Johnson Chapel has added several new members to the fold, including Rev. Charlie Barnes as one of our Associate Ministers. We have instituted a new fellowship format that we are prayerful will make our visitors feel welcomed and loved.
In the year 2013 a Dance Ministry was added to our church ministry. We have also had several to unite with our church which included some young adults and children.
Deaconess Mary Young had a vision and in 2013 she presented this vision to the Missionary Ministry, after presenting this vision to the Missionary Ministry they agreed to present it to the church. The church agreed with the vision which was to put a mural in the sanctuary over the baptizing pool. With much thought and a lot of praying the vision came true in August of 2013. On August 22, 2013 Artist Louis S. Thomas III and Artist Frans Van Baars began working on the mural and on August 26, 2013 the mural was completed. We now have a masterpiece in our church that was contributed to the church by the Missionary Ministry that will be here for us to enjoy for many years at Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.
On August 10, 2014 we dedicated our church mural during our Missionary Anniversary.
Sister Elizabeth Barnes has been added to our Mother and Deaconess Ministry in 2015 and Deaconess Helen McEachin preached her intial sermon on January 18, 2015 and Minister Helen McEachin was added to our Ministerial Staff. To God be the Glory.
Our church has be blessed with several new members as we continue to spread the gospel throughout the community. Among our new members is Minister Derrick Murray who preached his intial sermon on April 10. 2016. Deacon Charles and Deaconess Claudelia Daniel were add to the Deacon and Deaconess Ministry in 2016. Minister Jacqueline Branch and Minister Terrace Settles were also added to Ministerial Staff of our church in 2016. God is continuing to bless us as a church and we give him thanks for being a part of our lives.
Trustee Gloria Armstrong has been elected the Chairperson of the Trustee Ministry. Present Trustees are Trustee Harry Wells, Trustee Marjorie Battle Jenkins, Trustee Androcus Renfrow, Trustee Marvin Vick, Trustee Richard Howard, Trustee Ernest Ward and Trustee Emeritus Greadly Davis.
The year 2017 has been a blessed year serveral new members united with the church. The Praise Warriors Praise Team are our present Dance Ministry, they won the Wilson County Baptist Missionary Union talent contest and represented in the Woman Baptist State Convention talent contest winning First Place in their category.
In the year 2018 God has blessed us with several new members including Deacon James Hicks. Minister Helen McEachin has been ordained and is now Rev. Helen McEachin. We have several Trustee added to our Trustee Ministry Trustee Alvin Isom, Trustee James Boyd and Trustee Augustus Cherry.
2019 was a blessed year for our church we have added several new members to our congregation include Rev. Joseph Young and Rev. Sonya Burston-Young. Minister Derrick Murphy and Minister Terrace Settles were ordained and are now Rev. Derrick Murphy and Rev. Terrace Settles. We have had some sad times several of our member passed but even with that we continue to praise God for all the blessing we have.
The year 2020 was a different kind of year but God has blessed us . Brother Frederick (Fred) Battle was added to our Trustee Ministry. We were blessed to pay off the mortgage on our church in February and on October 18, 2020 we had our mortgage burning celebration.
It has been a sad two years with several of our members passing away in 2020 and 2021 but God has continued to bless us in so many ways. With the blessing from God Pastor Roderick Tillery, Sr. cerebrates 10 years as the Leader of our church. We have had several to united with our church family including Rev. Ellis Cozart and a new member added to our Trustee Ministry Brother Winsor Pitt. We have made several improvements inside and outside the church. The improvement were removing the carpet in the Fellowship Hall, added new carpet in the church and we did some changes to the landscape. Many things have happened in the year 2021 but with the help of God will continue working to build the Kingdom of God.
The year 2022 God blessed us to celebrated 136 years as a church family, several of our members passed and a few members united to our church. We have a radio ministry on Saturday morning on 98.9 which we have had for several years.
In the year 2023 we celebrated 137 years as a church body, Pastor Roderick Tillery has been our Pastor for 12 years by the grace of God and we made a few improvements in our church building. We add a new roof to the church along with upgraded the air conditioner. Several new members have been added to our membership and several of our member passed include our oldest member at this time Sister Pearlie Mae Armstrong. We the help of God we will continue as a church family working to build the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
For the past One Hundred and Thirty seven years, Johnson Chapel has grown, but it still has work to do, and if this church is ever conquered for our Lord, it will not be by the ministers, officers, the great, the noble and mighty, but by every person of Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church being a working member, doing his or her work willingly, filling his own sphere, holding his own post, and saying to God, "Lord, what will Thou have me to do? We are excited and looking forward to working with Pastor Tillery in the continued Kingdom building of God.
WE ARE WORKING ON OUR COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY. IF YOU HAVE ANY HISTORY TO SHARE PLEASE WRITE or RECORD IT AND GIVE IT TO DEACON HENRY LINDSEY OR TRUSTEE MARJORIE JENKINS. WE NEED NAMES OF OFFICERS WHO HAVE SERVED AND MADE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHURCH. TRUSTEE MARJORIE JENKINS ADDS NEW INFORMATION TO OUR HISTORY EACH YEAR.