Ninth Street Baptist Church

  
 
By Keyonna Reed
  
  The Ninth Street Baptist Church is located in Lawrence, Kansas at 847 Ohio. One hundred thirty-seven years ago, the New England Immigrant Aid Society under the direction of Father Bateman organized the Second Missionary Baptist Church, which we know today as the Ninth Street Baptist Church. The lot where Ninth Street stands was deeded to the Immigrant Aid Society by the trustees of Lawrence Township in 1855. Meetings for the church were held in the upper floor of Green Brothers Hardware Store located between 6th and 7th Streets on Massachusetts. On March 3, 1864 a deed was given from Isiah Adams and Henry Brayling to the trustees of the Second Missionary Baptist Mission. In that same year, the construction of the church was started under the leadership of Reverend Bedford Drisdom.  
  Reverend Dudley Lee replaced Reverend Drisdom in 1865 due to a dispute within the church, which resulted in a sheriff's sale giving the deed to Reverend Lee. Because of that dispute, there was a split in the congregation. Part of the congregation purchased property at Tenth and Connecticut Streets and was called the Little Gem Baptist Church. Later, Reverend Washington was called to the church. He served as the pastor until 1885. His goal while at the church was to reunite the congregation; he was successful. Afterwards, the trustees repurchased the present site for a consideration of $1,166.88. The name of the church then became Warren Street Baptist Church.  
  From 1890 to 1909, there was a succession of pastors for the Warren Street Baptist Mission, and many modifications were made for the well being of the church. Reverend G.N. Jackson was anointed in 1910. He had the tower front added, the basement remodeled, and bathrooms and lights installed. Under his successor, Reverend Matthew Frazier, the trustees added the choir stands and the lecture room in 1930. Reverend Frazier also organized Missionary Society No. 2 and had Sunday School changed from 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. For church, this was a beneficial and radical change. At about this time, the city changed the east and west streets' names to numbers, giving Warren Street a new name; Ninth Street.  
 

In February of 1952, Reverend B.L. Wrightman took over the church. Through his evangelistic efforts, church membership grew and Ninth Street was listed as one of the banner churches in the KAW Valley District. Reverend Benjamin Davis served after him, and was responsible for handling the financial debts of the church. Speaking of which, Reverend S. Wesley Davenport, Davis's successor, stressed the importance of giving tithes. He made all the needed repairs, redecorated and added a new rear exit. Although Davenport contributed great things to the church, Reverend Harry L. Smith contributed much more in 1958. Under Smith, a new Hammond organ, tile and carpeting were installed, tables and chairs were bought for the dining room, and the baptismal pool was moved to its current location. Smith also presented a program which included activities such as weekly ministry meetings, formation of segregated choirs, Men's, Women's, and Children's Day, Adopt-a-Child, and Vacation Bible School. Many of these are still in effect today.

  
  Following Reverend Smith was Reverend Carl Johnson in May of 1968. He served as interim pastor until Reverend Junious Hambrick came to aid. He had new choir pews, pulpit furniture, and air conditioning added. Surprisingly, Reverend Carl Johnson returned in 1970. With him he brought unity, thus a new ceiling and lighting were put in the first unit of the church, new lighting in the stairway, new painting over the baptismal pool, and a parsonage was purchased. However, Reverend Charles Kennybrew made changes to the sanctuary, kitchen and vestibule, and many purchases were made for the advancement of the ministry in May 1983. One hundred four people joined the congregation; forty-one came as candidates for baptism. Since October 1995, Rene F. Brown has been the pastor. Under his guidance, over two hundred thirty people have joined Ninth Street Baptist Church.  
 
 
 

Resources

Dary, David. Lawrence; Douglas County, Kansas: An Informal History. Lawrence, Kansas: Allen Books, 1982 (pg. 194).

Ninth Street Baptist Church Directory.

9th Street Baptist Church. (Apr.2002). West Junior High School. 18 Feb. 2003 <http://history.lawrence.com/res/resource/349>

 
 
 
 

This is a Photo Explorations class project at West Junior High School, Lawrence, Kansas.
Karen Musacchio, instructor.

© Keyonna Reed, 2003.

Historic Places / Student Projects / Community Connections / West Junior High / USD 497