HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
"And upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hail shall not prevail against it" Matthew 18: 16, with this verse in mind, in 1902, thus the birth of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. Under the leadership of The Reverend w. T Lott , the first services were held at a location on the north Senate Avenue adjacent to the old Senate Avenue Branch of the Y. M. C.A.

The first congregation numbered 30 members, including Deacon and Sister Edwards, Deacon and Sister Anderson, Deacon Parker, Sisters Kittie Minter, Katherine Webber McBain, Sister Anna Webber/her family and The Fermon Family.

As is the case with many new institutions, the struggle and fight for existence and survival characterized the early history of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. After a short period of life, services were suspended at the original church.

Reverend N. A. Pious
The spirit and valiant determination of the members to worship together remained persistent and the Reverend N. A. Pious was extended the call to lead the group. Under the leadership of Pastor Pious, the church was successful in erecting its own stone building.

Rev’s. L. R. Mitchell and William Payne
Reverend L. R. Mitchell, whom resigned after a brief tenure, after which Reverend William Payne assumed the pastorate, succeeded Pastor Pious in time. Pastor Payne also only served for a brief tenure.

Reverend John Dalton Johnson (1909 - 1943)

When Reverend Johnson was called to lead Metropolitan Baptist in 1909, the membership numbered six persons. They were Deacons Parker and Anderson, Sisters Kittie Minter, Katherine Webber McBain, Tillie Edwards and Gabriella Edwards.

In Pastor Johnson, the church had found a leader of strong will, devout determination and dedication to service. The membership grew. In 1910, the Missionary Society was organized under the late Maggie Johnson. The church relocated at a site on the northwest comer of 13th and Missouri Streets. The original building was a small wooden structure which was replaced by a new masonry building in 1922 at a cost of $40,000.00 During the construction period, services was held in a tent across the street from the church site.

The first choir of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1921.

Pastor Johnson remained faithful and dedicated to the members of Metropolitan until the Lord saw fit to called him home to reward on April 2, 1943. We are grateful for his thirty-four years of devout and purposeful service to Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. At the time of Pastor Johnson's death, the membership was in excess of 300.

For a period of twelve months, Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church was without an under shepherd. The worship services were lead by the associate ministers of the church. The church kept in constant prayer for togetherness and for the Lord to send a new leader.

Reverend William F. Sweatt (1944 - 1968)

Reverend William F. Sweatt was install as the sixth pastor of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church on February 27, 1944. Under the leadership of Pastor Sweatt, the church continued to grow. In the church report to the Central District Convention in session at Mount Paran Missionary Baptist Church of Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 10,
1946, Deacons John Weaver and Wiley Sebree were listed as messengers. Reverend William F. Sweatt was shown as the pastor and Sister Katherine Davis listed as church clerk. The membership of the church was stated as 500 and the value of church property $45,000.00 Active ordained ministers sent out from Metropolitan at the time was Reverend William F. Sweatt, Reverend J. W. Short, First Baptist. Shelbyville, IN; Reverend Wheeler Highbaugh, Reverend G. L. Coleman, Reverend H. McBride and Reverend F. Benjamin Davis.

The final mortgage on the church, $13,000.00 was retired. The mortgage burning ceremony was held on May 27, 1948. The Sunday School was enlarged and a program of modernization and improvement of the physical structure of the church was initiated.

Sister Katherine Webber McBain, the last charter member of the church, was called home to
reward on March 24, 1958.

In 1957, Pastor Sweatt had a vision for the young people of Metropolitan Baptist Church. He sat aside every third Sunday of each month as "Youth Sunday", this meant the church would be run by the youth of the church beginning at the Sunday School hour through Baptist Training Union hour at 6 0' clock in the evening. He appointed the Reverend Irvin Owens as Director over these services. Rev. Sweatt also organized the Young People's Choir and named it the Sunday School Youth Choir. They were assigned to sing each Sunday morning for Sunday School and do the entire Song Service each third Sunday morning, Sister Joan Trice was appointed as choir director with Sister Catherine White as her assistant, Sister Shirley Parker Dinkins as pianist. Sister Trice only served for a brief tenure and Sister White was appointed director with Ms. Rosa Barmor McCann as her assistant, also assisted them with the group was the late Brother Bobby Thompson. The ages for the choir range from 8 years old to 16 years with a membership of 36 young people.
In 1958, the Brotherhood originated in October. The officers were John White, President, Samuel Collier, Vice-President, Charles Walker, Secretary and Alfred White, Treasurer.

In 1964, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Sweatt, the Ladies Chorus was organized with Sister Maude Moss serving as president, the late Brother Wayne Gilispee as pianist and Sister Shirley Parker Dinkins as organist.

In September of 1968, the building on Missouri Street was vacated to make way for the interstate highway that was being constructed. Arrange¬ments were made with the Loving Baptist Church at West New York and California Streets to hold joint services with them. This was a temporary arrangement that was to remain until a new church could be erected. Pre¬liminary commitments were let for the new building and Pastor Sweatt presided at the groundbreaking ceremonies on 2815 Sutherland A venue.

On December 9, 1968, once again the voice of the leader of Metropolitan Baptist Church was stilled in death. Pastor Sweatt served faithfully and honorably to the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church for twenty-four years. The passing of Pastor Sweatt was a great loss but also the church experienced a tragic fire at the temporary location on New York Street on December 23, 1968, when the church lost virtually all of its physical possessions but none of its spirit. Another temporary site of worship was found on Senate Avenue at 16th Street.

Metropolitan was facing a very critical period in its history. Some members became discourage and left the congregation. With faith, prayers and the Lord's blessing, the church was able to whither the storm.

The assistance and guidance from Metropolitan's own son, Reverend Dr. F. Benjamin Davis was of inestimable help to the congregation during this time of need. Dr. Davis worked unselfishly and Christian-like with the congregation and the joint board in the capacity of moderator and counselor until a new leader was called.

Reverend Lorenzo Edward Ervin (1969 - 1994)

Reverend L. E. Ervin was called to become the seventh pastor of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church on June 23, 1969.

Under the leadership of Pastor Ervin, the building program was vastly accelerated. The new structure on 2815 Sutherland Avenue was occupied in the early fall of 1969. Additions to the building were completed in 1973 and 1979.

Under the leadership of Pastor Ervin, he combined the Ladies Chorus and Missionary Chorus and the group was named the Gospel Choir.

The Sacred Five and Ten Dollar Club was organized on December 1, 1971 under the leadership of Pastor Ervin. Sister Mary Seath was appointed President and Sister Elaine Ervin became its Secretary. The organization purpose was to raise fund for the church building.

Pastor Ervin was known for his strong believed in Education, under his leadership a Scholarship Fund was established. This fund was to assist those youth that wanted to continue their education by attending college or technical trade school. Pastor Ervin also believes in providing a well-organized activity for the youth of the church. He would allow them to attend the Midwest Missionary Baptist Youth Conference, being held on Thanksgiving weekend. Also the church as a whole became active in the Capitol City District Association, Indiana State Missionary Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention. He would make sure that Metropolitan would send delegates to the National Baptist Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress.

Under the leadership of Pastor Ervin, Metropolitan continued to grow and have a strong presence in the community, city, state and national scene. The mortgage on 2815 Sutherland A venue was retired under the leadership of Pastor Ervin. The mortgage burning ceremony was held on
December 3, 1978.

Pastor Ervin served Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church for twenty-four years. On May 3, 1994, the voice of the leader of Metropolitan Baptist was stilled in death.

Metropolitan Baptist Church once again was without a under shepherd for a period of eleven months. During this time, Reverends Charles J. Ellis, Jr. and Kevin D. Long conducted the services.

Active ordained ministers sent out from Metropolitan at the time were: Reverend Dr. F. Benjamin Davis, Reverend Henry Quarles and Reverend James Whitfield.

Reverend Kevin Dewayne Long (1995 - Present)

For more information on Reverend Long, click here.