West Point Baptist Church

3566 S. Cottage Grove Avenue Chicago, IL 60653 773-538-7590 (main) www.wpmbc.orgIn April 1917, a fervent assembly of African-Americans met and, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, organized a local church where they could worship God and serve the community. Commensurate with many local African-American churches throughout the country whose organizers migrated from southern states to northern, eastern and western states, the organizers honored the church by naming her after the city (West Point, Mississippi) from which a number of the organizers transitioned. As a result, West Point Missionary Baptist Church was born. Afterwards, she called the Rev. R.H. Harmon (pastoral service—1917-1921) of West Point, Mississippi to be her first pastor. The first of a myriad of responsibilities for Rev. Harmon and the members of West Point Missionary Baptist Church was to secure an independent place of worship.During the late eighteen hundreds (1800’s), Chicago was one of the northern cities where many southerners who made their exodus resettled. In search of better living opportunities, Chicago became "The Promised Land" to these weary, yet determined travelers. As a result of the large influx of African-Americans to Chicago, local city officials designated sections of the city where the new residents could reside. One of these sections was, as it is affectionately known, Bronzeville. African-Americans who resettled in Chicago needed places of worship. Historically, many white congregations would not allow African-Americans to worship in their churches. However, due to the heightened number of African-Americans in the Bronzeville community, white churches began to relocate their congregations in other areas of the city—leaving many worship facilities empty. What the devil meant for evil, God meant for good.Due to the flight of white churches from the Bronzeville community, Rev. Harmon and the West Point Missionary Baptist Church members were able, in the winter of 1917, to purchase the old St. Mark Methodist Episcopal Church—a church completed in 1865 which was used as a chapel in connection with Camp Douglas during the Civil War. The purchase price was $22,000.00. To date, the original purchased building is one hundred forty-one (141) years old and is still owned and operated by West Point Missionary Baptist Church.As lives were continuing to be transformed and Christ exalted, Rev. James H. Brown (pastoral service—1922-1972), who succeeded Rev. Harmon, added to the numerical growth of the church through uncompromising sermonic exaltation and administrative leadership. Toward the latter years of his pastorate, Rev. Brown cast the vision for a new, modern facility. Rev. Brown would see the vision come to pass in 1972; he passed shortly thereafter.After his passing, West Point Missionary Baptist Church called one of her staff ministers, the Rev. Dr. Carroll J. Thompson (pastoral service—1972-1997), to serve as her 3rd pastor. Dr. Thompson was instrumental in burning the mortgage of over $400,000.00 for the new facility in 3 years and 1 month. In addition, Dr. Thompson had a local reputation of being a caring and compassionate pastor—constantly visiting the sick and shut in of his parish as well as non-members. He also had a national reputation as a scholar. Dr. Thompson was the first pastor to retire.After the retirement of Dr. Thompson, West Point Missionary Baptist Church called Rev. Corey Brooks (pastoral service—1997-2000) of Indiana to be her fourth (4th) pastor in 80 years. Rev. Brooks introduced a new methodology of worship and witnessing to this local church. After 3 years of service, Rev. Brooks organized a local church in the Chicagoland area.As West Point Missionary Baptist Church spent one year in search of her next pastor, it culminated into her calling the Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes (pastoral service—2001-present) as her fifth (5th) pastor in 84 years. Dr. Jakes was responsible for bringing healing, reconciliation and restoration to West Point Missionary Baptist Church. In addition, Dr. Jakes has led the church in Operation Divine Restoration: Redesigning, Remodeling, and Restoring a 20th Century Building Using 21st Century Designs, constructing neighborhood town homes, creating new ministries for the community, casting vision for the 21st century, and empowering the laity for service ministry. The accomplishments of the past ninety (90) years could not have been done without The Holy Spirit, coupled with committed Christians with a mind to work for the Kingdom.West Point Missionary Baptist Church is proud to boast that “The Queen of Gospel Music”, Dr. Albertina Walker and gospel recording artist DeWayne Woods are disciples of this ministry.The history of West Point Missionary Baptist Church has a span of close to 90 years. Her history is too extensive for all pertinent information to be printed. However, it does not yet appear what she shall be. As God continues to show favor and faithfulness to West Point Missionary Baptist Church, she will continue Living to Serve God by Serving Humanity (Galatians 5:13).