On July 9, 1918, on Rear Exchange Avenue, a band of baptized believers, by virtue of their faith and trust in our almighty God, who had migrated from the Southern United States, decided to organize a church in the Stockyard district, commonly known as the Goose Hill area today. The pioneers were Brothers Charles Smith, Att Rush, Neal McCallum, and Sisters Uldean Smith and Lena Perkins.
These faithful few had migrated to the North shortly after the turn of the century and named the church Southern Mission Baptist Church, commemorating their geographical background and their goal and mission to build a church to worship and to give God the glory. Rev. Elmer Cook was the first pastor of the Southern Mission Baptist Church. Under his leadership, the church experienced spiritual growth.
Rev. Cook and the congregation purchased a house on Winstanley Avenue. It was torn down and the first church building was erected. On September 23, 1923, Rev. Walter Sykes was called to pastor. Under his leadership, the congregation erected a new building and it was completed June 6,1924. During the period between 1923 and 1935, Southern Mission was pastored by the following Ministers: Rev. Shaw, Rev. A.B. Collins, Rev. Donohue, Rev. S.D. Harris, Rev. Rasberry and Rev. Sam Williams.
In 1925, the Church was destroyed by fire, and services were housed temporarily at 223 Winstanley Avenue. On March 22, 1935, Rev. Calvin Fearn was called to pastor the church. Under his leadership, the church grew to great heights. The church flourished spiritually and intellectually. Rev. Fearn was well respected by the community and he served as our pastor for 19 years. Rev. Fearn is credited for the erection of the church building that stands at 129 Exchange Avenue to this day.
In July 1954, Rev. Elbert Thames was called to pastor the Church. Under his guidance, a new heating system was installed as well as a central air conditioning system. Other accomplishments included: construction of Sunday School classrooms in the lower level, a storehouse for needy persons, an establishment of a First Aid Unit, and the installation of a Public Address System. The following organizations were formed: a Junior Choir, a Booster Choir, a Young Matrons Auxiliary, Missionary Circles, a Deaconess Board, a Brotherhood Ministry, a Board of Christian Education, the Baptist Youth Fellowship and a Men's Basketball Club. During 1959, a Hammond church organ was purchased and installed in the sanctuary. The Church also sponsored a Sunday School and a Baptist Training Union extension in the East St. Louis Gomper Homes area for several years.
Rev. A.L. Gee was called to pastor in July 1960. He assumed the pastoral duties of the church on the first Sunday in August 1960. The Church showed marked progress under his leadership. He placed special emphasis on developing and living Christian lives. The following accomplishments noted the progress of the Church under his leadership: the liquidating of the mortgage on the parsonage, the installation of new heating plants in the Church building and in the parsonage, redecorating the parsonage, purchasing two new pianos, a refrigerator for the church kitchen, office furniture for the pastor's office and a church bus, and many other outstanding accomplishments. Rev. Gee was responsible for a complete renovation program of the Church building. More than 350 persons were added to the congregation during his tenure of service. The Church building was partially renovated in 1968. This included new exterior doors, rebuilding the front steps of the main entrance, installing a canopy over the front entrance, a new ceiling in the basement, new tile floors, building and furnishing the pastor's office, and installing a sound system so sacred music could be played throughout the area daily during the evenings. The Church also sponsored a broadcast service each Sunday for many years, designed especially for the benefit of the sick and shut ins.
Pastor Gee, sensing the decline in population in the Goose Hill area, began to look toward relocating the Church building. After much prayer and discussion, relating to the future of the Church, the pastor was informed by the committee of the Winstanley Baptist Church that its property could be purchased. Our congregation was so informed and again, after much prayer and deliberation between the two congregations, we voted to purchase the property from Winstanley Baptist. The contract was signed between the two congregations on Sunday, February 1, 1970, at 4:30 p.m. at the Winstanley Baptist Church. We officially moved to the new location on July 1, 1970.
In 1970, Rev. A.L. Gee, reactivated two choirs the Youth Choir and the Inspirational Choir. The Red Circle and Sunshine Band, which are a part of the Mission Department, were also reorganized. Rev. Gee personally supervised the Southern Mission Girl and Boy Scouts for more than nine years. For many years, the Educational Building was used to house the Slade Elementary School classes and Project CEPT, a school for Continuing Education for Pregnant Teenagers of East St. Louis School District #189.
The Church participated for a period with the Mid City Senior Citizens group, a national program. In the area of recreation, the Church has sponsored three softball teams for boys and girls, which have won championships several times. This project was sponsored by the Metro East Ministers Alliance. We also cooperated with the activities of the New Life Evangelistic Center of this City.
On May 22, 1986, Rev. Jerome Jackson, I, Sr. became Pastor of Southern Mission Missionary Baptist Church. He has done a remarkable job in leading our membership to higher levels spiritually through Christian Education. Under his administration, the following have been accomplished: The mortgage was paid off. A new heating system was installed in the educational building. The air conditioning system was repaired and updated. The sanctuary and educational building were painted. The property adjacent to the church on the north side was purchased. An audio and video tape ministry was instituted as part of our outreach ministry. The weekly Bible Study was started so members and non-members could grow and mature in the Word of God. Copiers were purchased and the church was introduced into the world of computers. The Youth Choir, Spiritual Voices and Children's Choirs were organized. Each year we sponsor two weekly Bible Institutes for advanced study. At one time we provided meeting space for young mothers through an organization called MELDS Young Moms (a ministry to young unwed mothers associated with the Comprehensive Mental Health Center). For several years we sponsored a SAFE Halloween carnival for entertaining the children of our Church and community. For several years, we sponsored a prison ministry at Menard Penitentiary.
Currently, Southern Mission Missionary Baptist Church has more than 850 members.
