OUR HISTORY
On Saturday, March 23, 1872, a four member council of ministers convened at the Baptist Meeting House of Bloomington, Indiana to constitute the Second Baptist Church of Bloomington.
After organizing with 11 charter members, the church body selected six deacons to serve the newly organized fellowship of believers Later, according to the papers filed at the Monroe County Clerk’s office, Patrick Higgins sold the land (located on the northeast corner of 8th and Rogers Streets) on October 18th, 1873, for one hundred fifty dollars to the Second Baptist Church. Even though the land was purchased shortly after the settlers came together, they worshipped in the homes of interested persons for eighteen years. In 1890, they built a frame structure on the northeast corner of 8th and Rogers Streets. Rev. Henson was called to be the first pastor in 1890. Mrs. Amanda Ghan was the first candidate for baptism and was baptized in a pond west of Bloomington.
Including Rev. Henson, the church has had 18 pastors since its founding. Of these, two should be noted.
First, the Rev. Moses M. Porter, who came from the Second Baptist Church, Bedford, IN, accepted the “call” and became the pastor in 1907. In 1913, Pastor Porter lent the church $4,000 of his personal funds to assist the small faithful congregation in the purchase of the property on the southwest corner of 8th & Rogers (the present location of the church) and led in the building of the beautiful stone structure at a cost of $40,000. It was the first church built of stone by African Americans in Indiana. Samuel Plato, an African American from Louisville, Kentucky, was the architect. Thomas Gordon donated the stone and hauled it by horse and wagon. Rev. Porter’s 45 years of service came to a closein 1952 with his passing.
The second pastor of note is the Rev. Dr. Ernest D. Butler, who came from the First Baptist Church, Noblesville, IN. After 43 years of service, on Sunday, October 20th, 2002 Rev. E.D. Butler
delivered his final sermon. Rev. Butler was named the first pastor emeritus of Second Baptist Church and died in April 200 3. His wife Mary L. Butler succumbed one month later.
The current pastor, Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Rose, came to the church in March 2003 as interim pastor, and in June 2003 was selected
as the 18th pastor.
COVENANT
body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
We also, engage to maintain family and private devotions in our homes; to educate our children from God's Word; to seek the salvation of our children, other kindred, friends and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; and be honest, fair, and just in our dealings and exemplary in our behavior. We agree to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and unrighteous anger; to abstain from the unlawful sale and use of intoxicants and narcotic drugs; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in Christian love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate courtesy in speech and conduct; to be slow always to take offense, and ever ready to forgive and be reconciled; to be mindful of the rules of life taught by our Savior in avoiding discord, speedily securing agreement and restoration of harmony and Christian fellowship.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other Bible-believing church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
Prayer List
Pray for these throughout the week and remember that where there is a church with no prayer, there is no power; where there is a church with little prayer there is little power; but a church with much prayer has much power!"
Keep In Prayer
The Johnson Family, The Nicholas Ross Family, The Wyatt Johnson Family, Jennifer Williamson, Janice Helton, Jennifer Williamson, The Lydia Stewart Family, Krista Wright, The Bonnie Bing Family, Todd Roberts, The Portia Chandler Family including Jolene Wright and Suzanne Faulk, Leo Guzman, Jesus Ortiz Guzman, Serafin Coronel Molina, Rudy Jones, Carter Cole, Ethel Cole, Lisa Stieglitz, Lola Thompson, Alonzo Collins, Maria Coronel, Michael Dabney, Arletha Dabney, Jordan Shifriss, Keith Barnard, June Drake, Percy Webb, Marlene Griffin.
Keep In Prayer
Lloyce Jefferson, The Delsie Boddie Family, The Deacon Shipp Family, The Sylvester Kyles Family, The Deacon Cleveland Thomas Family, Pastor Rose, James Hopkins, Cassandra Hines, The Hoye Family, The Louis DeBowles Family, The Marie Rose Abrams Family, The Barry Harper Family, Beverly Dabney, Rev. Terry and Yvonne Saturday, Cheryl Scarbrough-Cosey, The Ethel Cole Family, Tyrone Morris, The Suzanne Faulk Family, The Elizabeth Stratton Family, The Perry Family, The Chamberlain Family, Michael Dabney, Larry Brown, Lisa Harrison, the Incarcerated, and US Troops & Families And all impacted by the COVID-19 virus.