First Missionary Baptist Church in Leetsdale celebrates 135th anniversary

Congregants of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Leetsdale are celebrating an impressive milestone.

The house of worship along Beaver Street marked its 135th anniversary in August.

About 15 to 20 people throughout Allegheny County make a weekly trek to the 1.1-square-mile borough, climb nearly 20 concrete steps and go through a white, wooden door with a stained glass cross to attend Sunday morning service led by the Rev. Thelma Jackson.

“The spirit is really alive in this church,” said Jackson, who has been pastor for about two years. “There might not be a whole bunch of members filling up these pews, but the spirit of God is always in here. Praise and worshiping is a big thing here.”

Sunday school is scheduled from 9:30-10:30 a.m. with services starting at 11 a.m.

Jackson took over the leadership role following the passing of her husband, the Rev. Melvin T. Jackson Jr., who was pastor from April 2019 until his death in January 2022. He was 75.

Church historian Sharon C. Patterson of Sewickley echoed the reverend’s sentiments about the church.

“It has beautiful people in it,” she said. “Everybody is like a family, and it’s always had a great spirit of joy and happiness.”

Patterson, 76, said she had been a part of the church since birth. She was baptized there and followed in her mother, Ambridge resident Nora Yokley’s footsteps, as the church historian chronicling First Missionary and its members’ major developments.

“It has impacted me from knowing the people that come through these doors and keeping up with them,” Patterson said. “I do the history (at a special service) every August.”

Patterson admits her notes are not as thorough as her mother’s volumes.

“She had everything from who bought a napkin,” Patterson said. Yokley passed away in November 2018. She was 91.

Church history

Church documents indicate it was founded by William and Maria Robinson in 1889.

The couple had moved to the area from Jefferson, Ohio, years earlier with their children, Joseph, Philip, George, Walter and Sadie. They were the first African Americans to join what was at the time an all-white Baptist church along Beaver Street in Fair Oaks.

Leetsdale was incorporated in 1904.

First Missionary Baptist Church was originally located along Third Street. Its first pastor was the Rev. J.C. Taylor and there were many pastors in its first 47 years, according to its records.

Tragedy struck in 1936 when the church building was washed away by the St. Patrick’s Day flood.

Joseph Robinson was able to make arrangements with building owner Marcus Stoner and moved the congregation to its current location. They paid no rent and gave a dozen roses to the Stoner family each year.

The first pastor of the relocated church was Rev. James H. Hayes of Homestead. He served from 1936-1942.

The Rev. Hubert Goodman of Pittsburgh served from 1943-46, followed by the Rev. William Evans of Ambridge from March 1947 until his death on Jan. 13, 1969.

New pews, pulpit, furniture, rugs, restrooms, kitchen and other upgrades were made during Evans’ tenure.

In April 1961, Deacons Madison Johnson and James P. Russell Jr. met with owner Eva Stoner Moore to inquire about purchasing the church. It was formally paid for in September 1966 and a mortgage burning service was held in June 1967.

The Rev. Robert Wall took over in January 1970 and served for 28 years. There were major renovations during that time including a new HVAC system, walkway to the side of the church and new retaining wall.

Programs were also expanded with the first vacation Bible school in 1972.

The Rev. Melvin Gerard Rippy became its new pastor in December 1998. Membership increased and the deacon board was revitalized.

Six deacons were ordained. First Missionary also added three deaconesses and four associate ministers during Rippy’s tenure.

The downstairs office areas were dedicated in memory of member Sarah E. Quarrles and the dining area was named the W.E. Evans Fellowship Hall.

Rippy left in 2004. He was succeeded by Rev. Frederick White followed by Rev. Sidney Walker and then Rev. Bryan Crawl in 2014.

New steps and landing pavement as well as a new speaker system were part of the renovations between 2014 to March 2018 when Crawl left to serve in another church.

Enter the Jackson family. The church’s pulpit committee selected Jackson Jr. out of several candidates from the Allegheny Union Baptist Association.

He led the congregation through the covid-19 pandemic. He continued services and Bible study on Zoom until the church was able to reopen.

He and his wife had been at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Aliquippa as well as Calvary Baptist Church and Ebenezer Baptist Church, both in Pittsburgh, prior to Leetsdale.

Church proclamation

Borough officials recently commended the Rev. Thelma Jackson and several of her flock for the church’s longevity.

Mayor Sandra Ford presented them with a proclamation at the Sept. 12 council meeting.

“I think it’s wonderful and it’s a landmark for Leetsdale,” Ford said. “It’s the last standing church in Leetsdale and we want to hang on to it. I know a lot of the members.”

Ford also proclaimed Aug. 18 as “First Missionary Baptist Church Day.”

Jackson said it isn’t often a church gets recognized by its local government.

“We were proud, and we stood up because we were proud,” Jackson said. “We realize that is not a religious group, but they recognized us as being a religious group. That’s awesome because today it’s not going so well these days with people recognizing faith-based churches. There is a great falling away from these churches.”

Deaconess MaryJane Jones-Gilliam of Ambridge has been with the church at least 10 years. The former Leetsdale resident said she felt a calling to join First Missionary.

“I believe that I was led here by the spirit of God to be here to do a work,” said Jones-Gilliam, who also serves as praise and worship team member and church clerk.

She said the church’s strong foundation and feeling of family are keys to its longevity.

The congregation has been unable to have a formal celebration due to scheduling and members’ vacations.

They hope to plan something grand in the next few months.