Look to the rock from which you were cut

Isaiah 51

"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness
       and who seek the LORD :
       Look to the rock from which you were cut
       and to the quarry from which you were hewn;

The first Negro Baptist Church in Pontiac, Michigan was started in November 1917, under the leadership of Rev. Gulley. The first services were held at the Memorial Baptist Church (white) located on South Saginaw at Prospect Street. The new congregation was allowed to meet on Sundays at three p.m. when Memorial was not using the building.

They developed plans and began to save money for a future Church site. At their very first rally, they realized nine dollars and fifty cents and donated five dollars to Rev. Gulley with the remaining four dollars and fifty cents being deposited in the bank.

Mr. Ernest Noble was the first Church Clerk and Mr. John F. Wilson the first Church Treasurer.

In late December 1917, the doors of Memorial Baptist Church were closed to the new Negro congregation because of a fuel shortage. The Fuel Administrator issued a proclamation demanding that all Michigan churches and theaters limit their fuel use to 24 hours per week to conserve fuel in the state. The Memorial Baptist Church wanted to use all 24 hours for their services and therefore this group was forced to discontinue worship services.

Early in 1918, Rev. Owens came to Pontiac with a desire to organize a church. He personally rented a small building on Elizabeth Street. It belonged to Herman Binga, a man who later became a charter member of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church.

The Rev. Owens made a sign that said "New Hope Baptist Church" and placed it on the front of the building. Every Sunday morning, he went throughout the community, gathered children of all races, colors and creeds, and took them to New Hope for Sunday School.

In the meantime, the Rev. Ford B. Reed came to Pontiac from Kentucky and started another Baptist Church on the south side of Pontiac.

One Sunday in May 1918, each of the Baptist Church groups came together and worshipped in a building on South Boulevard. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the Southside Mission, led by Rev. Reed, and the Westside Mission, led by Rev. Owens, were consolidated and became known as Trinity Baptist Church. The leadership of the church was turned over to Rev. Reed.

A special gathering of Trinity members at the First Baptist Church of Pontiac, with the Rev. Traver as pastor, sealed the new Church position in the city. The Rev. R.L. Bradby, Rev. Gulley and other area ministers were present at this historical service.

Trinity Baptist Church received its charter in October 1918.

Rev. Reed and his co-laborers in the work of the Lord, worked hard to raise funds to purchase their new church home at Elizabeth and Matilda Streets.

Listed are the charter members of Trinity Baptist Church, with the Rev. Ford B. Reed as the organizing Pastor: