that the church obtained a Federal Insurance Loan to build the parsonage, the :first of its kind in the nation! Following the death of Rev. Roberson, the membership elected Rev., Dr. Anthony Robinson as pastor until February 6, 1959.
On November 5, 1960 it called the Rev., Dr. Booker T. Hopkins as pastor.
Under the pastorate of the late Rev., Dr. Booker T. Hopkins a new edifice was built, The church membership increased. Christian unity was realized. Indebtedness on the parsonage was paid off. All new kitchen equipment, Nursery School equipment, bus, van and a fellowship hall was erected. The sanctuary was completed in 1974 and the church's mortgage burning ceremony was held on August 2, 1992 well ahead of schedule. Scholarship Programs were established at Washtenaw Community College and Eastern Michigan University to further enhance education. After more than 34 years as pastor, Rev., Dr. B. T. Hopkins, Sr. was called into external rest on Sunday, January 22, 1995; his wife, Sis. Georgia Lee Hopkins made her transition on Sunday, August 9, 1992.
The membership elected Rev. Joseph Hopkins as pastor in October, 1995, Rev., Dr. Michael T. Williams in December, 1997, Rev., Dr. James H. Brooks, March, 2001 and Rev. Van C. Williams in September, 2009. Most recently the church has purchased three parcels of property to facilitate future growth. A computer lab has been added with Internet access along with a church library. Our future goal is, as in the past, to lift up Jesus Christ through the preaching of the gospel, evangelistic work, mission, personal testimony, teaching and training to the end that souls shall be saved and the Kingdom of God shall come. Second is now embarking on the next chapter of its history welcoming the Rev. Van C. Williams as its next pastor.
The church is currently engaged in a 12 month Transition Program, "Ready, Set, Go!" through which she will become properly positioned to do the work of the Ministry.
We dedicate ourselves and all things to the service of mankind and the glory of God.
Under the pastorate of the late Rev., Dr. Booker T. Hopkins a new edifice was built, The church membership increased. Christian unity was realized. Indebtedness on the parsonage was paid off. All new kitchen equipment, Nursery School equipment, bus, van and a fellowship hall was erected. The sanctuary was completed in 1974 and the church's mortgage burning ceremony was held on August 2, 1992 well ahead of schedule. Scholarship Programs were established at Washtenaw Community College and Eastern Michigan University to further enhance education. After more than 34 years as pastor, Rev., Dr. B. T. Hopkins, Sr. was called into external rest on Sunday, January 22, 1995; his wife, Sis. Georgia Lee Hopkins made her transition on Sunday, August 9, 1992.
The membership elected Rev. Joseph Hopkins as pastor in October, 1995, Rev., Dr. Michael T. Williams in December, 1997, Rev., Dr. James H. Brooks, March, 2001 and Rev. Van C. Williams in September, 2009. Most recently the church has purchased three parcels of property to facilitate future growth. A computer lab has been added with Internet access along with a church library. Our future goal is, as in the past, to lift up Jesus Christ through the preaching of the gospel, evangelistic work, mission, personal testimony, teaching and training to the end that souls shall be saved and the Kingdom of God shall come. Second is now embarking on the next chapter of its history welcoming the Rev. Van C. Williams as its next pastor.
The church is currently engaged in a 12 month Transition Program, "Ready, Set, Go!" through which she will become properly positioned to do the work of the Ministry.
We dedicate ourselves and all things to the service of mankind and the glory of God.
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Second Baptist Church began in the year of 1860 with a membership of eleven. Prior to this she worshipped with the First Baptist Church of Ypsilanti. The first meeting place was held in the old Presbyterian Church in back of Cleary College. A later location was on Babbitt Street between Park and Grove. A church with a seating capacity of three hundred was eventually erected on the corner of Hamilton and Catherine Streets. The plot of land on which the church now stand was deeded to the Second Baptist Church and their heirs forever by Charles Patterson and his wife, Ellen.
It was held in trust by the First Baptist Church Trustees and their successors until 1953, when for the purpose of building the church parsonage, it was transferred to the membership of Second Baptist Church. The records reveal that the following persons were elected to the :first clerk 1860 - Mr. D.P. Davis, Mr. C.D. Robbins, Assistant; Mrs. M. Archer, Financial Secretary; A.C. Dugan, Treasurer; E. Bow, Advisory Board; RH. Roberts, H. Archer, J. Etchinson, E. Roberson, H. Miller, Mrs. M. Morris, Mrs. E. Roper and Mrs. H. Richardson.
The church, from 1860 to 2007 has been pastored by 25 pastors some repeating twice and one three times. The pastors are as follows: (1) Rev. Henry Jacobs, (2)Elder Holt, (3)Elder Rickman, (4)Elder Carter, (5)Elder J.W. Brown, (6)Rev. W. Bromwell, (7)Elder William Johnson, (8)Rev. J.H. Miller, (9)Elder Stewart, (10)Elder Martin, (11)Elder Cromwell, (12)Elder Isabel, (13)Elder P.A. Woods, (14)Rev. J.D. Derrick, (15)Elder F.J. Walker, (16)Rev. F.A. Williams, (17)Rev. V.S. Cooper, (18)Rev. McCoo, (19)Rev. L.H. Boyd, (20)Rev. G.W. Carr, (21)Rev. Garther Roberson, Sr., (22)Rev. Anthony Robinson, (23)Rev. Booker T. Hopkins, Sr., (24)Rev. Joseph E. Hopkins, (25)Rev. Michael T. Williams, & (26)Rev. James H. Brooks, I.
During the twenty year period of Rev. Garther Roberson, Sr.'s pastorage, the present brick veneer parsonage replaced the old one. It was through the assistance of Mr. Amos Washington
It was held in trust by the First Baptist Church Trustees and their successors until 1953, when for the purpose of building the church parsonage, it was transferred to the membership of Second Baptist Church. The records reveal that the following persons were elected to the :first clerk 1860 - Mr. D.P. Davis, Mr. C.D. Robbins, Assistant; Mrs. M. Archer, Financial Secretary; A.C. Dugan, Treasurer; E. Bow, Advisory Board; RH. Roberts, H. Archer, J. Etchinson, E. Roberson, H. Miller, Mrs. M. Morris, Mrs. E. Roper and Mrs. H. Richardson.
The church, from 1860 to 2007 has been pastored by 25 pastors some repeating twice and one three times. The pastors are as follows: (1) Rev. Henry Jacobs, (2)Elder Holt, (3)Elder Rickman, (4)Elder Carter, (5)Elder J.W. Brown, (6)Rev. W. Bromwell, (7)Elder William Johnson, (8)Rev. J.H. Miller, (9)Elder Stewart, (10)Elder Martin, (11)Elder Cromwell, (12)Elder Isabel, (13)Elder P.A. Woods, (14)Rev. J.D. Derrick, (15)Elder F.J. Walker, (16)Rev. F.A. Williams, (17)Rev. V.S. Cooper, (18)Rev. McCoo, (19)Rev. L.H. Boyd, (20)Rev. G.W. Carr, (21)Rev. Garther Roberson, Sr., (22)Rev. Anthony Robinson, (23)Rev. Booker T. Hopkins, Sr., (24)Rev. Joseph E. Hopkins, (25)Rev. Michael T. Williams, & (26)Rev. James H. Brooks, I.
During the twenty year period of Rev. Garther Roberson, Sr.'s pastorage, the present brick veneer parsonage replaced the old one. It was through the assistance of Mr. Amos Washington
A BRIEF HISTORY OF SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH