Our History

According to available resources in 1998, Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church was organized on July 5, 1928, under the leadership of Rev. Forest Few. Reverend Wagstad was the chairman and moderator, and Sis. M. Few was the recording secretary. After organizing the church Reverend Wagstad commented on how great it was to organize another Missionary Baptist Church. Sister M. Few and Brother James Bayer were named pillars of the church. The church was located in the “Hog Bottom” area near the present location of Dunbar High School (Richley Avenue). Neither official records nor personal recollections can identify the exact location. Soon thereafter, the church moved to Norwood Street. Again, official records are not available to identify the exact location. Local historians speculate, however, that the church was located in the general area of Linden Recreational Center. It is assumed that both of these properties were owned by Reverend Few. At some point they may have been turned over to others.

After the church was established, Reverend Few allowed Reverend John Wright to assume leadership. During Pastor Wrights pastorate, he purchased a lot for $100 at 262 Hanover Street and the members built with their own hands their first church building and moved into it with great pride. Located in the western part of the city, this building is referred to as the “Old Macedonia.” The area was known as Crown Point but it is now called Jefferson Township. In 1942, Salem Missionary Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Reverend Moragne, united with Macedonia. This merger lasted for less than a year. Because of dissension, Rec. Moragne (an associate minister) took a small group and re-established Salem Baptist Church. Reverend Wright pastored until his death in 1947. Reverend Eddie Gray, the associate minister, carried on the pulpit duties and worked with the new pastors until his death in the late 1950’s.

Three months after the death of Reverend Wright, Reverend Ed Varner was called as pastor. He held this position for one year and five months. Reverend Varner left the church in 1949. The church was left without a pastor, and the membership decreased.

Marcus T. Clark, a deacon of the church, was called to the ministry in July 1949. On March 17, 1950, Reverend Marcus T. Clark became the pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. At this time, there were only seven members: Sister M.L. Clark, Deacon & Sister G. Cook, Deacon J. Bryant, Deacon Masters, Sis. Fannie Hardwick and Sister Moragne. Soon, however, the Holy Spirit led people from all over the area to Macedonia. The church grew at a rapid pace between 1950 and 1961, and a larger building was needed. The building at 27 North Gettysburg Avenue, our current location, was purchased in 1961, for $80,000. In 1962, on the second Sunday in February, a motorcade of over three hundred people left 262 Hanover Street and proceeded to the new church at 27 North Gettysburg Avenue. Some people called this a move to the “downtown” location even though the church was not located in downtown Dayton. This was a big day in the history of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. Ten years after the building was purchased, the mortgage was burned.

The church membership continued to grow at a fast pace. People were coming from everywhere to see the “new” Macedonia. A highlight during this time was the Youth Church, which was attended by about as many children and youth as the adults who were in attendance upstairs. The last Reverend J.D. Smith and other supervised the youth church. They had their own choir, ushers, and junior deacons. Youth services were conducted in the basement of the church at the same time as the adult worship upstairs.

Pastor Clark had a vision “as far as he could see, there were people coming.” As he worked with the church, he also furthered his ministry education at the Dayton Bible College. He received a certificate from Simmons Theological Seminary in Cincinnati and received an honorary degree for faithful ministry. Various ministries were implemented under Pastor Clark’s leadership, such as, the Youth Choir, Gospel Chorus, Senior Choir, Junior and Senior Usher Boards, Tape Ministry, Van Ministry, and many others. There were seventeen (17) preachers licensed and ordained, as well as hundreds of people joined the church.

The Reverend Marcus T. Clark was pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church for forty-three years until his retirement on October 17, 1993. After his retirement, he immediately joined the church. He died on January 6, 1994. Reverend Emanuel Cowan (an associate minister) assumed the pulpit duties and worked with the new pastor until his death in 1996.

On the second Sunday of December, 1994, the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church membership voted to accept Reverend Robert E. Baines, Jr., of Syracuse, N.Y., to be the next pastor. Pastor Baines, Jr. came with experience, educational degrees, new ideas, new vision, and a new leadership style. Under his leadership, hundreds of people joined or reinstated into Macedonia. Christian education and relevant ministry received continued emphasis resulting in the implementation of over twenty additional ministries, the purchase of Macedonia Manor, Inc. (24 apartments, 2 houses, and a commercial building), the development of many disciples, and a multiple staff. Dr. Robert E. Baines, Jr. served Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church until his resignation on May 10, 2009.

On November 22, 2009, Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church ended a six month search for a Pastor when the church unanimously called Rev. Jamison D.H. Hunter as Pastor.

We are excited and enthusiastic about what God is doing and going to do in the life of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church under our new shepherd. We will continue to be a church Committed to the Master, Connected through Ministry and Concerned about Man.