The Brown Years • 1940 to 1966
The John A. Franklin Years • 1963 to 1973
The H. Joseph Franklin Years • 1974 –
Introduction
In 1925, between the end of the World War I and the Great Depression, 25 Christian believers known as Richard’s Mission came together to organize what would later be known as Second Baptist Church Southwest. It was a time of great poverty and racial oppression: blacks had been banned from working in government buildings; black soldiers who had fought in World War I were involved in protests as they continued to serve in segregated units; and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, with A. Philip Randolph at the helm, was organized in the same year. A federal anti-lynching law had been killed in the U.S. Senate three years earlier and 97 black Americans were known to have been lynched since the vote. In spite of it all, Richard’s Mission demonstrated their faith in God by banding together to serve God and the Southwest community and today our commitment has not waivered. Our Pastor and Ministerial Staff, Deacons, Deaconesses and Trustees Boards, Sunday Church School, Vacation Bible School, Womens Missionary Union, Brotherhood, six organized choirs, Intermediate and Junior Usher Boards, Nurses Unit, Progressive Club, Willing Workers, Flower Club, Hospitality Committee, Pastor’s Aid Club, Golden Agers Fellowship, New Members Orientation Committee, Scholarship Committee, Youth Department, Boy and Cub Scout Troop #300 and Child Development Center, are proud of our heritage and accomplishments.
In May 1925, the Charter Members of Second Baptist Church Southwest, having received letters of dismissal from Rehoboth Baptist Church of Washington, D.C., met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Allen at First and N Streets, Southwest and organized themselves as a mission congregation under the leadership of the late, Reverend John R. Richards. Known as Richard’s Mission, the membership grew so fast that within a month, the congregation decided to seek a larger place of worship and to be recognized as a church.
On June 10, 1925, a council was called at the Friendship Baptist Church, First and H Streets, Southwest. The pastor was Reverend William Henry Hill; the council moderator was Reverend M.W.D. Norman, and the secretary was Reverend J.L. Loving. After hearing the petition of the Richards’ Mission members, Reverend Howard, pastor of Zion Baptist Church Southwest, moved that Richard’s Mission be recognized as a church. When asked “What will the name of the church be?” – Pastor Richards, with the consent of the members replied, “Second Baptist Church Southwest.” Council moderator Norman then delivered a soul-stirring sermon, using as his text, “Upon this rock I build my church.” Matthew 16:18
In a few short months, the congregation raised money for the building fund and secured two personal loans; one from the pastor Reverend Richards and the other from Reverend Howard, pastor of Mount Moriah Baptist Church. Through the influence of Reverend Richards, they were able to purchase the old Mount Moriah Baptist Church building at Second and N Streets, Southwest.
On September 25, 1925, the congregation marched into their new home singing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” There were 65 members; a Board of Deacons consisting of James Clark, Chairman, Andrew Jones and Andrew Driver; and, a Board of Trustees including Reverend Lancaster and Andrew Jones, Church Clerk. Members of the Banking Committee were Reverend Lancaster, Ella Coleman and Marie Conway. Mamie Hart was president of the 16-member choir.
The stock market crash of 1929 caused soup lines to become the order of the day for most Southwest residents, many of whom had already been living in poverty. But the Second Baptist congregation continued to toil on in Jesus’ name. In April 1932, Pastor Richards informed the church of his failing health and recommended that he be replaced by Reverend Walter A. Gray. The members accepted the recommendation and on May 8, 1932, Reverend Gray was elected the pastor. He served for 7 years, and resigned to accept the pastorate of another church. For one year, Reverend George Williams, a son of the church, and various pastors from within the city provided faithful and dependable pastoral services.
1940 to 1966
In April 1940, Reverend Jesse A. Brown was called to be our pastor. At that time, the church had an active membership of 18 and a $27,000 debt. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal programs had not ended the Depression and many of the young men who lived in Southwest were being called to serve in World War II. Many blacks remained out of work, but the threat of a March on Washington in 1941 by A. Philip Randolph made President Roosevelt declare and end to discrimination in the employment of workers in the defense industries or government. During this time of economic recovery, and in a few short years, Reverend Brown proved that he was not only a gospel preacher, but also a builder and administrator. With the help of God, the membership increased which enabled us to liquidate our indebtedness and within 12 years purchase adjacent property. We then took on the task of improving the interior and exterior of the church to make it more attractive and conducive for worship. The improvements and additions increased the property value from $2,500 in 1940 to $51,000 in 1956. Shortly thereafter, “Urban Renewal” policies began to take effect and it was clear that the church would have to move. During Urban Renewal, many Southwest residents and church members were displaced and forced to relocate to other areas of the city or to surrounding jurisdictions. However, an agreement was reached by the congregation to sell the N Street property and buy land owned by the National Capitol Housing Authority at First and M Streets, Southwest, thereby allowing the church to remain in Southwest at the site on which we are now located.
The plans and specifications for our new church building were drawn by Johnson and Boutin Architects. The Area-Wide Contractors and Builders were the constructors. The Ground-Breaking Ceremony was held on September 30, 1955. The cornerstone was laid by the American Legion, James Reese Post No. 5 on October 20, 1957, and the first services were held Sunday, December 15, 1957.
During the next few years, the congregation continued to enhance the beauty and comfort of the church. Public address and central air-conditioning systems were installed, the yard was enclosed, and carpet was laid in the main sanctuary.
The Berti-Vell Day Care Center (now the Second Baptist Church Child Development Center) was organized in September 1964, under the direction of Reverend Brown’s wife, Eleanor P. Brown and Jean Walker, to serve the parents and children of our community.
Reverend Jesse A. Brown was our leader during the crown victories of the Civil Rights Movement: the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, the 1963 March on Washington led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He was “called from labor to reward” on December 14, 1966. We still speak of the debt of gratitude we owe him and of his sterling Christian qualities as a minister and leader. He left a spiritually strong and financially sound church program.
1963-1973
Reverend John A. Franklin, a son of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington D.C.; and an associate minister of Second Baptist Church since 1963, was asked to serve as the pulpit supplier and acting pastor. He served in that capacity for 19 months, following the death of Reverend Brown, and in August 1968 he was called to the pastorate. Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated in April of the same year, and many Southwest businesses had been destroyed in the resulting civil disturbance. By August, 3,000 members of the Poor People’s Campaign were living in a shantytown called Resurrection City on the Mall demanding more jobs for blacks and a better standard of living. But, in the midst of a volatile political atmosphere that precipitated the fleeing of many youth from churches in general, Reverend Franklin was able to reactivate the Baptist Training Union and organize the Board of Christian Education and the Junior Missionary Society. Under his leadership, church membership grew. Weekly attendance increased, and the building was physically improved. Church lettering and handrails were added to the exterior and remodeling was done throughout the interior.
Following the death of Reverend John A. Franklin on June 17, 1973, the late, Reverend Lee Tucker, a son and member of our church, became acting pastor. We are grateful for the excellent service that he rendered during those trying times.
1974 –
On May 3, 1974, God sent Reverend H. Joseph Franklin to be our fifth pastor. He began his acceptance statement on the first Sunday in June 1974, with “Having been lead, I believe . . .” and called for a 30-day prayer vigil.
Immediately after Pastor H. Joseph Franklin assumed the pastorate of Second Baptist Church Southwest, a new era began which led to greater spiritual growth and financial security. During his 25 years of pastorate, the church membership has increased so much that in June 1980 an additional Sunday morning worship service was added at 8 o’clock, and the 6 o’clock hour for the third service was created.
Upon seeing the need, and being a Holy Spirit led shepherd, Pastor Franklin began the New Members Orientation Workshop so that the church could be enlightened on “what the new members expect from the church” and to have the new members made aware of “what the church expects from them” as well as “what God expects from all of us.” A Great Day was also instituted to recognize those new members prepared for service in auxiliaries and further study. The Orientation Workshops and Great Day services are held quarterly.
With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the capable administrative leadership of our pastor, Reverend Franklin, we were able to hold our Mortgage Burning Service on November 4, 1979. Being a man of great vision, in June 1986, Reverend Franklin along with the Official Board, presented building plans for a new edifice which were readily accepted by the membership. The facility was designed by one of our own members, Gylynn J. Moten. We have not yet attained that goal; however, we are still pressing toward the mark for the prize. And in the meantime, a capital improvement project has been completed which makes the building handicapped-accessible. These plans also were designed by Brother Moten and included the installation of an elevator and the remodeling of the restrooms.
Reverend Franklin has ordained three sons of the church – Reverend David Tucker (who was called from labor to reward on June 21, 1998); Reverend Aaron Moye, pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Brunswick Maryland and Reverend Perry L. Radford, who was made Assistant to Pastor Franklin in 1993. He later went on to found the New Life Baptist Church. In 1992, Ministers Anthony Simms and Lonnie Thomas were licensed to the gospel preaching ministry. However, Minister Thomas passed on June 23, 1998. In September 2002, the Pastor’s son, Minister H. Joseph Franklin, Jr. was licensed to the preaching ministry; Minister David A. Godbolt was licensed in June 2003; and, Minister Kevin Jackson was licensed in October 2004. In September 2007, upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Franklin presented the first female preacher to be licensed to preach the gospel in the history of Second Baptist Church Southwest, Minister Niketia S. Hawkins. Reverend Carl V. Messiah, Pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Marbury, Maryland and Minister James Jones are also members of the ministerial staff.
Noteworthy are other significant achievements: 13 deacons have been trained and ordained by Pastor Franklin; Deaconess Board Number Two was organized to serve the 8 o’clock service; a continental breakfast is provided and served by the Hospitality Committee each Sunday morning following the 8 a.m. service; a formal Baptismal Service is held on the Wednesday night before each 4th Sunday and a systematic Bible Study Ministry is held weekly on all other Wednesday nights; Fund Raising Programs have been deleted and the church subscribes to “Tithes and Offerings” – the biblical plan for the church’s financing; “Fund Raising Groups” were made “Fellowship Groups”; and each fifth Sunday in the year is Youth Sunday, with the youth in charge of the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services.
Under the direction of our pastor’s wife, Nella V. Franklin, 10 groups have been formed within the Missionary Department: the Lydia Circle, Ruth Circle, Dorcas Circle, Junior Red Circle, Sunshine Band, Anna Circle, Acteens, Pioneers, Crusaders, and the Brotherhood. They are committed to studying God’s word and reaching the lost, in addition to acting on the needs of “the least of these” through the WMU outreach program. The Missionary Department has sponsored many workshops for the benefit of the entire Church including Discipleship Training Ministry workshops, and Prayer Exercise Ministry sessions three times per year in which prayer warriors, song leaders and scripture readers come together to pray for the concerns of the congregation. The Pioneers and Crusaders comprise the Brotherhood’s Royal Ambassadors Program which is designed for the boys of the Church between the ages of 7 and 16.
The Golden Agers Fellowship was organized in late 1986 by Pastor Franklin because he felt a need for the older members to come together for fellowship. Currently, the Fellowship meets each fifth Saturday.
Since 1988, under the direction of our Pastor, the Second Baptist Scholarship Committee has sponsored an annual College Fair to help high school students learn how to get accepted in college and how to get funds to attend college. The Scholarship Committee also provides funds for high school graduates who are members of Second Baptist and have been accepted at institutions of higher learning. During the past few years, a Tutorial Project has been conducted to help junior high students prepare for the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test. In 1994, the Tutorial Project was expanded to include students in grades three through six. The younger students are tutored in math, reading and test taking skills.
In 1992, the church sponsored its first Oratorical Contest. The Contest currently is an annual event with the youth delivering oratories on topics related to Christian responsibility and growth.
The Annual Youth Talent Services, begun in 1992, have been overwhelmingly successful. At least 75 youngsters participate in each service during which they share their musical, oratorical, dramatic and literary talents. Subsequently, because of her infinitesimal sensitivity to the need for development of our youth, and her dedication to their personal growth as well as their use of their spiritual gifts, in 1993, our Pastor, supported by the Church, proclaimed the 3rd Sunday in September of each year as The Hazel M. Gardner Youth Talent Day.
In 1992, members of the congregation who were interested in becoming Substance Abuse Counselors began receiving training. In late 1994, a special telephone hotline was installed so that Second Baptist Church Substance Abuse Counselors can provide a 24-hour referral service to the community. The Substance Abuse Ministry has sponsored outdoor educational events in the community, and has further expanded its educational services to include brief presentations to the Sunday Church School on each fifth Sunday.
In 1998, a Married Couples Ministry was established, and the First Female Trustees were appointed to the Board. Also in 1998, in response to the growing needs and sophistication of our youth, the pastor proposed and the congregation endorsed the establishment of the Youth Department. A Saturday afternoon Reading Program began in 2004 under the auspices of the Youth Department to help to enhance the reading and writing skills of our young people.
The turn of the century found us with additional new and exciting ministries dedicated to serving the church and the community. The King’s Men, a group of men between the ages of 18 and 55, are in perpetual training to providentially become officers and leaders. The Mens & Womens Praise Teams are ministries which perpetuate sacred music sung to the glory of God for the edification of man. And, the Liturgical Dance Ministry enhances worship in the beauty, sanctity and sacredness of divine holiness.
In addition to his pastoral duties at Second Baptist Church Southwest, Reverend Franklin is a member of the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of D.C. and Vicinity where he serves on the Board of Evangelism; the Missionary Baptist Convention of D.C. and Vicinity, where he serves on the Board of Trustees as President over the Southwest region; the Southwest Ministers’ Alliance; the Board of Trustees of the Washington Baptist Seminary; and the Southwest Ministers’ Alliance. He is also President-Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the Nannie Helen Burroughs Scholarship Fund, Inc.
In 1983, Reverend Franklin received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Virginia Seminary and College in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Mrs. Franklin is a member of the Baptist Ministers Wives and Widows Association of D.C. and Vicinity.
Second Baptist Church Southwest holds membership in the Progressive National Baptist Convention, The Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist World Alliance.