Emmanuel Baptist Church

"The Church Where Everybody is Somebody and Christ is Lord of All"
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“I heard the voice of Jesus say…” Thus begins one of the old Negro hymns sung many times by the tiny group of believers, who began meeting for Wednesday evening Bible classes and prayer. The seedings of the Emmanuel Baptist Church began years ago in the year of our Lord 1914. The church started as a mission, holding prayer services in a rented house in the 1300 block of Excelsior Street. They felt the need for a Church in the Columbia Heights community, and as their numbers grew, they began to have Sunday school and Worship Service twice a month. Various local ministers were invited to speak. Finally in 1916, they were properly organized as Emmanuel Baptist Church. The anointed men who spearheaded the formal organization of Emmanuel were Professor J. W. Paisley, Rev. R.L. Files of Mount Zion Baptist Church and Rev. Pink Joyce of Rising Ebenezer Baptist Church. The Church received its name from Professor J.W. Paisley who taught in the Public School System.

The membership increased as the Lord added to the small church. In the same year of 1916 Emmanuel called the first pastor, the Reverend J. R. Summers who was recommended by Dr. Edward Golson, pastor of First Baptist Church. The membership had grown and a building fund campaign was launched by Rev. Summers who pastored Emmanuel for two years. In the early spring of 1918, the church extended the call to Rev. Eli W. Walker of South Carolina. Shortly after Rev. Walker assumed his pastoral duties, the Church had to relocate to make way for the Southern Railway Station. A rented house on the corner of Bruce and Hill Streets was secured, and the church continued to grow. As the need for additional space became evident, the members decided to build a Church. Land was purchased at 619 Smith Street, and the “Little White Church on the Hill” known as Emmanuel was built in 1922. After serving Emmanuel for four years, Rev. Walker resigned and moved to Durham where he was instrumental in building Calvary Baptist Church.

 

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History of EBC (PDF)