Church History
The St. Baptist church of Lakeview
was born out of prayer in the home of Mrs. Ellen Cooper
of Lakeview in the year 1925. After prayer and deliberation
it was resolved that the church should be organized in this
community. In 1926, a meeting was called of all interested
parties and Reverend Benjamin Agnew presided. Leading members
of Shiloh Baptist Church of Rockville Centre, New York were
asked to sit in at the meeting. The first members were the
following:
+ Decon & Mrs. William
Gillespie
+ Bro. & Sis. Alexander Dames
+ Bro. Sylvanus & Cleotilda Williams
+ Rev. & Sis. Herman
Lynch
+ Bro. & Sis. Henry Miller
+ Bro. John Cooper
+ Sis. Ellen Cooper
+ Sis. Susan Holley
+ Sis. Maude Walker
The land on which the original building
was built was at the corner of Saranac Road and Chautauqua
Avenue. This plot was donated by Bro. & Sis. Dames.
These pioneers literally built the church with Rev. Agnew
as a first Pastor. The church was incorporated under the
laws of the State of New York on July 5, 1927. The name
was suggested by Sis. Cecilia Dames and Mother Cooper. The
church moved forward for over fifty years, experiencing
the growing pains of a new church. During this period of
time, thirteen preachers server as Pastor of St. Johns.
They were:
+ Rev. B. H. Agnew
+ Rev. Charles Cooper
+ Rev. Cobb
+ Rev. Banks
+ Rev. B. J. Singleton
+ Rev. William Gillesie
+ Rev. Borwner
+ Rev. B. H. Dukes
+ Rev. M. A. Mitchell
+ Rev. Charles Walker
+ Rev. G. W. Ward
+ Rev. C. W. Calhoun
+ Rev. Thomas L. Coles, Sr.
Notably, during these years, there
were those who came over from Shiloh and St. Paul A.M.E
to help the fledgling church. Among them were Deacon B.
J. Singleton, who later was ordained and became Pastor and
Bro. Leir Chapman who volunteered to be Superintendent of
the Sunday school. In the late sixties and early seventies,
it became apparent that the little Cottage Church was no
longer adequate. Building funds were started which culminated
in the breaking of ground for the present edifice in 1978.
We turned the key in '83 and began worshipping on the lower
level as progress continued on the completion of the main
sanctuary. On Easter Sunday in 1985 we held our first worship
service in the present sanctuary. While the corner stone
was laid on November 27, 1955, a second corner stone dedication
was held November 6, 1994. Now in its eightieth year, St.
John's Baptist Church has ordained and licensed a number
of its sons and daughters to the preach Gospel. In the great
struggle, the church has come this far trusting in God.
In October of 1987, the present Pastor, Rev. William Earl
Thomas was called to the Pastorate. Under his leadership,
the church has continued to grow spiritually and physically.
We pray for the Lord's continued blessing of our church,
our Pastor and the Congregation.
