New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church
The New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, a cherished and influential institution in Detroit, is gearing up for a momentous occasion- its 100th anniversary. This milestone will be celebrated with a series of commemorative events, a testament to the church’s profound legacy and steadfast commitment to community service over the past century.
The church kicked off the celebration on August 17th with a lively community block party held at 6330 Pembroke. The event was filled with delicious food, exciting activities, and a great opportunity for members to come together and enjoy each other’s company.
Reverend Craig Ester, the church’s current Pastor, expressed his joy and gratitude as he reflected on the century-long legacy of pastoral care provided by himself and his predecessors to the congregation.
“It is a great legacy as we have impacted the spirituality of hundreds of our parishioners over the years,” Ester said.
In 1924, a dedicated assembly of officers and members with a shared vision decided to secede from their original church, Mount Beulah, and establish their own congregation, which they christened Lebanon Baptist Church.
The leadership of the new church was entrusted to Rev. William Smith. Later, in 1945, the members opted to change the church’s name to New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church. During this time, Rev. Heath passionately served as the church’s Pastor until his passing in 1967.
The current church facility, located on Pembroke, was acquired in 1960, marking a significant milestone in the church’s journey. In 1968, the congregation elected Rev. Dr. Samuel Leon Whitney as their Pastor, a decision that led to a period of remarkable growth and the construction of a new church addition. Rev. Dr. Keith Linnaeus Whitney followed after Rev. Dr. Samuel Leon Whitney’s leadership.
In 1999, the late Rev. Wilma Johnson took on the role of Pastor, and under her leadership, the church significantly extended its involvement in the community. During this time, she introduced the now well-known slogan “The Church where the Spirit of Unity Abides.”
Save the date for the 100th Church Anniversary Banquet on October 18th at 6:00pm. The celebration will take place at Roostertail. Tickets for the banquet cost $130.00.
About Post Author
