God has sustained
and blessed Second Baptist Church for the past one hundred
thirty-one years. Since 1872, the members strive to fulfill the
scripture to “Go ye therefore and teach all nations….” (Matthew
28:19-20). Second Baptist Church demonstrates faith, hope and
love by continuing to do God’s Will. We pray for God’s “showers
of blessings” on the present fellowship while serving the Lord God
Almighty. Thank God for those who came before us with their vision
and for God’s vision in those who follow in the future.
******
On the March 23, 1872, a council of the
following ministers convened at the Baptist Church of Bloomington
to constitute the Second Baptist Church of Bloomington. The
ministers consisted of Rev. Phillip Simcoe, Rev. William
Singleton, Rev. John Ghan, and Rev. William Lyon. The group
elected Rev. William Singleton as the Moderator and Mr. H.T.
Tourner as the clerk and recorder. The following men became the
deacons of the newly organized church: Brothers Doc Wilson,
Dennis Roberts, Milton Norris, James Wilson, Alfred Freemen, and
Andrew Henson. They adopted the following church covenant. It
stated:
We whose names are undersigned,
being desirous of being constituted a church of Jesus Christ in
this place, and having due knowledge of each other in point of a
walk of grace in our hearts; religious principles and moral
character and being desirous of enjoying the privileges that
appertain to the people of God in a church relation, do in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ, voluntary [sic] and freely give
ourselves to the Lord and to one another according to his word, to
be one body, under one head, jointly to exist and act by the bonds
and rules of the gospel and do promise and engage to do all
things, by Divine assistance in our different capacities and
relations, that the Lord has commanded us and requires of us,
particularly to deny ourselves , take up our cross and follow Him,
keep the faith, assemble ourselves together, love the brethren,
submit to one another in the Lord, care for one another, hear each
others burdens, endeavour [sic] to keep the unity of the spirit in
the bonds of peace. This is the covenant, we solemnly enter into,
in fear of God humbly imploring the Divine assistance and blessing
that we may be built up and established to the glory of God, the
advancement of the Redeemer’s kingdom and the comfort and
edification of our own souls, thro [sic] the infinite riches of
free Grace, which is in honor and glory and obedience rendered now
and evermore, Amen.
Done at the
Baptist meeting House in the town of
Bloomington, Monroe County,
Indiana on Saturday, March 23rd in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and seventy two. H.P. Tourner, clerk protem
Signatures on the document were: Doc Wilson,
Dennis Roberts, Milton Norris, Andrew Henson, James Wilson, Adam
Gray, Allen Nelson, Eliza…, Susan Nelson, Harrison Hammon (sp).
One name is scratched out.
According to the papers filed at the clerk’s
office, Patrick Higgins sold the land (located on the northeast
corner of 8th and Rogers Streets) on October 18th,
1873, for one hundred fifty dollars to the Second Baptist Church.
Even though the land was purchased shortly after the settlers came
together, they worshipped in the homes of interested persons for
eighteen years. In 1890, they built a frame structure on the
northeast corner of 8th and Rogers Streets. Rev.
Henson was called to be the first pastor in 1890.
Excluding Rev. Henson, twelve ministers
served the church as pastor until 1907. Each contributed to the
spiritual and numerical growth of the church. They are: Reverends
John Ghan, Phillip Simcoe, J.R. Miller, Revels, Green, William
Arnold, E. Price, Clark, Clay, J.E. Rogers, C.H. Reed, and M.C.
Elzy. Mrs. Amanda Ghan, mother of Deacon Emeritus Dwight Ghan,
was the first candidate for baptism and was baptized in a pond
west of Bloomington. She, too, became one of the charter
members.
Reverend Moses M. Porter, pastor of the
Second Baptist Church, Bedford, accepted the “call” from the
Second Baptist Church, Bloomington and became the pastor in 1907.
In 1913, Pastor Porter lent the church $4,000 of his personal
funds to assist the small faithful congregation in the purchase of
the property on the southwest corner of 8th & Rogers
(the present location of the church) and led in the building of
the beautiful stone structure at a cost of $40,000. It was the
first church built of stone by African Americans in Indiana.
Samuel Plato, an African American from Louisville, Kentucky, was
the architect. John Chandler plastered the interior, and Lawrence
Evans did the cement work. Thomas Gordon donated and hauled (by
horse and wagon) the stone. Reverend Porter baptized Mr. Evans
(the first person baptized in the pool in the church) and Mr.
Gordon (at the age of ninety-five). After repaying Rev. Porter
the $4,000, the church built the parsonage at 509 West 8th
Street. Under Rev. Porter’s leadership, a new furnace was
installed, interior redecoration completed, and restrooms placed
in the basement. Forty-five years of service with many
achievements came to a close in 1952 with the passing of Rev.
Porter.
In 1954, Rev. Marvin Chandler became pastor
and served until 1955. During his pastorate, an electric organ
was purchased and installed. Music was his primary focus and in
1955, he resigned to continue his study of music and theology.
Rev. M.R. Edwards was “called” to the pastorate and served four
years (1955-59).
******
In August 1959, Rev. E.D. Butler, who was
pastor at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Connersville and the First
Baptist Church, Noblesville, accepted the “call” to pastor
Second Baptist Church, Bloomington. Rev. Butler brought new
concepts, new organization, new boards and committees, and a new
thrust of influence on the total Bloomington community including
the campus of Indiana University. Additionally, under the
leadership of Rev. Butler, the exterior of the existing building
was refurbished, the annex was completed, and plans for the
renovation of the existing structure were created. Rev. Butler
baptized Idris Harris, the grandson of Doris Batson and the great
grandson of the late Nellie Dearing, as the first candidate in the
new baptismal pool.
Rev. Dr. E.D. Butler and Mary, his wife,
as committed servants of God, served Second Baptist Church, the
City of Bloomington, the State of Indiana, students at Indiana
University, and countless others for over 43 years. On Sunday,
October 20th, 2002, Rev. E.D. Butler delivered his
final sermon as pastor of Second Baptist Church at the 11:00 a.m.
service. Many presentations were made to Rev. and Mrs. Butler at
the retirement program and reception in the newly erected Fellowship Hall. The
theme was: “The steps of a good man [woman] are ordered by the
Lord: and he delighteth in his way” (Psalm 37:23-24). Rev. Butler
was named the first pastor emeritus of Second Baptist Church until
his death in April 2003. Mrs. Mary L. Butler succumbed one month
later.
******
In March 2003, Reverend Bruce R. Rose
accepted the position as interim pastor for Second Baptist
Church. While ministering to the congregation, Reverend Rose
found a revelation in 1 Kings 17:9 that immediately encouraged him
to consider the possibility of becoming pastor of Second Baptist
Church. In June 2003, the Church selected Reverend Bruce R. Rose
as the pastor. On September 28th, 2003, Reverend Bruce
R. Rose, Mrs. Reneé R. Rose, and Ashley Rose became the first
family of Second Baptist Church, Bloomington, Indiana.
******
On November 9, 2003 the first service was
held in the newly remodeled sanctuary.
