Church History

I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;. Psalm 77:5 (NIV)

Quick Links

The History of Our Church

Pontiac's first Negro Baptist Church was started in November 1917 with the aid of a white congregation named Memorial Baptist Church at South Saginaw and Prospect streets in Pontiac.

The Rev. Gulley, whose first name has unfortunately slipped from our records, was God's man for the starving Negro Christians in this city.

On a chilly November Sunday afternoon, a perfect day for a warm fellowship with other Christians, the Rev. Gulley and several others came together to worship our Lord and Savior. Others present included: Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Noble, Mr. John R. Wilson, Mrs. Lula Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Garling, Mrs. Mattie Turner and Miss S. Octavia Robinson.

The services were held at 3 p.m. Sundays, a time when the white congregation wasn't using the building.

It didn't take long for the small Negro congregation to realize the need to start saving for its own house of worship and during its first rally, $9.50 was collected. Wanting to obey God's word, $5.00 from that rally was given to Rev. Gulley and $4.50 was deposited in a local bank for a future church site.

The records and monies were kept by Church Clerk Ernest Noble and Church treasurer John F. Wilson.

Before the end of December 1917, however, the doors of Memorial Baptist Church were closed to the Negro Christians because of a fuel shortage.

A proclamation was issued by the fuel administrator, a Mr. Prudden, demanding that all Michigan churches and theaters limit their fuel use to 24 hours per week so fuel could be conserved in the state.

Memorial Baptist Church members wanted to use all 24 hours allotted them for their services and therefore the Negro congregation was forced to discontinue worship services there and for a while disbanded.


	Isaiah 46:10-11 (NIV)
	¹⁰ I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. ¹¹ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.


	Charter Members
	Rev. Ford B. Reed Organizing Pastor Herman Binga Frank Cheathem William Foster Thomas Franklin William H. Garling Maggie O. Hall Fannie Jackson Willie Jackson John Leonard Charles W. Long Ernest Long Mary Long Clara Noble Ernest Noble Alice Reed Ella Smith Sadie G. William John F. Wilson

Important Events

Church organized 1918 — receives charter in October, 1918
1929 — Church completes "basement" Sanctuary for worship services.
1944 — Church moves into finished Sanctuary built above basement.
1950-1958 Rev. Richard H. Dixon, Jr. leads Trinity to new heights; the church experiences spiritual and congregational growth stepping unto the national scene with visits by such luminaries as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1958.
1975-2005 Dr. Robert E. Baily I Pastors Trinity Church through a period of unprecedented growth, establishing Trinity Church as a nationally recognized resource for Christian leadership, as well as, leading in the cause of Christian Charities.
1980 — Education Facility Opened
1985 — New Sanctuary Opened
June, 1988 — Trinity Child Development Center Opened
September, 1991 — Trinity Christian Academy begins classes for Kindergarten and 1st Grades.
September, 1992 — Trinity Church begins "Black College Sunday". A tradition that has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to traditional Black Colleges and Universities. In the spirit of "keeping the dream alive."
2005-Present — The Rev. Dr. Drew E. Marshall returns home to his birthplace; Pontiac, MI. He becomes the 17^th Senior Pastor of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church.

TMBC Sunday School 1920's