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.”
From the depths of despair to the heights of deliverance, His hand has guided His people through every storm. In the days of slavery, our ancestors had no church to call their own. They were forbidden to worship freely, forced to serve God under the watchful eyes of their masters. When caught praying in secret, they were punished—yet their faith would not be silenced. So, under the veil of night, they would steal away to hidden places, placing pots of water at the door to muffle their praises as they cried out to Heaven.
Though many worshiped in white churches, often outnumbering their white counterparts, they were confined to the galleries—listening quietly to sermons that reinforced their bondage. Still, God was not deaf to their cries. From the shadows of oppression, He was already working a greater plan.
And when the thunder of war rolled across the land, God’s justice moved like a mighty wind. The chains of slavery were broken, and from the ashes of that struggle rose a determined people—seeking a place to worship in spirit and in truth. Out of bondage came the birth of the Black church—a living testimony that no storm can silence the faith of God’s children.
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 the spring of 1893, Dr. W.L. Taylor, Sr., was called to pastor the church. He was a man of extraordinary vision — a preacher, teacher, musician, and scholar. He led not only in the pulpit but also in the community, serving as president of the True Reformers Bank of Richmond and grand worthy master of the United Order of True Reformers.
When Dr. Taylor arrived, the church was small, the building worn, and the Sunday School nearly silent. But with faith and determination, he revived it all. From a barn to a sanctuary, from a whisper of faith to a legacy that would span generations, Jerusalem Baptist Church was built not just on land, but on unshakable belief.
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.
It was 1939 when 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.
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.
Today
In 2017, after decades of transformative leadership, Dr. E. Richard Swan retired, leaving behind a legacy of love, learning, and lasting impact. Jerusalem called Rev. Donte’ L. Jackson in 2018 as its 17th pastor, along with First Lady Christina and their children, Olivia and Josiah. Together, they led the church under the theme “Moving Forward by Faith,” inspiring continued spiritual growth and community outreach.
In 2024, Jerusalem Baptist Church joyfully ordained Pastor Nathaniel Griffin as its 18th Pastor, alongside his devoted wife, First Lady Ebony Griffin. Pastor Griffin, affectionately known as Pastor Nate, brings a heart deeply rooted in discipleship and spiritual growth. As the founding pastor of Chosen for Completion Ministries, he has dedicated his life to guiding believers toward maturity in Christ. Residing in the Hampton Roads area with his beloved children Matthew Watts and Nehemiah Griffin, Pastor Nate leads with humility, vision, and a steadfast commitment to helping God’s people walk boldly in their divine purpose.
Today, as Jerusalem Baptist Church continues to stand on the promises of God, we remain forever grateful to the 32 original members whose faith and perseverance lit the path. From a humble beginning to a thriving ministry, we celebrate how far the Lord has brought us — and we look forward, with unshakable faith, to where He will lead us next.