The History of New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church
The first gathering of Baptist religious believers was the First Baptist Church of Detroit, Michigan. First Baptist was organized in October of 1827 under (he leadership of Reverend Henry Davis. From 1827 to 1836 many of the first Baptist Church members were black. Detroit had been an important station of the Underground Railroad that aided many fugitive slaves to escape to Canada. It was believed that ex-slaves would be attracted to the Baptist Church. In 1836. thirteen members were granted permission to begin a church of their own from the Territorial Legislature of Michigan. This church was known, and is known, today as Second Baptist Church of Detroit. This was Michigan’s first African American housed congregation. Second Baptist Church became Michigan's seventh major church. Second Baptist Church was re-constructed in 1914 to replace the original building that was destroyed by fire.
Mount Beulah Baptist Church, located on Cherrylawn and Chippewa in Detroit, is also one of Michigan's major churches. African Americans began to relocate to Ferndale, Michigan and had to cross Eight Mile Road, a major thoroughfare that separates the City of Detroit from the suburbs, to attend church.
In 1924, a few officers and members of Mount Beulah along with Reverend Talbert and Reverend Smith banded together and organized a different church. This church was named Mount Lebanon Baptist Church. The name was later changed to First Baptist Church. Reverend Talbert and Reverend Smith served in ministry together. Rev. Smith served as Pastor until 1931. Rev. Theodore Williams was called in 1931. Under the pastorship of Reverend Williams, the membership increased immensely.
Reverend Williams left first Baptist Church in 1935 and organized a church known as Berean Tabernacle. Reverend Samuel Pyles began serving in 1935 and served three years. During this time, he rebuilt First Baptist Church. He was unable to finish rebuilding the church, for God called him from labor to reward in 1938. His assistant. Reverend Sandy Gibson carried out his term and served for a short term until his death in 1939.
In June. 1939, Reverend Charles B. Heath was called as pastor. He finished the work which Reverend Pyles had begun. During his tenure as Pastor, it was discovered that there were two churches in the City of Detroit with the same name of First Baptist Church. On January 7, 1945, Deacon Howard Wills made a motion that changed the name to New Prospect Baptist Church. The growth continued and the building became too small to hold all the worshippers. Rev. Heath wanted to buy the Duke Theatre located on Eight Mile Road and Wyoming in Ferndale, Michigan, however, the membership did not support the purchase of the theatre.
In 1953 the church voted to enlarge the building at 20470 Wisconsin. The members supported this idea and agreed to finance the project. Reverend Heath continued to look to the future and asked the church to look at a building on Pembroke and Stoepel to see if it was for sale. In March of 1960, he made arrangements for the congregation to take a walk through the building. Reverend Heath became ill, and the membership did not want him to take on the responsibility of trying to purchase the church on his own. The membership agreed to borrow ten thousand dollars to make a down payment on the building. In 1967, Reverend Heath was called home to glory. He served New Prospect for 28 years.
Reverend James Kinchen served until February 1968. After hearing several ministerial candidates, New Prospect called Reverend Dr. Samuel Leon Whitney from Jackson, Mississippi to pastor the church. There was much growth and inspiration under his leadership. His beliefs were to expand the church, become civic minded and become a tithing church. The church was able to pay off the mortgage and purchase three houses. He also wanted the fellowship hall to be refurbished with updated kitchen equipment and named and dedicated as the C.B. Heath Hall in memory of his faithful service.
The name of the church was changed to New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Whitney led the way for the church to expand its facilities. A new sanctuary was built that included a new baptism pool, new fellowship hall with update equipment, a nursey room and two adjoining kindergarten rooms. There was a new audio room that had state of the art audio equipment that enabled the church to record worship services. The new addition also included a Trustee room and a new nurse’s station. A pastoral office was added to the new addition where counseling could take place. He also created an additional office for his Associate Ministers. During the time of construction, the congregation worshipped in the Howard Wills building located on Livernois. Reverend Whitney pastored New Prospect 22 years until his death in December of 1990. In 1991, his son, Reverend Dr. Keith L. Whitney, assumed the pastoral leadership and led the flock until October 1996.During that time, he was appointed as a server in South Africa for the election of Nelson Mandela as president.
In 1996, Reverend Randolph F. Henlon, an Assistant Pastor under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Dr. Samuel L. Whitney and Reverend Dr. Keith L. Whitney, was voted to become the Interim Pastor. He served as Interim pastor until March 1999. Rev. Henlon was a committed servant of God who served New Prospect from the early 1970‘s until he was called from labor to rest on March 12, 2018.
On March l, 1999, Reverend Dr. Wilma R. Johnson, Assistant to the Pastor in Christian Nurture at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit, was called to become Senior Pastor of New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Johnson promised that she would teach, preach, love and pray. Under her leadership, souls were saved, the Word was taught, and the membership and the stewardship was increased. She presented her vision for the future that included multipurpose classrooms and administrative offices, space for Christian Education, Bible Study, Wilma R. Johnson Chapel, Fine Arts Room and Library/Media Center, which was completed. To encourage and strengthen the flock Pastor Johnson coined the phrase “The Church where the Spirit of Unity Abides”. This phrase brought old and new worship experiences together. Pastor Johnson served New Prospect Baptist Church for 17 plus year. On September 30, 2016, the Lord took our beloved Pastor, Rev. Dr. Wilma R. Johnson, from labor to rest.
In 2016, the Executive Pastoral staff who was trained under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Wilma R. Johnson, along with the Deacon Ministry and the Leadership Team kept the Church and ministries alive and well. Lead Pastoral Minister, Rev. Carnel Richardson and Executive Pastors, Rev Dr. Craig Ester, Rev. Dr. April Hearn, and Rev. Ronald Copeland took care of the daily functions and ministries of the Church. They continued to counsel married couples, minister to members, as well as keeping the Church’s community outreach thriving. During the Covid Pandemic Rev. Carnel Richardson, Rev. Dr. Craig Ester and Rev. Dr. April Hearn continued to Preach, Teach, and Love the people of God. On August 1, 2024, Rev. Dr. Craig Ester became Lead Pastoral Minister and continues to lead New Prospect as God leads him.