To be witnesses in word and deed to the saving and sanctifying power of Jesus, the Christ of God. This will be achieved by providing opportunities through the teaching, preaching, and worship events with a view towards making disciple-makers.
One
Strive to be an “open-door” church, actively reaching out and welcoming all persons.
Two
Give our best effort to create opportunities for service, outreach, and improvement in our community as well as in the global community of which we are a part.
Three
Model the body of Christ in our inclusiveness of the gifts of all persons and in our relationships with one another as a covenant community, as well as in our daily living.
It’s our vision to see all souls saved, set free, and delivered by the power of Jesus Christ, and for all to live in the fullness of God’s promise.
OUR HISTORY
Jerusalem Baptist Church History
God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.
Up out of slavery, the Negro people had no church of their own, and they were not allowed to serve God in their own way. If they met in any gathering a white man had to be present to see what they were doing. If they were caught serving God unknown to their masters, they were whipped. It was recorded that they would steal away at night to some other meeting place and put a large pot of water at the door to deaden the sound and then serve God. Many Negroes belonged to white churches and some white churches has as many or more colored member than white. According to church records, at one time Taylorsville Baptist Church had a membership of 150 members, of which 100 of them were Negroes. On June 1848 two slaves, Charles and Solomon (all slaves were referred to by their first name only,) were chosen as deacons to supervise the Negro brethren. But the colored members had to sit quietly in the galleries and listen to sermons on subjects such as “Servants Obey Your Masters.” Under such pressure and under such strain, God was still sitting high and looking low. He heard cries, groans and petitions of His children. There came four years of bitter conflict which ended with the chains of slavery being broken. The smoke of the conflict had hardly ceased to reverberate from hill to hill before the ex-slaves began seeking a place to worship.
It was about the year 1868, the 14th amendment to the constitution was ratified, which granted citizenship and civil right to Negroes. It was during the tenure of President Andrew Jackson that a little band of Christian Negroes, about 32 in number, withdrew from the Taylorsville Baptist Church, white, and found a place to worship on Dr. Frank Taylor’s farm, a white land owner, about five miles west of this present site. It may have been just a barn or shack but they had what we call the “faith of our fathers” and believed that God was there. By 1875, the last of the Negroes had left Taylorsville Baptist Church. In a meeting on May 15, 1875, the Taylorsville Baptist Church decided to drop the names of all Negro members from their church records.
There is no record of the meeting but it is believed that the Rev. Burl Toler was the head of the movement and was elected the first pastor. They named the church The Jerusalem Baptist Church. Mr. John Robinson was the first clerk. The Rev. Toler must have been one of the leading preachers at that time, for we found that the Mattaponi Baptist Association was organized the same year, 1878, with Burl Toler as president.
The congregation moved to Robinson Spring on the other side of Little River near Taylorsville. From there they located in a shack on the R F & P railroad about one half mile below Doswell Junction, about a half mile from the present day site. One reason the members were anxious to move was because every time the train would blow the horses would become frightened and many would run away. The Rev. Elmore Taylor, Sr. was mention as one of the church workers at that time. The next pastor was Rev. Spencer Key. He was followed by Rev. R.C. Kemp, who was a school teacher and in 1880 to become the second Moderator of the Mattaponi Baptist Association.
It was about the year 1868, the 14th amendment to the constitution was ratified, which granted citizenship and civil right to Negroes. It was during the tenure of President Andrew Jackson that a little band of Christian Negroes, about 32 in number, withdrew from the Taylorsville Baptist Church, white, and found a place to worship on Dr. Frank Taylor’s farm, a white land owner, about five miles west of this present site. It may have been just a barn or shack but they had what we call the “faith of our fathers” and believed that God was there. By 1875, the last of the Negroes had left Taylorsville Baptist Church. In a meeting on May 15, 1875, the Taylorsville Baptist Church decided to drop the names of all Negro members from their church records.
There is no record of the meeting but it is believed that the Rev. Burl Toler was the head of the movement and was elected the first pastor. They named the church The Jerusalem Baptist Church. Mr. John Robinson was the first clerk. The Rev. Toler must have been one of the leading preachers at that time, for we found that the Mattaponi Baptist Association was organized the same year, 1878, with Burl Toler as president.
The congregation moved to Robinson Spring on the other side of Little River near Taylorsville. From there they located in a shack on the R F & P railroad about one half mile below Doswell Junction, about a half mile from the present day site. One reason the members were anxious to move was because every time the train would blow the horses would become frightened and many would run away. The Rev. Elmore Taylor, Sr. was mention as one of the church workers at that time. The next pastor was Rev. Spencer Key. He was followed by Rev. R.C. Kemp, who was a school teacher and in 1880 to become the second Moderator of the Mattaponi Baptist Association.
In 1879, ten years after the church was founded, Mr. J.B. Denton, a white landowner who was said to be an infidel, deeded one acre of land to the congregation, which was to be used for religious purposes only. Under the leadership of Rev. Minor, the congregation moved to its present spot on “Old Telegraph Road.” The first edifice was erected and the people could worship under their own vine and fig tree with no one to molest or make them afraid. On April 13, 1879, the deed was recorded in Hanover County Court by J.B. Denton and his wife Mary Denton, with Aaron Ferrell, Morris Ross and Armistead Jones serving as trustees of the church. During this time, some other members were; Jane Smith, Ellen Robinson, Eliza Baylor, David Graham, R. Walker Thompson, Charles Green, Robert James and many others. The brethren that were ordained as deacons under Rev. Minor were; Bob Lindsey, R. Walker Thompson, Dick Robinson, John Jackson, Charlie Green, George Mines, John Lindsey and Robert Ferrell.
Having resigned the pastoral duties of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Louisa, Virginia in April, 1892, Dr. W. L. Taylor, Sr. was called to pastor the Jerusalem Baptist Church in the spring of 1893. Dr. Taylor was an outstanding figure of his day. He was president of the True Reformers Bank of Richmond and grand worthy master of the United Order of True Reformers. He was a man of great versatility, a preacher, administrator, lecturer, musician and school teacher. When he took charge as pastor of Jerusalem, the church house was greatly in need of remodeling and repairs, aside from this the congregation was small and the Sunday school was at the lowest point.
He succeed in building a modern edifice with every convenience of divine worship. Under Rev. Taylor’s administration, the following deacons were ordained, Tom Taylor, Richard Anderson, John R. Elliot, J.R. Thompson, W.H. Green and Robert Lacy. The treasurer at that time was John Brown. Rev. Taylor’s tenure as pastor was about 23 years, for indeed he was an outstanding leader of his day. He died April 1, 1915.
He was succeeded by the Rev. Joshua Moore. His stay was of a short duration. The church then extended a call to the Rev. T. M. Allen, B.D., who served from 4 to 5 years. Under his leadership, the day of worship service was changed from the first to the third Sunday. E.D. Bowles and Andrew Jackson were ordained deacons during his stay.
In 1922, the Rev. R. L. Harrison was called to pastor. He served until 1929. Garnett Cary, Jesse Robinson and Sam Williams were ordained as deacons of the church. Deacon Cary was selected as treasurer of the church. The next pastor was Rev. Everett Eugene Robinson. It was interesting to note that during his pastorate the church began to rise financially. When Deacon Cary was selected as treasurer of the church there was only $1.00 in the treasury. Rev. Robinson adopted a plan whereby when the designated amount could not be realized to pay salaries, the money taken would be equally divided among those to be paid and call it square. Under his administration, many improvements were made and many souls were added. He served for about seven years. The church was electrified as well as beautified during his stay. James Johnson and Robert Anderson were added to the deacon board.
In 1939, the Rev. W. L. Smith was elected as pastor. He had the belief that once a month service was not sufficient. The church went on two Sunday services, the first and the third Sundays. Mrs. Ida B. Wiley was made clerk. The Junior Choir was organized during his stay with his wife Mrs. W.L. Smith as the leader and his daughter Miss Marie Smith as organist. He resigned in 1942 after a successful pastorate.
On the third Sunday in August 1943, a call was extended to the Rev. M.T. Fleming who served for twelve years. He not only told the members what to do but, he took the forefront with his labors as well as his means. During his stay he labored ardently and the church was completely renovated with brick veneer, classrooms, restrooms, oil heat, electric organ, floor covering and beautifully landscaped. The following deacons were added to the board; Roland Richards, who came to Jerusalem as a deacon from Shiloh Baptist Church, Bowling Green in Caroline County, also William H. Anderson, William H. Thompson and Ray Shelton. The trustees added in March 1951 were William H. Anderson, Clyde Thompson and S. H. Thompson to serve with the present trustees at that time, Robert Anderson, Sr. and Garnett Cary. In presenting his resignation, Rev. Fleming recommended to the church the idea that every Sunday service would be feasible. This the church accepted, adopted and immediately fulfilled the request.
In 1957, the church extended a call to the Rev. Morris W. Lee, who became the 13th pastor of Jerusalem. He was a dynamic and inspiring young man, one who thunders with great Christian eloquence. The church, under his leadership mounted to higher heights. After the death of Deacon Robert Anderson, Sr. (church treasurer) in April 1961, Deacon William H. Anderson was elected treasurer.
In 1962, the church extended a call to Rev. Melford Walker. He was a man of sincerity and humbleness. The church under his leadership strived toward a goal for greater Christian service. Many souls were added to the church. In September 1962, Ralph Anderson ws ordained as deacon. Robert Anderson, Jr. and Albert Shelton, Sr. were elected to serve on the Trustee Board. After the death of Deacon William H. Anderson, in 1963, Deacon William Harold Thompson, Sr. was elected church treasurer and a member of the Trustee Board. Others to serve as treasurer during this time were Wayne Mickens and Eugene Mickens. In 1967, Nathaniel Aaron Mines, Sr., was ordained as a deacon.
In 1979, Wayne Mickens, (age 29) and Ernest H. Anderson were ordained as deacons. Wortham Smithers, Ronald Anderson and Roland Mickens, Sr. were elected to serve on the Trustee Board. In 1981, Ellis Jackson was elected to serve on the Deacon Board. In 1983, Junious Holmes was elected to the Trustee Board. In 1984, Deacon Doug Pinkard was elected to the Deacon Board. In 1987, Ralph Anderson, Jr. and Eugene Mickens were elected to the Trustee Board.
Pastor Walker established a class for the new converts of the church taught by the Chairman of the Deacon Board, Deacon Ralph Anderson, Sr. Spring and Youth Revivals were started under his administration. The Sanctuary was renovated and a baptismal pool was installed. The Education and Fellowship Areas included classrooms, Pastor’s Study, Choir Room, kitchen, storage room, office and restrooms were built. God richly blessed us through Rev. Dr. Walker’s administration. In 1993, after 31 years of successful service, Dr. Walker retired. The church elected Pastor Walker as Pastor Emeritus.
Following the retirement of Pastor Walker, our church was without a shepherd for 19 months. The Lord heard the prayers of Jerusalem and in 1994, God sent us Rev. E. Richard Swan along with First Lady Anita Swan and he became our 16th pastor of Jerusalem Baptist Church. Under Pastor Swan leadership our church grew spiritually, financially and in attendance.
In 1995, Avery Hilliard was ordained deacon. In 1997, Gregory Thompson was ordained deacon. Melvin Anderson, Theodore Patterson, Henry Robinson, Sr., William Thomas, William H. Thompson, Jr., Leonard Parker, Sr., and Marshall Wright, Sr., were elected to serves as trustees. The Music Ministry consisted of the Sanctuary Choir, Youth Choir, Gospel Chorus, Men’s Choir, Mass Choir, Voices of Hope, United Praise and Miracles and Blessings Youth Choir. After a few years the following men were ordained for deacons; Henry Robinson, Sr., Leonard Parker, Wortham Smithers, and Marshall Wright, Sr.
In 2001, Pastor Swan was blessed to become a full-time pastor which afforded him the opportunity to meet the growing needs of the congregation. By God’s grace in May 2002, the Jerusalem Church family officially dedicated its new Sanctuary, classrooms and office facilities by symbolically walking from the Old Sanctuary to the New Sanctuary. This was a momentous occasion for the church as it was a grand display of how far Jerusalem had progressed as a Church and family. In late 2007, the Church began the process for developing twenty-five (+) acres of land to build a community with affordable housing.
In 2001, Pastor Swan was blessed to become a full-time pastor which afforded him the opportunity to meet the growing needs of the congregation. By God’s grace in May 2002, the Jerusalem Church family officially dedicated its new Sanctuary, classrooms and office facilities by symbolically walking from the Old Sanctuary to the New Sanctuary. This was a momentous occasion for the church as it was a grand display of how far Jerusalem had progressed as a Church and family. In late 2007, the Church began the process for developing twenty-five (+) acres of land to build a community with affordable housing.
To meet the growing needs of the Jerusalem Baptist Church Family, under the leadership of Pastor Swan, the church was blessed with several new ministries including the Deaconess Ministry. The first deaconess were Cordie Mines, Reather Smithers, Viola Wilkerson, Rachel Thompson and Carrie Cary, Brenda Parker and Cheryl Thompson. Later other elected as deaconess were, Vera Pleasants, Maxine Cary, Bettie Hilliard, Linda Shelton and Karen Geter. Other ministries were Christian Education Ministry, Outreach Ministry, Addiction Recovery Ministry, Nursery Ministry, Boys and Girls Mentoring Ministries, Praise Team Ministry, Step Team Ministry, Pulpit Circle Ministry, Prison Ministry, Seniors in Action Ministry, Prayer and Praise Ministry, Publicity Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Construction Ministry, Transportation Ministry, Married Couples’ Ministry, Drama Ministry, Health and Wellness Ministry, Children Church Ministry, Community Affairs Ministry, and the Jerusalem Youth in Action (JYIA) Ministry.
Under the leadership of Pastor Swan, the following men and women were elected to serve as trustees; Robert Johnson, Jeffrey Shelton, Sr., Donald Pleasants, Milton Brooks, Theodore Patterson, John U. Cary, Jr., Ramonn Birden, Michael Jackson, Sr., Mashay Samuel, Cathy Holman and Eliner Ware. The following men were also ordained deacons; Clarence Melvin Derricott, Gerard Brooks, Leon Harris, Donald Pleasants and Deitric Edwards.
Pastor Swan was an actively involved spiritual leader. He taught the Wednesday Night Bible Class each Wednesday, except for the first Wednesday in each month. On the first Wednesday, the members were blessed with Wednesday Worship Night and an associate minister from Jerusalem was in charge of delivering the Word. On Thursdays, Pastor Swan taught Bible Class during the daytime for the Seniors in Action, the Missionaries and any senior that would like to participate in daytime Bible Class. The same senior groups provided a worship service once a month at the Ashland Convalescent Home where Pastor Swan gave the Word to the patients and staff. On Sunday mornings, Pastor Swan could be found teaching or joining a Sunday School Class. On second and fourth Sundays, he taught the Young Adult Sunday School Class where 90 percent of the students were baptized or joined Jerusalem under his leadership. He also facilitated workshops that were needed or requested by Jerusalem and /or the community.
To show his educational and theological dedication, Pastor Swan graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University (STVU) of Richmond, Virginia. At STVU, he not only earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree, but he also specialized in the school’s curriculum of Christian Education graduating Magna Cum Laude in May 2004. In May of 2010, Pastor Swan earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree at Howard University’s School of Divinity in Washington, D.C.
After 23 years of leading the Jerusalem Baptist Church and community, Pastor Swan retired to enjoy the next chapters of his life which included teaching the Word of God to other preachers on the college level.
The Jerusalem Church Family was without a shepherd, but little did the members know that God had answered their prayers while they were still praying. There were over 105 resumes for pastoral leadership for Jerusalem. Applications were received from Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia and New Jersey to name a few states. The church was blessed to call yet another native West Virginian in the person of Rev. Donte’ L. Jackson. Pastor Donte’ came to Jerusalem from the First Baptist Church of Huntington, WV. where he Pastored eight years with an amassed experience eighteen years of Gospel ministry. His Pastoral leadership skills and familiarity with the Jerusalem family helped Jerusalem in feeling comfortable extending the Pastoral call to Pastor Donte’. Along with his wife Christina and two children Olivia and Josiah they accepted the position of Pastor and First Family at Jerusalem Baptist Church on August 5, 2018. He was installed on November 4, 2018 becoming the 17th Pastor in Jerusalem’s 150 year history.
The Jerusalem Baptist Church family is excited about “Moving Forward by Faith” and growing under the leadership of Pastor Donte’ L. Jackson. His stay was for a short duration.
Due consideration is given to those who down through the years have given inspiration to the worship services their music ability. Namely, Mrs. Susie Tinsley, Mrs. Alice Robinson and Susie Elliott. In the year 1922, the Rev. S. L. Winfree organized the first choir of the church. He served faithfully until April 1957. Others who served as organists and pianists were Miss Hattie Lacy, Miss Marie Lacy, Miss Hattie Thompson, Mrs. Ida B. Wiley, and Mr. Charles Jackson, who tenure as organist was about 20 years. Mrs. Betty J. Gaynor, Miss Loretta Thompson, Miss Yvonne Chappell, Mrs. Victoria Anderson, Mr. Donald Anderson, Ms. Carolyn Harvey, Mr. Kevin Pleasants, Mrs. Ida Fortune and Deacon Gregory Thompson. (over 20 years and counting) Mr. Samuel Robinson served as choir director and Mrs. Sharita Birden is the present choir directress.
Those holding the position of the church clerk were Mr. John Robinson, Mr. Eddie Ferrell, Mr. Samuel Robinson, Miss Letha green, Mr. Bob Robinson, Mr. Marshall Pleasants, Mr. Raymond Mickens, Mrs. Ida B. Wiley, Mrs. Reather Smithers, Mrs. Sharita Birden and presently Ms. Lynette Carter. The church has licensed the following brethren to the ministry: John Elliott, S.L. Winfree and Jonathan Clark. Those who were licensed and ordained were Rev. W. L. Taylor Jr., Rev. Jack Wilkerson, Rev. Roy Shark, Rev. S. H. Thompson, Rev. Aaron Mines and Rev. Corine Lucas. Jerusalem also welcomed associate ministers Rev. Gregory Washington and Rev. Clifton Butts.
As we continue to prepare to meet God, we will forever be thankful to the 32 original members of Jerusalem Baptist Church that paved the way for us.