LIFE SKETCH OF A GREAT CHURCH
       

Bro. Sam Hoskins, in 1931, called together a band of Christian men and women for the purpose of establishing a church.  These stalwart Christians met at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Taylor in the 400 block of South Ewing Ave, St. Louis, MO.  Rev. E. B. Bryant chaired the meeting and Bro. Dave McGill acted as the secretary.  After prayer, collaboration and discussion the group voted and the JERUSALEM MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH became a reality. 

The church body unanimously elected Rev. J. S. Morris as its pastor; services were held in the Elroy Building, in the 400 block South Jefferson Ave. The church grew rapidly under the leadership of Rev. Morris, and soon a larger edifice was apparent.  The church then relocated to the Argus Building, 2316 Market Street.  Again, it became apparent a need to relocate. The church relocated to the corner of Jefferson and Randolph Ave.  Rev Morris served for ten years.
 

In 1941, Rev L. Q. Laws was elected as the second pastor; he served for six years.  Under the leadership of Rev. Laws, a progressive and hard working pastor, the church was blessed spiritually and financially.  The church rented the building at 507 South Jefferson Ave.  The building was in need of much repair, but with saws, hammers, nails, manual labor, and much prayer 507 South Jefferson evolved into a place of worship.  The building was later sold to the Church of God in Christ, Elder Ward.  Jerusalem M. B. Church returned to the Argus Building for worship.  The Lord was still blessing Jerusalem and a lot was purchased at 405 South Jefferson Ave.

October 19, 1947, Rev.  James Andrew Morgan was elected as Jerusalem’s third pastor.  He served faithfully for eighteen years, in sickness and health.  It was under his leadership that the edifice at 405 South Jefferson was erected and finally on May 30, 1948, the congregation marched into its new home.  Once again, God had proven that he truly hears and answers prayers.  Eleven years later, the congregation found it necessary to relocate again due to the south-side properties redevelopment of the Mill Creek Area.
 

On May 5, 1959, the first service of the Jerusalem M. B. Church was held at the 5596 Ridge Avenue location.  The building was dedicated to the “GLORY OF GOD”, by the late Rev. James Andrew Morgan.

On March 8, 1965, with the late Rev. Victor Wells, Antioch District Moderator, presiding at that time, our fourth and present Pastor, Dr. Joseph Morgan was elected.  Under Pastor Joseph Morgan’s leadership, a humble, meek and untiring man, the church has again been truly blessed by GOD.  Pastor Morgan has vision and God has used him, as the under shepherd for over 41 years at Jerusalem to inspire and instruct the congregation.  God’s blessings have been revealed through him and us in:

         ●  Many baptized in the Church of Christ

         ●  Burning of the Mortgage - October 1971
             (old edifice located at 5596 Ridge)

         ●  Dedication of a new edifice at 5596 Ridge Ave.
             March 22, 1991

         ●  The first Christian Bible Training class
             January 3, 1994

         ●  All night Prayer and Praise Services

         ●  Crowning of Deacons

         ●  Ordination of women in the gospel Ministry

         ●  J. M. B. C. Institute of Discipleship and Evangelism

         ●  Women of Grace and Future Women of Grace
             First Youth Extravaganza

         ● Burning of the Mortgage for the current edifice at
            5596 Ridge – November 20, 2005
 

With God in control, Jerusalem M. B. Church was able to fund the building of a new edifice, over a half-a-million-dollar structure.  On March 22, 1991, Dr. Joseph Morgan, Pastor, again dedicated Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church to the “GLORY OF GOD”.

These are just a few of God’s blessings.  There is no way we could possibly recall the many, many Blessings of 76 years.  Blessings abound throughout as Jerusalem continues “Reaching the Lost for Christ-Equipping the Saints for Service”.

For seventy-six years Jerusalem has remained “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that its labor is not in vain in the work of the Lord.”  

Jerusalem M. B. Church will proceed in its commitment and devotion to the LORD. 

COMPLETE THE WORK

“Blessed is the man, who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord,
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

                                                         -  Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV)