History of Mount Hermon Baptist Church

 

Mount Hermon Baptist Church was organized on June 21, 1896 with a small group of baptized Christian believers, who left First Shiloh Baptist Church (at Perdido and South Dorgenois Streets) and organized Mount Hermon Baptist Church.

Mount Hermon Baptist Church was first chartered on July 27, 1908, upon the request of Rev. Arthur Paul Orlage, Brothers Abraham Brown, Allen J. Carter, Willie Carter, George Cook, Charles Cross, Claiborne Davis, Charles Johnson, John Robertson, and Sis. Ellen Cook.

After worshipping in a rental building at the corner of Gravier and South Tonti Streets, they purchased ground at 2333 Perdido Street (the corner of Perdido and South Tonti Streets), and built a wooden structure where they worshipped God. Many souls were added to the Church. The Church was destroyed by fire in 1917.

When Rev. Orlage’s mission on earth was completed, God called him from labor to reward. He served as Pastor from 1896 to 1917.

Yet, the Church of God continued to march on. The Church is not man’s will, but God’s will. Deacon Abraham Brown, along with the officers and members of Mount Hermon Baptist Church continued the work started under Rev. Orlage. The stone structure was built and completed at 2333 Perdido Street without owing any debt.

Brother William Tyler was elected to serve as the second Pastor of Mount Hermon Baptist Church in October 1920. He was ordained and installed by the First District Missionary Baptist Association. Many souls were added to the Church membership. Rev. Tyler, like the minister before him, continued to do the work of the Master. Bro. George Hills was the Head Deacon. Bro. Dave Jones was the Church secretary and Sis. Evelyn Williams was Assistant Secretary. Under Rev. Tyler’s administration, a Church Center was built. When Bro. Dave Jones passed on to eternity, Sis Evelyn Williams became Church Secretary. Rev. William Tyler served faithfully from 1920 until the Great Head of the Church summoned him home from labor to reward in January 1948. When Bro. Hills was summoned to bright glory, Bro. Levi Perkins was elected Head Deacon.

The Church elected Rev. Thomas Franklin Reed as the third Pastor of Mount Hermon Baptist Church. He served well, also adding souls for the kingdom. When Bro. Perkins was called home, Bro. Albert Wright, Sr. was elected to serve as Head Deacon. He served faithfully, and assisted with the Spiritual growth and welfare of the Church. Sis. Evelyn Williams continued to serve faithfully as Church Secretary until her health failed, and her assistant, Sis. Willie Mae Andrews served until she was elected Church Secretary and Sis. Gloria Dean Wright was elected Recording Secretary. Rev. Thomas F. Reed served as another faithful Pastor from 1949 until 1967. During his administration, a Scholarship Program was initiated to encourage the young people of the Church to further their education. Souls were continually added for the kingdom.

When Rev. Reed’s mission on earth ended, Rev. Ellis Dupleche, Sr. was elected the fourth Pastor of Mount Hermon Baptist Church in 1968. He accepted the challenge to move onward and upward as each of the past Pastors had done. The members and neighbors were moving out of the area in the Third Ward; thus, in 1975 the members sought a new location to continue the work of the Master and purchased the spot of ground where Mount Hermon is presently located at 2153 North Broad Street. Our beautiful edifice was built and we humbly worshipped God. On May 24, 1984, we burnt our note for the structure of our present Church. After 23 years of faithful service, Rev. Ellis Dupleche, Sr became ill and asked that we elect his successor. We did.

The fifth Pastor, our present Pastor, Rev. John Jackson, was elected in September 2000. Rev. Dupleche passed on to receive his heavenly reward.

Each of the Pastors, elected to serve a waiting congregation of committed Christians, continued to maintain the programs set in place by those who served ahead of them. They added growth and progress to the Church, the community, and God’s program.

Our present Pastor, Rev. John Jackson, comes to us in a technological age, with things “ON THE MOVE”. There is one thing he continues to preach, as our former Pastors. “YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN”.

Three weeks after Hurricane Katrina, Pastor Jackson and Deacon Alcee Jones came back to New Orleans to access the damages on the Church. Six feet of water had invaded the Church with mass damages to the inside of the edifice. Pastor Jackson began to call members of the Executive Board and scheduled meetings to begin the work of putting the Church back together. The Executive Board scheduled meetings to begin this work. By the blessings of the Almighty God, Mount Hermon Baptist Church reopened its doors for worship service after Hurricane Katrina on Sunday, August 13, 2006.

Remember, each member of the Church helps to write the Church History by his deeds and actions. Our present Pastor challenges each of us, to serve as God has given us the ability, courage and strength. Under his leadership, souls are continuously being added to the Church. He has added several Ministries in the church: Children’s Church Ministry, the Dance Team, Drama Ministry, Married Couples Ministry, Men of Valor, the New Members Committee, the Pastor’s Support Team, the Women of Vision, and the Substance Abuse Ministry. A balcony has been added in order to provide additional seating to the growing congregation. A new parking lot was also added on the corner of Industry and Republic Sts. in order to accommodate extra member parking.

We are still “ON THE MOVE” to spiritually impact our families, neighborhoods, city, state and nation, praising the saints and proclaiming the gospel to sinners.