Church History
In 1903, the late Rev. Cager Scott organized the Greater Beulah Baptist Church in one room of his house on the corner of Dry Avenue and 12th Street.
In 1904, the location changed to Magnolia Street and a little red church building was erected.
The late Rev. John Morris succeeded Rev. Scott and served until his passing. His successor was the late Rev. Freeman who served as pastor for three years.
In July 1932, the late Rev. M Morris became the pastor and served faithfully until October 1935.
On November 5, 1935, Rev. G. W. Mitchell was called to serve as pastor and he accepted the call on November 18, 1935.
In 1942, under Rev. Mitchell’s leadership, a wooden church building was erected at 868 Magnolia Avenue.
In 1958, an urban renewal program began, and the church was targeted for destruction. Therefore, it had to be relocated.
In 1959, the trustees and the pastor found three plots of land located at 609, 611, and 613 6th Avenue. On these plots a brick structure was erected and incorporated. At the same time, the word “Greater” was added. The church was renamed “The Greater Beulah Baptist Church, Inc.”
On May 3, 1959, the first service was held for the Greater Beulah Baptist Church, Inc.
The church membership increased to 400 plus. The church was decorated inside with new carpeting. A chandelier and an air conditioner were also purchased at this time.
The senior, gospel, and junior choirs were organized in May 1959.
On March 13, 1973, Rev. G. W. Mitchell departed this life after 38 years of faithful service.
In November 1973, Rev. Walter L. Darden was called to pastor. Under Rev. Darden’s leadership, Mitchell’s Hall was completed and dedicated. The Inspirational and Mass Choirs were organized. The church pews were cushioned. New carpet was installed. A church bus was purchased. A utility and a water fountain were purchased.
A plot of land was purchased for use as the church’s parking lot. New furniture for the foyer and pastor’s study was purchased.
A corner stone was laid. The mother board was organized by Sis. G. W. Mitchell and she was named “mother of the church.”
Six plots of land were purchased, filed and recorded. The matron circle purchased a prayer bench and clock for the sanctuary. A baby grand piano was purchased and paid in full along with the property.
In 1988, Rev. Darden resigned.
In 1989, Rev. Dr. Chester M. Hayes was called to Pastor the Greater Beulah Baptist Church. Under Pastor Hayes’ leadership a PA system, an office copier, a chain link fence, a drink machine, and an electric marquee were purchased.
The lots adjacent to the church were cleared and additional property was purchased.
An organ, a computer, new heating and air conditioning units were purchased. The parking lot was paved. The roof was repainted. Chairs were purchased for the choir loft, and the Mass Choir donated new drapes.
The Chester Medley Hayes Young Adult Choir was organized. The final installment on the church property was paid on October 22, 1995.
Since 1995, the church has purchased a new copier, an Emotions Cut-A-Way Bus for Sunday School transport and a MCI MC-9 coach for travel. The ground breaking and construction of our new educational and administrative wing began. Greater Beulah began to move from vision to success under the umbrella of God’s grace.
In August 1999, we officially moved into our new education, fellowship and administrative wing. It is fully equipped with multi-stall restrooms for men and women. The kitchen is fully commercial. The fellowship hall is equipped with round tables and special dining chairs and two classrooms for overflow for dining. There are a total of six classrooms well-equipped with telephones; a state of the art telecommunications systems; media center equipped with two computers, one with a scanner to do all of the church’s media work; a stamp machine; a secretary’s telephone with a lamp and six line unit and a pastor’s office that is fully equipped with a three-fourth bath.
Two televisions and two VCRs have been purchased by the church and the deacon ministry for the pastor’s study and the media center. The Mass Choir purchased new robes.
The Golden Age Ministry was organized. Pastor Hayes started a “First Fruit” Prayer service on Tuesday Mornings at 6:00 A.M.
A new storage building has been purchased.
Women Outreach Ministry – 2008 started by Sis. Stephanie Hayes.
Greater Beulah Women of Distinction were honored in 2008 to include Sis. Lillie Forston, Sis. Catherine Gordon, Sis. Edith Spencer, Sis. Betty Jones, Sis. Sarah McDuffie, Sis. Pauline Parker, Sis. Thelma Anderson, and Sis. Edna Blackmon. Sis. Stephanie Hayes – Coordinator.
Greater Beulah Men of Distinction were honored in 2008 to include Dea. Charlie Pipkins, Dea. Walter Jones, Dea. Joseph Gunn, Dea. William Parker, Dea. William Blackmon, Dea. Woodrow Williams, Dea. Freddie Blackmon, Sr., and Dea. Freddie Blackmon, Jr. Bro. Richard Carter – Coordinator.
Information technology upgraded to consist of a color copier.
An evangelistic committee to serve the community was put in place in May 2010 with classes taught by Dr. Hayes.
October 2010 the Greater Beulah Women Outreach Ministry was organized.
Catherine Gordon Scholarship fund was established in 2010. Library was renamed.
In 2016, the church was renovated with new pews, carpet and walls were updated.
In 2017, the church purchased new air conditioners and updated the kitchen. Also, the music department purchased new microphones.
In 2018, 6th Avenue was renamed Dr. C. Medley Hayes Way. The church also added a video projection system and a new soda machine.
In 2020, Dr. C. Medley Hayes retired as pastor of Greater Beulah after 30 years of service. Dr. Maurice K. Mickles succeeded him as pastor.
Greater Beulah Missionary Baptist Church 