Liberty Baptist Church had its beginning in the early part of 1869, shortly after the Civil War, in one of the most notorious parts of the city known as “The Bay.”  A group of devout Christians, led by Brother Peter White, a member of the Fifth Baptist Church, now known   as  the  Vermont  Avenue  Baptist Church, organized a prayer meeting near the Old Barracks located on 14th Street, between “B” and “C” Streets, Northwest.         

          Liberty  Baptist Church  was  organized   in   November,  1869.  The   present  United States Commerce Department now occupies the original site where the Church had its beginning. After about six months of constant assemblage,  this  group,  which  had then grown  sufficiently large,  extended   a   call   to  Reverend Edward Willis, of Essex County, Virginia, to be its pastor. He  had  an   ability to interpret  the  word. Although  he   was  not   ordained,  Rev. Willis   accepted  the call  and assumed the pastorate.

          Under the pastorate of Rev. Willis, membership increased greatly during the first three years, forcing the congregation to seek a larger place. In 1872, land was acquired at the southeast corner of 18th and “E” Streets, Northwest, where a two-story brick structure was built and remained until 1914. On April 15, 1881, the first Board  of  Trustees was  elected  and  incorporated. The  Board consisted of Aaron Banks, John Fleming and John Banks.

          Liberty became quite famous for the preaching of “Bro. Ed”, as he was known throughout the east; the singing of the choir and its Monday night prayer meetings. On April 10, 1897, after 28 years of constant, sincere and devout labor, Rev. Edward Willis entered eternal rest. The pulpit was thus vacant for about three years.

          In April, 1900, a call was extended to Rev. Issac Tolliver   of  Waco,  Texas. He  accepted and assumed the pastorate almost immediately. Under his pastorate, the membership grew, necessitating the enlargement of the church. In addition to providing more seating capacity, the first baptismal pool was installed at Liberty. Also under Rev. Tolliver’s guidance, the first Baptist Young Peoples Union (BYPU) was organized by  Brother  Joseph  Cole  and  others.  Brother  Cole  was  the first President of the BYPU and under his direction, BYPUs were organized in Mt. Airy, Rehoboth, Rock Creek, Trinity, and Friendship Baptist Churches.

          In 1903, Rev. Tolliver established recognition for the Women’s Day Movement as the first in the history of our city. Out of this movement grew the City-Wide Missionary Societies which today are a living memorial to Rev. Tolliver. On March 3, 1913, Rev. Tolliver resigned as pastor and died in Birmingham, Alabama in November of the same year.

          On July 15, 1914, Rev. Holland Powell, of Brooklyn, New York, accepted the call to pastor.  During the interim between Rev. Tolliver’s resignation and the assumption of the leadership by Rev. Powell, the Red Cross purchased the property at 18th and “E” Streets, Northwest, paying enough to clear all debts and erect, without  a   mortgage,  the   church   at   817    23rd    Street,   N.W.   Under   Rev.  Powell’s    administration, many improvements were made and the adjoining houses on both sides of the church were  purchased. After 11 years of dedicated service, Rev. Powell died in December 1925.

l 14, 1926, a call  was  extended  to  Rev.  Hampton T.  Gaskins,  who  was  at  the  time, the honored  Pastor  of  St. Paul  Baptist  Church  in  Bladensburg,  Maryland.  Rev.  Gaskins   assumed the   pastorate of Liberty Baptist in July of 1926.

          One of many momentous occasions at Liberty was the baptism of  22 members of our church were baptized on January 20, 1929. Of those 22 saints Sister Sarah T. Honesty, Sister Audrey H. Grant, Sister Estelle G. Harrison, and Brother John Tatum, Sr. are still active members of Liberty Baptist Church today..   

          Under Rev. Gaskins’ able guidance, a $5,000.00 drive was launched to raise money for repairs to the church and church property. The drive was  so  successful that it resulted in general repairs of the church, a new roof, installation of a new heating  system, renovation of the baptistery  and installation of a new  Hammond  organ. A  complete  overhaul of the two houses was also made. He furthered the organizational operation of the Deaconess Board and organized the Gospel Chorus, Nurses Unit and many other auxiliaries. Rev. Gaskins’ sudden death on June 2, 1951, was a shock to many since he seemed to be in good health and ready for another year’s work. Once again the church was without a pastor.

          On June 24, 1952, the church called as its pastor, Rev. Wilmore A. Carter, one of the Sons of Friendship Baptist Church, who took charge on August 3, 1952. Rev. Carter’s dynamic service and forceful leadership revived and inspired the entire membership. Some of his innovations included the organization of a Youth Club, a Youth Choral Group, a Flower  Club  and  Men’s  Club. A  Church  Bulletin published weekly by the Youth Club was also started. Upon Rev. Carter’s recommendation, Rev. Frank L. White, Liberty’s own son, was chosen as Associate Minister.

          In May 1960, George Washington University, purchased the 23rd Street site of Liberty and the church members took temporary quarters in the Odd Fellows Hall at 9th and “T” Streets, Northwest.

          The site Liberty now occupies, 527 Kentucky Avenue, Southeast was purchased on May 1, 1962. On September 22, 1962, the corner-stone of the new Liberty Baptist Church was laid by the Grand Lodge of the Prince Hall Masons. The grand march to this present site was made Sunday, September 23, 1962. Rev. Carter chose as our motto, “WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS, THERE IS LIBERTY.” Rev. Carter resigned in March of 1969, eight  months  before  Liberty  celebrated her Centennial Anniversary on November 16—24, 1969. At that  time,  Liberty  received as her new Pastor, Rev. Willie J. Mason, who celebrated the event with the congregation.

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