The Beginning: Stepping out on Faith
1881
The first known effort to organize a Negro Baptist Church in Media, Pennsylvania was made in about the year 1881. This effort failed. During this time, the Negro Baptists in Media enjoyed worshipping with First Baptist Church of Media brothers and sisters. The desire to have their own church remained strong and efforts continued.
Early records of the now successful Second Baptist Church at 400 East State Street an Manchester Avenue show that two men, Brother Hardin Newman and Brother Joseph C. Parker, rented what was then know as fifth street Hall for the purpose of conducting prayer meetings. The effort lasted only a short while.
1891
Ten years later, in 1891, a second attempt was made when a Cottage Prayer Meeting was started in the home of Daniel Ricks on North Olive Street, Media, Pennsylvania. These meetings were attended by Lucy Williamson, Birdie Pinkerd, John Plenty, John walker,
Jasper Randolph, P. R. Berkley and Daniel Ricks. After a short time, the prayer meeting was moved to the home of William H. and Lucy Williamson, 409 South Plum Street, Media Pennsylvania. After three years and a steady growth, the group was advised by Rev. Patton of Morton, Pennsylvania to establish a treasury and thus a financial effort began. Upon deciding to raise money thirty eight dollars was collected.
1894
In 1894, the Rev. P. R. Berkley, a Field Missionary of the Pennsylvania State Convention came to Media and Fifth Street Hall, and there he continued to do missionary for about three months. At this time, Rev. Berkley and those working along with him deemed it necessary to organize as a “Church.” On December 14, 1894, the congregation decided to organize a church and named Rev. Berkley, pastor: Brother Daniel Ricks, treasurer; and Sister Birdie Pinkered, clerk.
1897-1899
In 1897 the first baptismal service was performed in Broomall’s Dam. The members baptized were: Margaret Newman, Anna Newman, W. Ball and two others whose names were not available.
A Council of Baptist Churches from the Philadelphia are, West Chester, Chester, Morton and Media, met on January 21 1898 and created the Second Baptist Church of Media, Pennsylvania, Specific churches included in the venture were: First Baptist Church of Media, First Baptist Church of Lansdowne, First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, and Shiloh Baptist Church of Philadelphia. The meeting was held at the First Baptist Church of Media.
The property at the southeast corner of State Street and Manchester Avenue was purchased by William and Lucy Williamson and was given to the Trustees of the church (Nathan Kelson, Samuel Todd, William Hall and Cornelius Johnson) on April 12, 1898. The undertaking of this project required considerable financing. As a means of acquiring much needed funds, William Williamson, and early deacon, was very successful in raising large sums of money from many business persons of Media. The money was given to the church during Sunday collection.
Under the Rev. Berkley’s pastorate, the church continued to grow. After five years the church treasury had grown to $1,056.07. In September, 1898, Rev. Berkley resigned from the church leaving the congregation without a leader. For the interim, the congregation secured the services of ministers from local churches. During this period, the maintenance of church functions and duties were difficult, but nevertheless God’s grace was sufficient to help the congregation to endure its trials and tribulations and overcome its hardships and moments of despair. In 1899, Elder George L. Davis became pastor of the Church.
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