Eighth Street Baptist Church History
Eighth Street Missionary Baptist Church was first established as the Second Baptist Church in 1876 and was located at 617 West 7th Street. In 1889, the Reverend F. T. Walker moved the small frame church structure to 600 West Eighth Street and the name was changed to Eighth Street Baptist Church, as it remains today. On October 18, 1891, Joseph H. Bennett issued a warranty deed to church trustees, Richard Watson, W.A. Gateswood, S.M. Cahron, B.F. Grigsby, and A.W. Carter for financing provided to the church. On November 8, 1901, under the leadership of Reverend William Hardy, the debt to Joseph H, Bennett was paid and the deed of trust released. On August 20, 1907, under the leadership of Reverend D.E. Over, the Church Trustees C.L. Powell, Sanders Brown, B.F. Grigsby, and Lee Bowers signed a promissory note with R.J. Waddel Investment Company for funds to rebuild the church.
After rebuilding was completed in 1908, the church became active in the community, helping the Lincoln Home (at this time serving both orphans and the elderly) which was then located at First and Bradford, providing food and shelter for transients and local needy people. On October 11, 1915, the debt to R.J. Waddel Investment Company was paid off and the Deed of Trust was released under the leadership of Reverend L.A. McIntyre. On November 8, 1917, trustees M.O. Seymour, Henry Wilson, and William Shannon applied to and received a gift mortgage in the amount of $200 from the American Home Mission Board.
The flood of 1921 hit the church hard causing extensive damage. Windows were broken, the water level was high on the main floor, and church records stored in the basement were destroyed. But through it all, trust in God was maintained. Trustees D.W. McDowell, Z.R. McKinley, A.J. Madison, Henry Taylor, and G.C. Brown had to again apply to the American Home Mission Board for a loan to undertake the seemingly impossible task of repairing the flood damage and making the church usable again. The project was successful. Within two years the congregation had grown and the church was once again very active in the community. Other activities were established within the church to provide services to young people and other church members. A choir was organized to sing praises unto God for His Goodness.
With the depression came hardships for the church members, but they were mostly philosophical about the state of affairs.The prevailing attitude was that they were accustomed to hardship and the Lord would deliver them as He had always done. In 1933, the name of the church was revised to reflect Eighth Street Missionary Baptist Church, and Reverend W. H. Mitchell was called as Pastor and served for forty years.
