Church History 

  

 In the year 1872 a group of baptized Christian believers formed and organized, under the leadership of Rev. Andrew Jackson, the Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church. As the first meetings were held in an old building, located in what is now the Heart of Wilson Motel, an adequate place of worship became the first order of business. A lot was purchased in the 500 block of East Barnes Street and an edifice was built. On this site, under the leadership of five pastors including Rev. Jackson, Rev. Clark, Rev. Ward, Rev. Woodard and Rev. Fred Davis, the church grew tremendously. After 35 years of progress at the Barnes Street location the church purchased land on what is now the corner of East Nash and Pender Street to build a larger edifice for the expanding religious programs.

The Rev. M.A. Tally was the pastor when this great task of building a new edifice began. A few months after Booker T. Washington laid the first brick, the church congregation was marching from the old sanctuary to the new sanctuary singing “Onward Christian Soldiers.” The building was dedicated to the glory of God in 1913 and the mortgage was burned in 1919. God continued His great work through Rev. A.L. Weeks, Rev. Spurgeon Davis, Rev. P.P. Watson, Rev. J.A. Mebane, and Rev. B.F. Jordan. During Rev. Jordan’s tenure the church built and paid for the parsonage on East Nash Street.

Rev. Fred Davis was called upon again to serve as the pastor of this great church and He was followed by the Rev. Talmage A. Watkins, Rev. Randolph Thompson, and Rev. J.D. Ellis. Rev. Talmage A. Watkins assumed the leadership mantle a second time and served another 18 years and kept Jackson Chapel on the cutting edge of the civil rights movement in America and became a community leader and activist. He was honored and given the title Pastor Emeritus on July 28, 1996. Rev. Dr. Gregory T. Headen followed as the next pastor and many innovative projects and activities were undertaken from September 1990 to February 1994.

In October 1994, Rev. Dr. Darryl T. Canady was called to pastor our great church. Under his leadership as a “visionary shepherd,” the church has progressed steadily in all phases. Under his leadership several hundred people have joined our ministry, the budget has more than tripled and over 25 new ministries and special programs have been started. God gave Pastor Canady a vision called the “Block of Hope” to help restore the dignity and hope of the surrounding community. Through this vision the church is assisting in three major areas that are affecting our community: education, employment, and economic development. Under his leadership the church purchased the surrounding properties and built a $1.5 million dollar educational complex, totally renovated the fellowship hall, and paved the parking lot. Additionally, the church has become incorporated, adopted new bylaws, ordained thirteen new deacons (including six women), licensed five new ministers (including four women), ordained six new ministers (including four women), added a full-time minister of music, a part-time youth pastor, partnered with other churches and community agencies to provide job-skill training, literacy classes, an after-school program, and received community and state recognition for the “Block of Hope” vision.

 “For unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:48

 More Space…More Ministries…More Facilities…More Responsibilities

       “To God be the Glory”