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The Second
Baptist Church was organized in 1940, and was incorporated as the Second Baptist
Church of Paterson, New Jersey on January 27, 1941. The first worship services
held by the church was on May 5, 1940 at 27 Carroll Street. The incorporated
(founding) Board of Trustees consisted of Rev. Robert B. Dokes, William C.
Jackson, Abner W. Nash, John L. Best, Henry Hinton, Clifford L. Jackson, John P.
Wright and Carolyn Middleton-church clerk and secretary.
In 1941, the church purchased property at 182 Graham Avenue and worshipped there
for approximately twenty-two years. In May, 1963, the property at 72 Carroll
Street was purchased, where the church currently worships. The
Reverend Robert Boston Dokes is the founder and first Pastor of the Second
Baptist Church. Rev. Dokes pastored for forty-four years, after which he
retired. For a short period of time Rev. Dokes served in World War II, during
which the Reverend William J. Bobbitt of Montclair served as interim pastor. In
1984, Rev. Dokes retired as pastor. For the next eighteen months, under the
leadership of Deacon Thomas Veal Jr., chairman of the Board of Deacons, and
Trustee George Arnett, Sr. chairman of the Board of Trustees, the church
searched for a pastor. Under
the leadership of Rev. Dokes many auxiliaries were developed to compliment the
growth and stability of the church. The board of Deacons and Trustees,
Missionaries, Willing Workers, Benevolent, Senior Choir, Gospel Choir, Family
Gospel Singers, Young Adult Choir, Youth Choir, Sunday School, Vacation Bible
School, Usher Board as well as others.
On November 1, 1985, the Reverend Alexander McDonald, III was called to serve as
the second pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Paterson, New Jersey. Pastor
McDonald came to Second Baptist from Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Boonton, New
Jersey where he served as an associate minister. Under
Pastor McDonald's leadership, the church continues to build on the firm
foundation that was laid by our founding fathers and mothers. During his
pastorate, the membership has consistently grown. In 1990, the property at 72 Carroll Street was totally renovated and expanded to
accommodate its growth. Four additional properties surrounding the church have
been purchased.
In 1993, a Community Library was implemented in memory of Rev. Dokes with grants
from Hoffman LaRoche. In 1996, Pastor McDonald organized the Second Baptist Community Development Corporation, which was incorporated in November
1997 and federally tax exempted in February of 1999. The church has also
implemented the Rising Dove Summer Day Camp, Rising Above Substance Abuse
HIV/AIDS Support and Referral group, weekly AA meetings, Nursing Home, Senior
Citizen, Youth Detention and Prison Outreach ministries, feeding and clothing to
homeless and needy, the Computer Learning Center, and the After school
Tutorial Center. Nine ministers have been licensed in the church, one of which
(Rev. Lamont D. Pearson, Sr.) is the first minister to be ordained in Second
Baptist. Various in-house ministries have been initiated as well - the Mass
Choir, Male Chorus, Voices of Praise, Pastor's Advisory Council, and the
Audio/Video Ministry.
In July, 2005,a five-story, forty-eight unit structure (each with one bedroom apartments, and a
two-bedroom on-site superintendent's apartment) was completed. This new security-monitored, senior housing facility
has changed the entire landscape of the area.The church has also purchased a facility, the Thomas E. Veal Multipurpose Center and a store with two apartments, the George Arnett, Sr. Enterprise Building which is currently being rented by members of the community. The church is also
in the process of renovating and expanding its existing facilities to further
accommodate the continued growth and success God has given.
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