Church History

MOUNT SINAI BAPTIST CHURCH
“A Church in the Heart of the People”
A HISTORY TIMELINE 
1904-2021
117 YEARS

Mount Sinai Baptist Church has been in existence for 117 years, serving the people of God and community.  We have been blessed with several strong inspiring Pastors and supporting preachers.  During this country’s changes, struggles, community challenges, political problems/policies, corruption, health conditions as well as changes within the church itself, Mt. Sinai continues to survive.

The church has had two locations-Ashland Avenue and the present location.  This building has undergone several renovations throughout the years, causing members to worship in other locations.   The Membership remains supportive and dedicated to our church and pastors.
1904-1914

• The Mt. Sinai Baptist Church was founded and organized by the Rev. John Henry Taylor on March 20, 1904.  The church original location was purchased for $2,800.00 on Ashland Avenue consisted of one building.

Rev. Taylor’s first worship service included his father, his wife, and himself.  

• On February 3, 1906, the church was legally incorporated after the purchase of two more properties at the corner of Ashland Avenue and Hillman Street for $3,900.  The Trustees were John H. Taylor Sr. (Father) Frank Carter, Sidney Taylor, Leroy Penn and Thomas T. Taylor.   He named two branches in the new church, the Sunday school and the Missionary Society.
• Rev. Henry Taylor was instrumental in helping to organize the Wayland Baptist Church.
• The membership of the church continued to increase proving the need for more space; therefore, it became necessary to expand for the new church.  He renovated two of the houses at the cost of $15,000.

1915-1925

• On March 20, 1914, the building was completed, paid in full, and fully furnished.  It was dedicated to the Lord, and many souls were converted.  
• In October, 1915 Rev. Taylor’s wife Ella Taylor became ill and died on November 2, 1915.
• In 1917, He met and married Miss Euther Lee and they had nine children.  Mrs. Taylor was a valuable and thoughtful educator.   She was an inspiring Sunday school teacher that changes the lives of those she taught.
• This year Rev. Taylor ordained his nine deacons in 1918.  
• Rev. Taylor set apart the Shining Star Baptist Church in Chase, Maryland (1922).

1926-1936

• Rev. Taylor’s accomplishments over the years included the saving of more than 2,000 souls, serving as advisor in the establishment of Wayland Baptist Church and also assisting in the organization of Shining Star Baptist Church of Chase, Maryland.   
• He started the Mount Sinai Lodge No. 63, Free and Accepted mason, Prince Hall affiliate.
• On February 18, 1931, Rev. Taylor passed, leaving instructions to the members to keep Mt. Sinai alive.
• November 8, 1931, Rev. Edmond Meade was called to the pastorate of Mount Sinai.  
• While serving, Rev. Meade was appointed chief of a U.S. Government initiative in which Mt. Sinai was used as a supply station to provide commodities for the needy during the Great Depression?
• Under Rev. Meade leadership three Deacons were added to the church.

1937-1947

• In 1938 Rev. Meade was called to pastor the Israel Baptist Church.

Between 1938 and 1941 the government purchased the church building, which left the church without a place to worship.  Mt. Sinai worshiped in the basement of Grace Memorial Baptist Church.

• Around 1940 Rev. George A. Crawley Sr. was Mt. Sinai first ordained minister under Rev. Taylor.  When Rev. Crawley learned of the problems Sinai was having, finding a pastor and a new building to call home.  Rev. Crawley immediately began the search for both. 
• From 1940-1941 Rev. H.C. Odem, one of the assistant ministers from St. Paul Baptist accepted the position of pastor at Mt. Sinai.  Under his leadership the Deaconess Board was organized.
• In 1942 Rev. Crawley along with some of the members of Mt. Sinai formed a committee to find a church home.   Rev. Crawley located the church building at 922 East Preston Street and the committee approved .The church was purchased in September of 1942 for 12,000.00.
• Again, the church was without a pastor from August of 1941 until February, of 1942.
• On February 19, 1942, Rev. Jarrett R. Butler was called to Shepherd the congregation.   He assumed his duties in April of that year.   
• The church debt upon Rev. Butler’s arrival was $11,502.44.  By April 15, 1944 the mortgage was burned.  Plus $3000.00 worth of remodeling was completed.
• Under Rev. Butler‘s leadership the Dedicatorial Service and the laying of the Cornerstone occurred on November 15, 1944.
• The membership continued to increase each year.

1948-1958

• The parsonage of the church was renovated for $5000.00 in 1951.  
• The second renovation of the main sanctuary was done at the cost of $4,700.00 with a No.5 Baldwin Organ installed for $3,700.00 and carpeting at $1495.00.

• Substantial renovation was later made to the lower sanctuary, providing a church office, choir room, ladies lounge which included the lavatory,  

 Nurses suite, kitchen and a lavatory for the men.
Under Rev. J. R. Butler, the church moved forward, spiritually and financially.  Rev. Butler formed a ministerial staff consisting of Rev. Elijah Smith, Rev. William Jordon, Rev. Matthew Marcus, Rev. James McFarlin, Rev. James E. Bowman, Rev. L.C. Mayfield, and Rev. George A. Crawley Sr.  And Rev. Shelton Stewart (associate) He ordained six deacons, Lawrence N. Bowman Sr. Charles Meade, Charles Cannady, Arther Carter, Archie Copeland, and Henry Martin.

• He also formed several auxiliaries:  The Gospel Choir, Women’s Chorus, Nurses Unit, Boy and Girl Troops, Men’s Chorus, Youth Choir, and the Young Matron’s Club. 

• His wife, Edna P. Butler served faithfully by his side as Sunday School Superintendent, which consist of two classes for children and one class for adults.  

• Because of Mrs. Butler’s love of the Sunday school she started her own outreach service by going into the community, meeting families in an effort to encourage them to attend Sunday school.  As a result of her efforts the Sunday school grew from two classes to nine classes all ages.
• Edna P. Butler also organized the Vacation Bible School each summer.
• Under Rev. Butler high standards for church conduct and noble church support through tithing or systematic giving led the church leaders to use the duplex envelope system. 
• In 1945 Rev. Butler united with our sister church the Shining Star Baptist Church in Chase, Maryland for yearly worship services.
• The women of Mt. Sinai that year also began their annual fellowship with women of Ebenezer Baptist Church.
• In 1951 the parsonage adjacent to the church was renovated for $5000.00.

1959-1969

• In 1961 after the death of Edna P. Butler, Rev. Butler moved out of the parsonage and the building served as a community house.
• In honor of Mrs. Edna P. Butler, the Young Peoples Choir was renamed “The Edna P. Butler Choir”.

  During the Civil Rights Movement for justice, equal rights and fairness, our church was one of the active participants in the racial unrest in the 60’s and 70’s.
Under the direction of Rev. J.R. Butler we became active members of the NAACP.  Our Pastor, followed Martin Luther King non-violent approach and leadership;  many of the Sinai  youth participated in weekly Freedom Bus rides, Sit-ins, and Picket lines.  

• We board buses and went to the March on Washington in 1963. 
• In 1966, was the Marriage of Rev?  J. R. Butler to Mamie Barnes.
• Rev. Jarrett R. Butler retired in 1967 from faithful service to the Mt. Sinai church for 25 years. He became pastor emeritus in December of that year.
• In March of 1967, Rev. William Brown of Faith Baptist Church was called to be an Assistant Pastor to Rev. Butler.  After his retirement Rev. Brown became our new pastor on December 20.  He was installed February 4, 1968.
• In 1969 Rev. Brown formed a new organization-The John Henry Taylor Educational Fund, in honor of the founder.  The purpose of this fund was to inspire and help young people realize their educational dreams.

Rev. William Brown began his leadership in a serious, dedicated way; working in every segment of the church.

• Under his early tenure he …reorganized the Senior Choir No.2, established the youth organization, the Pulpit Guild, the Kitchen Committee, the Bus Ministry, the Junior Missionary Society, the Flower Circle, the Intermediate Choir, Easter Sunrise Service (outdoors) Sunbeam Missionary Circle, the Education Committee, Tape Ministry, Church School Breakfast Program and Evaluation Committee.
• Annual Women and Men’s Day was instituted.

1970-1980
One of Rev. Brown’s visions was to form a Mass Choir; this vision was fulfilled in 1970.  He encompasses all the choirs of the church which became the Mass Choir named the “Voices of Sinai”.  In 1979 the Voices of Sinai recorded a live album entitled, “You Better Be Ready”.

• We started a New Membership Class.
• Under Rev, Brown’s leadership three ministers were ordained- Rev. Henry Martin, Rev. Nathaniel Womack and Rev. Orvis Farmer.  Two were licensed-Rev. Stanford Perkins and Rev. Jessie Frazier.
• In his early tenure the church Sanctuary underwent major renewal-Choir loft and pulpit area rebuilt, ceiling replaced, entire sanctuary carpeted, Baptismal pool relocated and a new Baldwin C-631 organ was purchased and installed.  Central air throughout the building and glass doors were installed at entrances.
• In 1979, the community house was renovated, a concrete floor laid in the basement, added the church office, the pastor’s study, new classrooms and the kitchen relocated to the basement of the house.

1981-1991

• On September 12, 1982, the community house was renamed “The Jarrett R. Butler Center and the classrooms were named in honor of dedicated members of the church.
• The church purchased two fifteen passenger dodge vans in 1981.
• During the next major renovation of the church Sanctuary in 1989, Mt. Sinai worshipped at the Good Tidings Baptist Church on Edison Highway.
• The Mission Ministry Annual Day was started in 1989.
• On Sunday September, 1989 we marched from Good Tidings Baptist Church to our newly renovated church home.
• To strengthen the spiritual growth and mission of the church and plant seeds for his vision of “a church without walls” Rev. Brown plan included transforming from auxiliaries to ministries in 1990.

1992-2000
Membership was continuously growing and many young people joined and former members returned.

• In 1994 Rev. Brown formed a team to find a new pastor.  The results of the search brought a new shepherd to Mt. Sinai out of Seattle, Washington; Rev. Ray A. Cotton from Dallas, Texas.  
• Rev. William Brown retired in 1995. He became pastor emeritus until his death.
• Rev. Ray A. Cotton was installed as Pastor on February 25, 1996; he came with his wife, Carolyn and two of his six sons-James Alvin and Ray Jr.

Rev. Ray Cotton came with a vision for Mt. Sinai‘s spiritual growth.  His passion was preaching and teaching God’s words.  He also showed a special love for family and the youth.  

• The John Henry Taylor Scholarship Fund, now accessible and funds distributed because of Rev, Cotton endless efforts to make available the monies to be used for members/students entering colleges or trade schools.

2001-2013

• Our Pastor has instituted the following ministries:  Women’s, Kara Dance, Prayer Warrior, Young Adult, Junior Deacons and Deaconess, and Publicity.

• New programs such as Family Emphasis, First Lady’s Day, Monthly Leadership Training, Retreats for officers, leaders and staff, Vision Dinner yearly, New Member’s Social, Share Food, Church Nursery, and Young Adult Ushers.
• Under the Publicity Ministry the Newsletter was enhance for the church community.
• In the spirit of fellowship, Pastor Cotton introduced a Carnival Cruise to Nowhere for the leadership team.
• In 2014, the chair lift was installed for the handicap and senior members of our church.
• More renovations for our 100 year old church:  Changes to the Fellowship Hall included the back wall, ceiling, an extra storage room, new heating vents, circuit breakers, recess lighting for the ceiling, hall lights, and the remodeling of the ladies room with new vanity and flooring.
• Our First Lady‘s passion was the women of the church. Her enthusiasm for spiritual ministering and teaching of all women resulted in organizing, planning and facilitating many workshops/ retreats city wide and several states.
• Sis. Carolyn taught the Women’s Sunday School Class. 
• The women of Mt. Sinai have been enriched, encouraged and inspired through Sis. Cotton’s love and desire to help them grow spiritually.
• Rev. Cotton ordained one minister, Reverend Kelly Jenkins, who currently serves as assistant to the pastor; He has licensed, Minister Chanson Byrd, Rev. Pernell Robinson, Minister Carey Roberts and Minster Eartha Harrison.  Dr. Esther Scott became a part of ministerial staff until she left to form her own church.  
• Four Deacons were ordained Tyrone Wilson, Sam Brown, Franklin Bourne and Deacon Edward Broaddus.
• Rev. Cotton served as President of the Maryland Baptist Convention for two terms.   He also held the position as Secretary Treasurer of the Pastoral Board for the National Baptist Convention of America Inc. 

Under the Pastor’s leadership, we have added the Gateway Book Ministry, the Youth Bible Class, the Home and Foreign Mission Ministries, implemented a Founder’s Day Banquet, increase Church wide communication through email, used Themes for fellowship and worship, emphasis on outreach and evangelism and implementation of Master Life classes for the congregation.

• Fellowship with Pastor in a hometown church in Dallas, Texas.
• Emphasis was placed on community involvement therefore; the church has been involved with a community Liaison project, the BUILD project, as well as Food distribution.  
• Annual Mission Ministry weekend was started for celebration and mission work.
• The Senior Women sponsored dinners to provide funds for a new church bus in March, 2001.
• The Leadership team planned the Men and Women’s Retreat at Sky croft Conference center in Middletown, Maryland.
• Praise and Worship team for worship services was instituted.
• The Women’s Ministry attended a conference in Seattle, Washington with First Lady Cotton 2002.

2014-Present

On Monday, February 9, 2017 at approximately 4:30am flames tore through the Mt. Sinai Church house, causing smoke and water damages to the main and lower sanctuary of the church; causing the entire church needing mass renovations,   leaving the congregation without a place to worship.

During this time we were welcomed by several churches to hold services at their facility; Ebenezer Baptist, Memorial and New Zion Baptist, as well as the Johnson Square School.  We were grateful for the welcome extended to the church for worship services.   However, the 
William C.  March Funeral Home provided us their Sanctuary for our Sunday services from 2018 until March of 2020.
The lower sanctuary or fellowship hall was completed and we began meeting there.  Our church was still undergoing repairs to the main sanctuary when the church encounter another fire on the roof of the building, causing damages to the roof, house, main sanctuary and  minimal damages to the lower Fellowship Hall  in January  2020.

Mt. Sinai continues to embrace our beliefs that trials may come but we will continue to hold on to God’s hand.  
The membership will never give up on God, or our pastor’s vision for this church.  Pastor Cotton reminds us that we are not perfect, but we are perfectly forgiven!
PRAISE GOD FOR ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN YEARS

“A CHURCH IN THE HEART OF THE PEOPLE”

From Barbara Bolden, Historian