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Our Pastors of the Past....
Pastor James P. Fincher Pastor C. C. Sykes
Pastor Bennie Brogsdale
The Old Mount Vernon Avenue Baptist Church (Before New Construction!)
Progressive Baptist Church (presently Mount Vernon Avenue Missionary Baptist Church) was organized in the year 1957 by
Rev. James P. Fincher and Deacons Hardy, Long, Kimbrough, Showers and Adams. The congregation was then meeting in the
Pythian Building on Mount Vernon Avenue and later moved to 337 North 18th Street. Upon the death of Rev. Fincher in
February 1962, the church was without a pastor until June of that year at which time Rev. C. C. Sykes of Mount Vernon, Ohio
was called to shepherd the flock. During his pastorate many changes took place. New pews and a new piano were
purchased. The Sunday School and Baptist Training Union were reorganized. Pastor Sykes and his family availed
themselves to us. His wife and daughter were accomplished musicians and enhanced the music ministry with their abilities
to the glory of God. Having been notified that our church edifice would be demolished due to the erection of the Mount
Vernon Avenue Plaza, it was agreed that we purchase our present facility, and that we become Mount Vernon Avenue Baptist Church.
Even though Rev. Sykes was terminally ill, he was instrumental in securing funds and made sure that we would be able to worship
and maintain. Pastor E. A. Parham and the Trinity Baptist Church permitted us use of their education building for worship
until our present edifice was ready for occupancy. Due to the illness of Pastor Sykes, Rev. Bennie Brogsdale supplied
our pulpit from July 1976. Rev. Sykes went to be with the Lord on July 3, 1976, leaving us again without a pastor.
In July 1977 Rev. Bennie Brogsdale accepted the call to serve as Pastor.
During his pastorate the Lord blessed us with many accomplishments; among them were a public address system, central
air conditioning and a baptistry. We experienced numerical growth and property west of the church was purchased
with plans to expand. Bro. John Cooper was preparing to become ordained as a deacon when he acknowledged the call to preach.
Rev. Brogsdale's death, November 12, 1984, left us again without a Pastor. We were fortunate enough to have Rev. Henry
O. Leftridge to serve as supply minister. He was elected to serve as Pastor of Mount Vernon Avenue Baptist Church on
February 2, 1985. Led by the Holy Spirit, Pastor Leftridge realized quickly that our youth are not the church of tomorrow,
but the church of today, and seeing the need for our youth to be more involved, a children's choir was inaugurated in March
1985 and dedicated in June; the Junior Usher Board was organized in August and the Youth Department in September 1985.
On November 29-30, 1985, the church went on it's first Church Planning Retreat. In December 1985 nurses were dedicated
and capped after completing a First Aid Course, which was held for the first time here at the church. Under the direction
of the Holy Spirit Pastor Leftridge led the church into Phase I of our building expansion program, which entailed demolition
and clearing of land west of the church in preparation for an expanded facility. Erection of a multipurpose facility
was completed in February 1986 consisting of a fellowship hall, classrooms, office, nursing station, kitchen and chapel; kitchen
equipment, an organ, a deep freeze, tables and chairs were purchased and "Where the Son Shines" was adopted as our church
motto.
A state-of-the-art public address system was installed, a food pantry and "Project Share" (a program to feed
the hungry) was established, and the first female trustee was appointed. The Sunday School was expanded to include two
new classes and later reorganized to include five classes. On March 20, 1986, the first volume of "The Inner Circle" (a church
news letter was inaugurated); one deacon was added to the Deacon Ministry and choir robes were purchased. We were blessed
with a van for outreach ministry and a Leslie speaker was added to the church organ. In 1987 "Most Improved Woman of
the Year" and "Most Improved Man of the Year" awards were established and plaques are presented annually on Women's Day and
Men's Day. A delegation has attended the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, National Baptist Convention,
U.S.A., incorporated every year since 1992. We have also been represented at the state and district levels.
Numerous persons have been fellowshiped into the fold. A nursery has been added and furnished. The
sanctuary was carpeted and the fellowship hall paneled and painted. We have been blessed with a Hammond organ and a
computer. Speakers have been installed in the nursery, fellowship hall and the church office. The kitchen has
been furnished with new cabinets and stove. In January our feed the hungry program was extended to include Mondays and
Wednesdays, and a church van was purchased in May 1995.
Junior Matrons auxiliary was organized. On July 1, "The New Young Peoples Choir" was organized and
they debuted on July 2, 1995. By the grace of God the church is growing spiritually, numerically and financially.
We are negotiating for additional property for future expansion. In May of 1997 preliminary plans were unveiled for
the erection of a new sanctuary. Groundbreaking is anticipated in the fall of 2000. On February 7, 1999, Minister
Tyrone Lawes was examined and having successfully satisfied the requirements, was ordained to the Gospel Ministry with the
laying on of hands. On July 19th, 1998, Trustee Herman Bosley, Jr. preached hist initial sermon, adding to the number
of spiritual sons. A "Drill Team" ministry and a "Mime" ministry were inaugurated in 1999, and have generated much excitement
and enthusiasm. We were also blessed to have the fellowship hall air conditioned in 1999. On September 3, 2000,
a groundbreaking ceremony was held immediately following morning worship on the site of our proposed new addition. Our
first youth outdoor, outreach tent revival was held in September. Our first pictorial church directory was published
this year. In November of this year, we were blessed to acquire two additional parcels of land. The structure
on one of the parcels was razed, and a two story duplex on the other parcel has been preserved for income property.
In March of 2001 the Lord made a way for us to begin construction of a building addition consisting of a new sanctuary,
church office, pastors study, sound room, nursery, and dispensary.
In July of 2001 we were blessed to acquire another parcel of land to the west of
our existing property. We anticipate prayerfully that construction will begin this month. In September the first
annual Choir Concert took place with Greater Vision Baptist Church as our guests. On November 4, Minister Tyrone
Lawes was installed as pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church of Love and Faith. In November, at our annual church retreat,
it was decided that we would add Praise and Worship Leaders to our service. They made their debut in December, and have
greatly enhanced the worship experience. In January of 2003 our Pastor was elected President of the Baptist Pastors
Conference of Columbus and Vicinity. In June, 2003 Deacon Jesse Odom preached his initial sermon, acknowledged his call to
the Gospel Ministry, preached his initial sermon and was licensed, adding to the number of spiritual sons. In June of
2003 we marched into our New Addition!. To God Be the Glory
We are grateful to God for His manifold blessings. TO GOD BE THE GLORY...!
IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE LORD ON
OUR SIDE....!
We invite you to become a part of the church today and a piece of its history tomorrow.
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