Christ is the central figure in Baptist theology. Members of the Baptist denomination have adapted the fundamental doctrines of public profession of belief and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and baptism by immersion. Personal salvation is the ultimate goal.
“Go ye therefore and teach all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
“…Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”
Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body of Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort to promote its prosperity and spirituality and to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions to religiously educate our children to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances to walk circumspectly in the world to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger to abstain from the sale of, and use of, intoxicating drinks as a beverage to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love to remember one another in prayer to aid one another in sickness and distress to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we ill, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
The late Dr. Benjamin Lawson Hooks
Our beloved Pastor, Civil Rights Leader, Attorney and Judge in the City of Memphis, TN.
Greater Middle Baptist Church is one of the three oldest churches in Memphis, with history dating back to the early 1830s. Originally, the church was part of First Baptist Church (currently on Parkway) that included a “Slave Gallery”.
In November of 1848, the first separate service for people of color was held in the lower level of First Baptist Church, then at Main and Exchange streets. A white minister conducted the services and was chosen as the first pastor of “The Middle Church”. The term “Middle” was the designated time between morning and evening services, used by the congregation of slaves and free people of color. Our present church name emerged from this “Middle” church.
Records indicate that in the 1850s, the members of this “Middle” church moved out of First Baptist to a white, framed church located at Washington and Fourth streets. The church was burned at this location, but was rebuilt in 1866 at Hill and Alabama streets. Fire again destroyed the church and school that formed at the site during a race riot of the late 1800s. This school was one of the first in Memphis for African-American children. Due to many setbacks, the minister persuaded all but six members to move to Stockton, California. From these six members, Greater Middle Baptist Church has grown, with moves to accommodate the expanding congregation. In 1936, the church moved to 821 Lane Avenue in 1970, to 245 Lamar Avenue and in 1997, to 4982 Knight Arnold Road.
Ministers since 1848 include: T. Lukas, W. Brinkley, J. B. Woods, W. Winfield, J. C. Clark, A. D. Hunt, J. Mitchell, W. Springer, E. White, M. L. Johnson, E. Johnson, T. Gatewood, H. Perry, W. E. Ragsdale, W. P. Tate, E. W. Williamson, B. L. Hooks, K. Pinkney, R. Mason, W. Jackson and R. Echols.
– The late Deacon Noah Bond, church historian
821 Lane Ave. Memphis, TN 38105
2455 Lamar Ave. Memphis, TN 38114
Membership with the church shall be in accordance with the Baptist doctrine and the church covenant. Individuals may join the Greater Middle Baptist Church by Baptism (after professing a belief in Christ as Savior), Christian Experience or Letter from another Baptist church.
The Givelify mobile app allows members and friends to give donations electronically to the church from a smart phone. In addition, the app tracks donations and provides users access to donation records at any time. Simply install the app from the App store.
