History

History

It all began September 1924 when a group of ten had a vision. Brother and Sister Felix Hearn, Sister Fredonia Martin, Cora Smith and Velma Meeks along with Wrentha Buckner who acted as recording secretary. Rev. Charles Hawkins, Rev. Mitchell Coleman assisted with the organizing and our first Pastor Rev. R. W. Warren was also present. With these individuals in place, Galilee Missionary Baptist Church was organized. The church moved from 1700 Madison Street to 1600 Connecticut Street and 1800 Adams Street.

They immediately began to build the infrastructure of the newly founded church. They quickly went to work organizing the Sunday School, Choir, Usher and Missionary Departments.

On September 27, 1930, Rev. Douglas G. Lewis was called to pastor Galilee and was installed on the first Sunday in October of 1930 with a membership of fifty people.

The congregation continued to outgrow each building and in 1935 they decided to build a larger one at 1632 Madison Street for a cost of 8,224.85.

From 1935 to 1943 the church membership grew beyond expectations, especially since the world was in the midst of World War II. Still, Rev. Lewis and the congregation had a dream of a larger church. In January of 1944, the church purchased two lots at 1548-50 Madison Street and plans for a new church were created and construction began in April 1944. On January 29, 1945, the elated Pastor and congregation marched from 1632 Madison Street to the edifice in which we worship today. In 1955 the church held a mortgage burning ceremony.

For 28 years, Rev. Lewis and his family endeared themselves to Galilee and the community. He served as Moderator of the Northern Indiana Baptist Association and President of the General Baptist Convention, U.S.A. In December of 1957 illness affected the energetic pastor until his death April of 1958.

From 1959 to 1962 Rev. Floyd E. Dumas served as Pastor of Galilee. After which, the church appointed Rev. Thomas Paul Johnson of Eldorado, Arkansas to serve as their leader in 1963. With the theme Facing New Horizons, Rev. Johnson set out to continue building God's kingdom. Attendance and membership increased as well as updating and renovations of the building for a cost of 180,000.00. As the years past, Rev. Johnson made improvements to the church. Because of generous gifts the church now was deeded more land which they paved and fenced for parking. On June 1, 1999 after 36 years of faithful and dedicated service to Galilee, Rev. Johnson retired.

In November of 2000, Rev. Charles M. Morgan of Kansas City, Kansas was installed as Pastor of Galilee. God moved us into higher ground building from our past. Under Pastor Morgan's leadership we have expanded our ministries, outreach, reaching the lost at all costs, renovating the building and most importantly learning to see life from God's point of view.

Galilee:"Making Disciples to Make A Difference In the World."