Church History

Gethsemane's History

In 1966, Rev. B.T. Anderson formed a mission in the basement of his home with eight charter members. It was then that the late Rev. B. T. Anderson received a vision from God to organize a church. During Bible Study arose the question of what the name of the church should be. The late Rev. G. L. Anderson, the son of Rev. B.T. Anderson, named the church "Gethsemane" from the book of Mark 14:32 ("And he came to a place which is called Gethsemane; and he saith to his disciples, sit ye here while I shall pray"). This vision became a reality on Thursday, June 16, 1966. For over eighteen years, Rev. B.T. Anderson's ministry provided a spiritual object lesson for Gethsemane that "with God you can start with nothing and produce something - because there is more in the Man than in the land."

Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church has been a Praise and Worship Center for 43 years. During this time, we have been under the leadership of three pastors; Rev. B.T. Anderson, Rev. Rodney Anderson, Rev. Dr. Major A. Stewart, interim pastor, Rev. R. Sherman McCathern, our recent interim pastor, Rev. Edward Burns, and now our new pastor, Rev. Terry Randolph. Under the Devine guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the faithful members of the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, the following accomplishments and ministries have been added since July 2001, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Major A. Stewart: B.T. Anderson Scholarship Ministry, B.T. Anderson Neighborhood Service Ministry, Women's and Men's Ministries, Single's Ministry, Security Ministry, and the rebirth of the Youth Ministry. In addition, we have undergone a total new renovation of the church facility: Upgraded a new P.A. System, new carpeting and pews, new roof, and replacement of the parking lot. In 2002, the following additions occurred: Added church staff, including a Church Administrator position, P.A. Technician; Youth Praise and Worship Dancers and Leaders. God had blessed us with the following additions in the year 2003: Leadership Ministry, Male Chorus, New Members' Class, and the Family Enrichment Ministry. In 2004, God provided a means to further renovate the church building through the replacement of the front entrance doors with new innovation glass doors. During 2005, God has blessed Gethsemane with increasing its net worth through the accumulation of real estate and a church parsonage. Gethsemane has purchased 3 houses immediately behind the church on Harvard Street. One of the homes was earmarked as the church parsonage; the other two were demolished as part of our phase I parking lot expansion project. By the grace of God, and the power of His Holy Spirit, the following additions occurred: Radio Broadcast, Dedication of the Fellowship Hall, Computerized P.A. Recording System. Finally, we have established a Congregation-to-Congregation Cross-Cultural Partnership between Gethsemane and Providence Baptist Church of Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. In 2006, God gave Pastor Stewart a vision to train and develop leaders that would serve the church under his leadership as Deacons and Deaconesses. In 2007, the Lord continued to sustain the ministry of Gethsemane through adding new members. In 2008, the Lord allowed us to convert one lot of land to a community garden just east of the church. The garden serves the community with vegetables of all sorts. The church has also purchased another house and lot just west of the church, at 1225 Humphrey, for future development. Gethsemane has also given out more than $2000 in scholarship money to graduating members of the congregation. In 2009, the vision of the church is to become debt-free by the third quarter of 2029.

By the grace of Almighty God, Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church continues to strive towards its mission according to 1Cor. 10:31; Matt. 22:37-39; and Matt. 28:19-20

To God Be the Glory!!!