Our Story
The Beginning
Our story began in 1884, when a few families who had migrated from the South to Worcester, Massachusetts, decided to come together to worship God. They held prayer meetings in each other’s homes, and on February 4th, 1885, the 16 founders chose the name Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Although the 1st anniversary celebration was held in September of 1886, the church decided to take 1884 as the founding date since that was the year the mission of JSBC was formed.
JSBC worshiped at 34 Front Street, until they raised money to purchase the deed and land on January 1st, 1887 for the current location on John Street. The name of the church eventually changed from Mt. Olive Baptist to John Street Baptist Church (JSBC) due its location. In 4 years, JSBC’s members paid off the mortgage of $1,500 for the house that was on the land that would later be used as the parsonage for JSBC’s pastors and families. In 1891, the current church building was built for $4,500. In 1910, the members paid off the mortgage, and had the church’s first pews were installed.
JSBC has had seventeen pastors in the past 134 years with Rev. Hiram Conway being the first pastor and Pastor Roosevelt Hughes being the current pastor since 1983. Some of the former pastors including interim ones, include Rev. M.E. Hunter, Rev. William M. Gibson, Rev. C.C. Blake, Rev. Edgar Clarke, Rev. Joseph Dancy, Rev. Toussaint Davis, Rev. Joseph Lewis, Rev. Adolphus C. Ross, Rev. Richard Wright, Rev. Eugene Belcher, Rev. Alton Pollard III, and Rev. Rudolph Featherstone.
Throughout the years, a number of individuals have passed through the doors of JSBC and served as members. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached at JSBC when he was a student at Boston University. Marshall W. “Major” Taylor, the famous cyclist, whose statue is erected at the Worcester Public Library, was a member as well as his sisters. JSBC has had generations of families become and remain members for over 130 years
JSBC worshiped at 34 Front Street, until they raised money to purchase the deed and land on January 1st, 1887 for the current location on John Street. The name of the church eventually changed from Mt. Olive Baptist to John Street Baptist Church (JSBC) due its location. In 4 years, JSBC’s members paid off the mortgage of $1,500 for the house that was on the land that would later be used as the parsonage for JSBC’s pastors and families. In 1891, the current church building was built for $4,500. In 1910, the members paid off the mortgage, and had the church’s first pews were installed.
JSBC has had seventeen pastors in the past 134 years with Rev. Hiram Conway being the first pastor and Pastor Roosevelt Hughes being the current pastor since 1983. Some of the former pastors including interim ones, include Rev. M.E. Hunter, Rev. William M. Gibson, Rev. C.C. Blake, Rev. Edgar Clarke, Rev. Joseph Dancy, Rev. Toussaint Davis, Rev. Joseph Lewis, Rev. Adolphus C. Ross, Rev. Richard Wright, Rev. Eugene Belcher, Rev. Alton Pollard III, and Rev. Rudolph Featherstone.
Throughout the years, a number of individuals have passed through the doors of JSBC and served as members. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached at JSBC when he was a student at Boston University. Marshall W. “Major” Taylor, the famous cyclist, whose statue is erected at the Worcester Public Library, was a member as well as his sisters. JSBC has had generations of families become and remain members for over 130 years
The Present
The church has gone through many physical changes in connection with its spiritual renewal. From 1999 to 2003, the church parsonage was renovated to become a part of the main church building as the Education Wing. The facility provides a more intimate atmosphere and environment for teaching and learning the Word of God. The renovations are a reflection of the high priority of Pastor Hughes and church leadership to educate and teach children and people of all ages about the Bible and its principles.
Our Mission
Our mission is to proclaim God's faithfulness throughout all generations. One way we accomplish this mission is through gathering weekly to fellowship and connect with each other and the community. A few of the ways we seek to meet the needs of JSBC members and the community of Worcester are through our weekly Bible studies, weekly prayer, weekly Soup kitchen, and Thanksgiving and Christmas outreach programs. We also have global outreach through ministries in India and Uganda. Please visit our Ministry Teams page to learn more about how we are accomplishing this mission.
© 2024 by JOHN STREET BAPTIST CHURCH