SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, a long-standing religious institution in Jefferson City, Missouri, has remained a beacon illuminating the path of those who have sought salvation, liberty, freedom, and other elements of “the good life.”

The year 1859 signals its historic origin and beginning when Reverend Emanuel Cartwright, complying with an urgent request, came to Jefferson City to preach the funeral of one Julia Brock, a black member of the City’s First Baptist Church. At that time, the “colored people” who were slaves worshipped at the predominantly white First Baptist Church. Following the funeral of Julia Brock, Reverend Cartwright held a series of meetings which continued for several weeks, and under his preaching some 50 to 60 persons were “converted.”

In 1860, the white members concluded that the then slave worshippers should have their own pastor and in answer to a request, Reverend Silas Woodson was sent from St. Louis to take charge of this group. However, because of the excitement of the times resulting from the agitation of slavery, the slave worshippers were not permitted to hold meetings unless some white members were present. Disillusioned with these conditions, “the colored congregation” grew restless under such restraints, called a meeting of their own and elected five deacons who also were elected trustees. The group held worship services for some time in a small frame building near Jefferson and Main Streets, and later in a stone church west of the Madison Hotel. This building was soon closed to them by its owner, the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Cartwright continued to visit the group once a month, and when he did not attend, the deacons conducted the worship services.

Beginning in 1863 the growth of the congregation is recorded in some detail. Though small, the membership decided to buy a building then known as Scottsworth Hall near Main and Monroe Streets for $1,150. The membership grew. In 1865, they exchanged that property for the present site, and chose the name SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.

Historic Link – Second Baptist Church And Lincoln University

In 1867, Rev. Cartwright continued his monthly visits and baptized new members in the creek on Elm. Street between Adams and Monroe Streets (about a block east of the Church’s present location). One of these baptisms included a new member whose identity highlights the historical link between Second Baptist and Lincoln University: Private Logan A. Bennett, one of the last survivors of the 62nd U. S. Colored Infantry which together with the 65th Infantry, gave money toward the establishment of LINCOLN INSTITUTE (1886) Following his baptism, Mr. Bennett, a lifelong resident of Jefferson City, was ordained as a deacon and later became treasurer of the Church. It is recorded that in the capacity of “FIRST SUPERINTENDENT of Second Baptist Church Sunday School,” he walked alone to what is now “Bald Hill Road” to cut down the FIRST Christmas tree for the Church’s holiday observance. This Founder of Lincoln University began a lasting association, since many Lincoln University students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni continue to serve Second Baptist in numerous capacities, such as Deacons, Trustees, Mission workers, Sunday School teachers/officer, Ushers, Choir/Chorus members/directors, Ministries (including Drama and Liturgical Dance), and Musicians. In 1873, only two “colored churches” existed in Jefferson City: The African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Second Baptist Church. They held “Union Sunday School”—the Baptists in the morning and the Methodists in the afternoon. Joining the workers who shared their scriptural beliefs with the worshippers in these Sunday School meetings were white teachers Richard Baxter Foster, Jacob Faucett, and Miss Fannie McClurg, the daughter of Governor McClurg.

It is recorded that following the example of the dedicated early slave organizers, in 1894, Second Baptist leadership and membership adhered to a policy of special care for the edifice in which they expressed their worship of the God they served with the building of a stained-glass window structure which housed the congregation for more than 75 years. The present membership in Second Baptist includes seven generations from Maggie Henderson who was one of the organizers of the early Church.

In 1970, the building which had housed the congregation since 1894 was demolished. A contract for a new structure was let to Trice Construction Company, and the edifice in which the membership now worships was built. This project was completed under the pastorate of Reverend Harreld N. Nance, whose service to Second Baptist was memorialized when in May 1971 (one month after this building was completed), his was the first funeral to be held in the new sanctuary.

In September of that same year, Mrs. Estella Branham Diggs, a long-time member, deeded her Ashley Street house to the Church to be used as a parsonage. One month later, Mrs. Diggs died at the age of 98.

In September 1981, the Church celebrated a “MORTGAGE-BURNING SUNDAY”. Second Baptist had liquidated a 20-year mortgage in just ten (10) years under the pastorate of Reverend David O. Shipley, Sr.

Succession Of Pastors/Ministers, 1859-Present

Rev. Emanuel Cartwright (1859-Revisits); Rev. Silas Woodson (1860); Rev. Albert Nelson (1869); Rev. Gabriel Gray (1873); Rev. H. H. White; Rev. Atwater (first name not recorded); Rev. Richard York; Rev. (Bishop) H. J. Burton (1879-1885); Rev. S. P. Lewis (1886-1887); Rev. B. F. Ratliff (1887); Rev. J. S. Dorsey (1888-1899); Rev. John Goins (1900-1905); Rev. J. T. Gaston, M.D. (1905-1913); Rev. John Goins (1913-1917: Accepted second call); Rev. (Dr.) E. L. Scruggs (1918-1926); Rev. Lewis Dexter Hardiman (1927-1933); Rev. A. Wendell Ross (1933-1936); Rev. Joseph H. Jackson (1933:Called); Rev. Charles Bertram Johnson (1937-1958); Rev. Edgar L. Reid (1958-1965); Rev. T. Maynard Preston (1965-1966); Rev. Harreld N. Nance (1967-1971); Rev. David Oliver Shipley, Sr. (1972-1982); Rev. Spencer M. Roberts (1982-1992); Rev. Philip Rodman (1992); Rev. Cornell Charles Sudduth, Sr. (1993-2022); Rev. W. T. Edmonson, Sr., Interim Pastor (January, 2023-Present)

In 1958, while the Church officers and congregation were considering the offer of a call to another minister after the death of Rev. Johnson (who had pastored for 20 years), Rev. B. Daniel Clater, early director of Baptist Student Union (BSU, Lincoln University) and Rev. James Carter helped to “hold the Church together” by conducting worship services during those times.

In 1993, for a period of about 11 months, Second Baptist Church was without a pastor. During that period, as the membership prayerfully searched for a spiritual leader, the congregation was ministered to by many servants of God, chief among whom were Rev. William A. Givens and Rev. Craig Galbreath.

Looking towards the 21st Century, Second Baptist called the Reverend Cornell Charles Sudduth, Sr., as its 25th pastor. Under his leadership Second Baptist extended its ministry to include: Revitalization of mid-week services; the establishment of new ministries; regular combined and exchange worship with local and area churches; constant ministerial visits to pray with the sick, the shut-in, and the bereaved (irrespective of their religious beliefs); regular involvement of youth; modernization of the sanctuary, offices, and foyer; and the embracing of Christian Education. This last emphasis led to Pastor Sudduth being re-elected successively from Fourth to First Vice-President of Missouri State Congress of Christian Education. In addition, under Pastor Sudduth’s ministry, additional property was purchased for the expansion of the Church.

Rev. Sudduth resigned in December, 2022. Currently, Rev. W. T. Edmonson, Sr., who served in the capacity of Assistant Minister, graciously accepted the call to serve as Interim Pastor of Second Baptist Church, while the church is in search for a new spiritual leader.