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Gethsamene Missionary Baptist Church History
In October of 1956 our founding Pastor, the late Reverend George Williams, Sr. organized the Madison Avenue Baptist Church with the aid of the late Pastor Adrian King (Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, Saginaw, MI), and the late Pastor Nick Hall (Bethesda Baptist Church, Saginaw, MI).
In 1965 the church name was changed to Evening Star Baptist Church. As the church continued to grow under the leadership of our second Pastor the late Pastor Dr. Nathaniel Calhoun, we were blessed to purchase a larger worship campus and moved into our new building in April of 1968 located at 1600 Woodside Avenue. After continuous faithfulness of congregation and leadership we were able to celebrate the mortgage burning seven years later after acquiring in 1975.
During the early 1980’s our church was able to organize and launch core vital ministries including the music ministry, young Christian women united ministry, license and ordain new ministers and deacons as our leadership departments were reorganized to provide a more effective approach.
Due to the continuous growth of our church there was a need to expand. However, city codes prohibited our expansion goals at our second location. Therefore under the leadership of our third pastor the late Pastor LeRoy Quinn, we purchased our third location and marched in on March 5, 2000, to our current location of 1200 N. Johnson Street. Later in that year our church name was changed for the third time to Gethsamene Missionary Baptist Church (*Due to State of Michigan Incorporation Law’s we could not have the biblical spelling of Gethsemane because another church already held the spelling, so that is where the (a) in Gethsamene comes from).
Over the last 67 years of faithful commitment and service with the guidance of the Lord and all Pastors that have been assigned to our church we have grown spiritually, financially and in membership. With all the labor put forth Gethsamene has been able to use the fruits to go through name, location, and leadership changes. We were also able to purchase and renovate the assets God has given us over the years.
We are forever thankful for all the milestones God has graciously allowed us to accomplish yesterday as we continue to press forward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. As a Church we are forever grateful for this “New Day” God has given us to continue to grow spiritually, finically and in membership.
Pastoral History
1st: Pastor George Williams, Sr. (Founder) 1956 – 1964 *Deceased = 8 Years of Service
2nd: Pastor Dr. Nathaniel Calhoun, Sr. 1965 – 1979 *Deceased = 14 Years of Service
3rd: Pastor LeRoy Quinn 1980 – 2001 *Deceased = 21 Years of Service
4th: Pastor Alfonzo Abner 2002 – 2016 *Retired = 14 Years of Service
5th: Pastor Edward Jones 2017 – 2021 *Retired = 4 Years of Service
6th: Pastor Benjamin Smith 2022 – Present
Church Name History
Evening Star / Madison Avenue Missionary Baptist Church – 1956 – 1967
Evening Star / Woodside Missionary Baptist Church – 1968 – 2000
Gethsamene Missionary Baptist Church – 2000 – Present
Who We Are
Gethsamene is a community of believers of Jesus Christ, doing life together. Everything that we do is centered around growing in learning, serving, praying and giving to bring glory to God. We believe that God is the head of our church and sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins that we may be saved.
Church Theme:
“It’s A New Day” -Philippians 3:13-14
Core Values:
Restoration, Unifying, Discipleship, Compassion, Focus
In October of 1956 our founding Pastor, the late Reverend George Williams, Sr. organized the Madison Avenue Baptist Church with the aid of the late Pastor Adrian King (Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, Saginaw, MI), and the late Pastor Nick Hall (Bethesda Baptist Church, Saginaw, MI).
In 1965 the church name was changed to Evening Star Baptist Church. As the church continued to grow under the leadership of our second Pastor the late Pastor Dr. Nathaniel Calhoun, we were blessed to purchase a larger worship campus and moved into our new building in April of 1968 located at 1600 Woodside Avenue. After continuous faithfulness of congregation and leadership we were able to celebrate the mortgage burning seven years later after acquiring in 1975.
During the early 1980’s our church was able to organize and launch core vital ministries including the music ministry, young Christian women united ministry, license and ordain new ministers and deacons as our leadership departments were reorganized to provide a more effective approach.
Due to the continuous growth of our church there was a need to expand. However, city codes prohibited our expansion goals at our second location. Therefore under the leadership of our third pastor the late Pastor LeRoy Quinn, we purchased our third location and marched in on March 5, 2000, to our current location of 1200 N. Johnson Street. Later in that year our church name was changed for the third time to Gethsamene Missionary Baptist Church (*Due to State of Michigan Incorporation Law’s we could not have the biblical spelling of Gethsemane because another church already held the spelling, so that is where the (a) in Gethsamene comes from).
Over the last 67 years of faithful commitment and service with the guidance of the Lord and all Pastors that have been assigned to our church we have grown spiritually, financially and in membership. With all the labor put forth Gethsamene has been able to use the fruits to go through name, location, and leadership changes. We were also able to purchase and renovate the assets God has given us over the years.
We are forever thankful for all the milestones God has graciously allowed us to accomplish yesterday as we continue to press forward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. As a Church we are forever grateful for this “New Day” God has given us to continue to grow spiritually, finically and in membership.
Pastoral History
1st: Pastor George Williams, Sr. (Founder) 1956 – 1964 *Deceased = 8 Years of Service
2nd: Pastor Dr. Nathaniel Calhoun, Sr. 1965 – 1979 *Deceased = 14 Years of Service
3rd: Pastor LeRoy Quinn 1980 – 2001 *Deceased = 21 Years of Service
4th: Pastor Alfonzo Abner 2002 – 2016 *Retired = 14 Years of Service
5th: Pastor Edward Jones 2017 – 2021 *Retired = 4 Years of Service
6th: Pastor Benjamin Smith 2022 – Present
Church Name History
Evening Star / Madison Avenue Missionary Baptist Church – 1956 – 1967
Evening Star / Woodside Missionary Baptist Church – 1968 – 2000
Gethsamene Missionary Baptist Church – 2000 – Present
Who We Are
Gethsamene is a community of believers of Jesus Christ, doing life together. Everything that we do is centered around growing in learning, serving, praying and giving to bring glory to God. We believe that God is the head of our church and sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins that we may be saved.
Church Theme:
“It’s A New Day” -Philippians 3:13-14
Core Values:
Restoration, Unifying, Discipleship, Compassion, Focus