Franklin-Mobile-Calhoun County AlArchives Church Records.....Second Baptist Church Of Elgin Illinois Copyright Date October 15 1862 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Juanita Crear-Price jcrearprice@yahoo.com August 9, 2004, 12:40 am During the Civil War, on October 15, 1862, the Reverend Benjamin Thomas of the First Baptist Church brought to Elgin, Illinois about 125 slaves from plantations in Franklin County, Alabama. The slaves were mostly women and children, who had escaped from bondage by fleeing behind the Union Army lines. The refugees joined later by husbands, fathers and sons established the African American community of Elgin and later formed the nucleus of Second Baptist Church of Elgin. Worship first took the form of informal services of prayers and songs and was held at Trustee Arthur Newsome’s home – then located at 268 Ann Street. Second Baptist Church of Elgin was formally charted on December 2, 1866, with John Ford, Arthur Newsome and Peter Newsome serving as Trustees. The first church building was a frame structure on Center Street facing Barclay Park, at which time the Reverend R. M. Smith was the pastor. The church building was also used as a segregated “colored” school. In 1875 the church was destroyed by fire. After the fire, school and services were held in the City Hall until a new brick structure was erected. For many years the church also served as a meeting place and social center for the African American community. During this time only two of the original members were living, Mrs. Mary Wheeler and Mrs. Ann Bosley. The total membership was fifty-five. Newsome Park now rests on the site of Second Baptist’s first Church building. Newsome Park was named in honor of Trustees Arthur Newsome and Peter Newsome who were among the church organizers. Second Baptist’s first African American minister was Reverend Richard De Baptiste of Chicago, Illinois. Rev. De Baptiste served as pastor two or three years prior to his death in 1901. The first baptism ceremonies took place in the Fox River throughout the year. The Fox River was less than six bocks from the church and the members as a group would walk to the Fox River to observe the baptism. The climax of the baptism ceremonies was when the candidates were completely immersed in the cold flowing waters. In 1959, Viola Wheeler, bearing in mind that the church was growing in membership and that the building and its contents were rapidly depreciating, informed the church that the Church of the Nazarene, located at 280 Franklin Boulevard, was for sale. May 1, 1961, after struggling and much perseverance, the members of Second Baptist Church marched into their new house of worship on Franklin Boulevard. October 4, 1962, Reverend Theodore E. Bedford was called to pastor Second Baptist Church and under Pastor Bedford’s leadership the church thrived. The following events transpired as a result of his efforts:  November 21, 1984, Rev. Shirley A. Roberts was licensed to minister the gospel, and subsequently ordained on September 29, 1991. She became the first female minister in the history of the church, and the first African American female to be licensed and ordained in ministry in the City of Elgin.  August 19, 1990, the official street address for Second Baptist Church of Elgin Illinois became 1280 Summit Street, Elgin, Illinois, 60120. A Dedication Service was held during which time the members marched into their new edifice. Subsequently, with the move to Summit Street came a significant increase in membership and in ministries as God had promised Pastor Bedford.  In 1991, as the church’s 120th Anniversary was celebrated, commemorative vehicle stickers for the City of Elgin were printed. The stickers bore the picture of the church with the caption “Mighty As An Oak Tree,” symbolizing how the church had stood firm in faith and in its commitment to Christianity.  September 1996 Pastor Bedford authorized Juanita Crear-Price to create a church library. Crear-Price and two members Jackie Davis, Brenda William, worked tirelessly to purchase books, tapes, new papers and magazines to stock the library. January 1997 the Library was open and Crear-Price became the first Librarian/Historian in the history of the church. The Library is the first African American church library in the City of Elgin. December 31, 1998, after more than thirty-five years of dedicated service, Pastor Bedford retired. January 1, 1999, the honor of Pastor Emeritus was conferred upon him as he became the first Pastor Emeritus of the church on December 2, 2002. Pastor Bedford pasted over at the age of 93. After Pastor Bedford retired and according to the Church Constitution, the church leadership was passed to the Deacons Board. Deacon Mitchell Mc Cutchen served as Chairman of the Deacons Board. The Deacon Board and the Church elected a pastoral committee to conduct a search for a new pastor. January 23, 2000, an election was held and Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond, serving as one of the Associate Ministers, was elected. Rev. Edmond was installed as Pastor on February 20, 2000. Under Pastor Edmond’s leadership, the church experienced tremendous growth, numerically, financially, and, most importantly, spiritually. Listed are some of Pastor Edmond’s continuing achievements:  Formation of New Ministries  Installation of New Deacons  New fellowship with New St. John Baptist Church in Montgomery Alabama with bi- annual trips to Montgomery Alabama  The Church joined many Spiritual and Religious organizations including The National Amistad of America Research Center and Chicago Friends of the Amistad Research Center  May 2003, the Pastor formed a committee to research the possibility of adding a new addition to the church. Under the leadership of Randy Hodges, the research committee was successful. The new addition will be completed late 2005. Today, standing in the strength of God’s love and power, we thank Him for blessing Second Baptist Church of Elgin Illinois throughout the years. What were once bright lights of hope are now fulfilled promises, and the best is yet to come. We offer to Him the sacrifice of praise! Juanita Crear-Price Librarian/Historian Additional Comments: The Church will visit New St. John Baptist Church in Birminghan Alabama our sister church. The visit will thake place the third weekend in November 2004. We are trying to find our chur roots. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/franklin/churches/gbb67secondba.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 6.9 Kb