History of Christ Baptist Church
“The Second Baptist Church of the City of Burlington”
According to the recorded history of our Church, which we have received and acknowledged prior to the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Black Baptists of the Burlington area were members of the First Baptist Church located on the west side of Broad Street at Stacy Street in Burlington City.
The relationship between Black and white members was not one of hostility, but amiable and quite good with none of the typical racial tension that followed in the nation some years thereafter. However, it was the desire of some of the Black congregates to have a fellowship of their own with some degree of self-determination. Thus, the Second Baptist Church was born on February 23, 1863 by the setting apart of twelve members of the First Baptist Church.
Our twelve courageous founders were Alexander Tariff, Clara Jacobs, Hiran Cornish, Nancy Cornish, Mary Meredith, Robert Laws, Louisa Laws, Susan Carter, Ester Simmons, John Romeo, Peter Still, and Lavinia Still. This was a momentous occasion, commencing just 53 days after Abraham Lincoln signed the long awaited Emancipation Proclamation.
The first pastor called to feed this fledgling flock in July of 1863 was the Reverend Kelsey Walling, who remained in this position for eight years. The Church with its new visionary, Pastor Walling met from house to house conducting Church and Sunday school. Under his leadership, the Church acquired a permanent structure for the newly formed congregation.
In 1871 until 1878, Reverend James E. Wilson was called to the Pastorate during which the Church prospered and grew in membership, necessitating the rebuilding of the edifice.
The Reverend Evans Davis became Pastor on October 13, 1878. In the succession of Pastors, Reverend J. B. Randolph served from 1882 to 1894. Pastor Randolph led in a program to acquire ground and erect a building. They found a desirable lot on High Street opposite Belmont Street. In attempting to build the new church, all of the members pitched in according to their respective talents. Pastor Randolph and Deacon Charles Carter were both carpenters and blessed the Church with their services. With other members of the Church, they built the new edifice within one year and laid the cornerstone in 1891.
From 1894 to 1899 Reverend W. Henry Sherwood served as Pastor, continuing to lead and feed the flock.
In 1905 Reverend C. H. Baxter was called as Pastor and served until his death in 1907.
Reverend C. H. Anderson, joining the Church in 1901, served as Interim Pastor on many occasions and acted as an assistant when a Pastor was called.
On July 10, 1907, Reverend F. B. Tilghman was called and served until 1911. It was at this time and during his Pastorate that the process of incorporation was undertaken.
Also during this time, the Church affiliated itself with the Bethany Baptist Association. The mortgage was burned August 11, 1908.
On March 30, 1910, Reverend Joseph Askis, an Ordained Minister of the Church, and seven other members residing in Florence, New Jersey, asked for their letter for the purpose of organizing a new Baptist Church in Florence. Those requesting individuals were the Reverend Joseph Askis, Henry Davis, George Chatmen, Jennie Chatmen, Robert Jefferson, Moses Johnson and Mary Johnson. In March 31, 1910 a Mission was set apart in the public library by the Second Baptist Church under Reverend Tilghman. This mission became known as the St. Paul Baptist Church of Florence, New Jersey.
- Reverend Malcolm Foster served from December 3, 1911 to 1913.
- Reverend A. C. Skinner served from July 2, 1913 to 1915.
- Reverend J. B. Randolph returned to the Pastorate in 1915 and remained Pastor until 1920.
- Reverend Hosea Pinckney served from 1920 to 1923.
- Reverend A. Gordon served from February 1923 to 1925. He raised and remodeled the entire interior of the church and installed electric lighting.
- Reverend Henry T. McCrary served from January 1, 1926 to 1928.
- Reverend C. L. Taylor served from 1929 to 1931.
- Reverend C. David Foster served from 1931 to 1933.
- Reverend B. H. Stanley served from 1933 to1935.
In November 1936, Reverend W. I. Wright became the Pastor. During his tenure, the mortgage was burned on December 3, 1941. Also during his Pastorate:
- On November 27, 1945, a house was bought at 20 East Federal Street, Burlington, NJ.
- On January 27, 1947, the adjoining house was purchased. The two houses were remolded and built into one in 1948. The new addition was put on the back of the Church in March 1950.
- On December 18, 1953, a new Baptismal Pool was installed.
- On February 16, 1958, a bronze plaque was dedicated in memory of the Founding Members.
On December 27, 1960, the following members of the Second Baptist Church living in Tabernacle, New Jersey, asked for their letters to form a Church in Tabernacle. They were Rosa Chambers, Susie Legrande, Florence Jones, Mildred Johnson, Lucile Hopkins, Dorothy Legrande, Elizabeth Barry, and Algin Grant. In July 1961 they were set apart as a Church. On November 1, 1961, a new title was laid.
In May of 1964, Reverend W. I. Wright was called from labor to reward after many fruitful years in the service of the Lord, thus ending his leadership from 1936 to 1964.
Reverend L. Earl Tolbert served from 1964 to 1969. Under his leadership, the church, seeing the inevitable need for expansion, purchased property adjacent to its parsonage on Federal Street. A commercial building on the property was immediately renovated to serve as the education, recreation, and all purpose facility of the church. This building was dedicated to God’s Service in memory of the much loved late Pastor, Reverend W. I. Wright. Organization of the Advisory Board contributed significantly to the efficacious handling of the Church’s Administrative responsibilities.
In June of 1970, the Reverend J. H. Tucker was called as the twenty-first Pastor of the Second Baptist Church. Altar Call was introduced to the Church at the time.
The Christian Crusade Choir was organized and other choirs were reactivated, adding to the service of the faithful Senior Choir. Construction of the Church Library was begun with a view of providing the membership with a reservoir of resource literature which would enhance academic and spiritual growth.
On September 14, 1973, under the leadership of our Interim Pastor Reverend James M. Wiltshire, the Church adopted its constitution.
In November of 1975, the Reverend Frederick C. Johnson assumed the pulpit of Second Baptist Church, having accepted the call to the Pastorate.
During the Pastorate of Reverend Johnson, the Church purchased nearly fifteen acres of land at 950 Jacksonville Road in Burlington, NJ, which Trustee Johnathan Harris was instrumental in initiating.
Construction of the new Church edifice on that property was completed in October of 1989. We moved into our new Church on the first Sunday in December of 1989. The mortgage was paid off and burned in 1998.
Our Church name was appended at the January 19, 1998 church meeting, to Christ Baptist Church, The Second Baptist Church of the City of Burlington.
Reverend Johnson licensed, ordained, commissioned or installed to the Pastorate more than fifty Ministers within the Gospel Ministry. Under his Pastorate, the Church adopted many missionary outreach programs that provide financial and volunteer support to Christian outreach ministries locally and internationally. These include, but are not limited to:
- The Helping Hand Rescue Mission that serves the homeless and others in great need in Philadelphia, Pa.
- The Christ Baptist Church of Rajahmundry, India where 60 Pastors are being supported under the name of the Christ Baptist Association.
- Our Gifts of Love outreach that provides food and other needed supplies in the local area and overseas.
- The Cornerstone Christian Academy in Philadelphia, Pa.
- Youth Achievers’ Committee of Burlington County.
- True Light Ministry International, through which we sent 200 pounds of rice, monthly to orphanages in Liberia, Africa.
- Strings of Love, Haiti, which is our missionary outreach to Dame Marie Baptist Church and it’s satellites in Haiti, where last year, a delegation from Christ Baptist Church visited and preached the Gospel, delivered 41 goats, 501 pairs of new sneakers, 50 Personal hygiene kits for girls, 96 solar lights, hosted a two day Diabetic Awareness and Screening Clinic and enjoyed rich fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters in Haiti.
- We also regularly and joyfully continue to visit the sick and shut in, serve Communion, and offer fellowship at the area Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Jails and Prisons that the Word of The Lord, the love of God and the comfort of the Holy Spirit may continue to reach and encourage others, all to the glory of God.
Since February 2017, Rev. Clabon Bogan, Jr., answered the call to serve as our Interim Pastor during a challenging time of transition. Under Pastor Bogan’s leadership, there have been numerous significant enhancements that have permitted us to not only continue, but to augment the great work being done at Christ Baptist Church. Some of the enhancements made during his short time with us include:
- The purchase and installation of a new state of the art sound system;
- The construction of a sound engineering booth in the rear of the Church;
- Remodeling of the pulpit area of the Church;
- Creation of a full-service nursery room;
- The combination of the W.R Wright and Angelic Choirs into a new Mass Choir;
- Reformation of the Men’s Choir;
- Greater inclusion of and outreach to our youth through:
– Creation of the Young Adult Choir
– Creation of our first-ever praise dancing team
– Creation of “Youth Speak” (a recurring program where each month a different young person is selected to address the congregation in his or her own words on a topic assigned by the Pastor)
- Greater visibility and involvement in the local Christian community through increased visitations and invitations to other churches;
- Participation in conferences and Mighty Man Boot camp;
- Effectuated Affiliation with NBC USA Inc and Lott Cary Conventions
- Hosting leadership conferences;
- Feeding the Homeless Ministry;
- Creation of a First Aid Room;
- Instituted International Day (Celebration of Members from 11 Countries);
- Creation of the Church’s website;
- Introduction into the use of social media;
- Adoption of a new Church Constitution; and
- Live-streaming of Church services, Bible Studies and Prayer Meetings.
In August 2021, Rev. Johnathan M. Wilson was elected Senior Pastor of Christ Baptist Church. Under his pastorate Our Audio-Visual System was enhanced and a new Audio-Visual Director was hired. Also a Financial Officer’s position was created to maximize the efficiency with which the Church’s financial data is processed.
In September 2022, Rev. Clabon Bogan, Jr. returned as Interim Senior Pastor. Since his return, he has established a leadership training group for young people entitled, “8:28.” He also introduced a 12 Hour Leadership Enhancement Seminar in January 2023. Pastor Bogan continues to lead, guide and direct us in the way of The Lord.
Roster of Pastors
Rev. Kelsey Walling – 1863 – 1871
Rev. James E. Wilson – 1871 – 1878
Rev. Evans Davis – 1878 – 1882
Rev. J. B. Randolph – 1882 – 1894
Rev. Smallwood – 1894 – 1899
Rev. Henry Sherwood – 1900 – 1905
Rev. C. H. Baxter – 1905 – 1907
Rev. F. B. Tilghman – 1907 – 1911
Rev. Macon Foster – 1911 – 1913
Rev. A. C. Skinner – 1913 – 1915
Rev. J. B. Randolph – 1915 – 1920 (returned)
Rev. Hosea Pinckney – 1920 – 1923
Rev. A. Gordon – 1923 – 1925
Rev. Henry T. McCrary – 1926 – 1928
Rev. Chastine L. Taylor – 1929 – 1931
Rev. C. D. Foster – 1931 – 1933
Rev. B. H. Stanley – 1933 – 1935
Rev. W. I. Wright – 1936 – 1964
Rev. L. Earl Tolbert – 1964 – 1969
Rev. James Wiltshire – 1969-1970 (Interim Pastor)
Rev. J. H. Tucker – 1970 – 1973
Rev. James Wiltshire – 1973 – 1975 (Interim Pastor)
Rev. Frederick C. Johnson – 1975 – 2016
Rev. Clabon Bogan, Jr. – 2017 – 2021 (Interim Pastor)
Rev. Johnathan M. Wilson—2021 – 2022
Rev. Clabon Bogan, Jr. – 2022 – present (Interim Senior Pastor)
“And I will give you shepherds according to Mine heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3: 15
