Synopsis of Shalom Baptist Church History
1955-2008
Shalom Baptist Church was organized, as a New Testament Missionary Baptist Church, June 10, 1955, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Goode, 740-27th Street, Newport News, Virginia, by the late Reverend Joseph Brackett Reid, D.D.
Mrs. Mary Francis Reid led the first song, “Let the Light from the Lighthouse Shine on Me.” In keeping with the spirit of love, harmony, and peace: the name, “Shalom Baptist Church” was suggested by Reverend Dr. Reid based on the principles preached by “Jesus who in His Sermon on The Mount” said, in St. Matthew 5:19, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God,” with the initial church motto–“To Minister to People and Serve the Community.” Each Sunday, Shalom Baptist Church parishioners quoted, “Shalom (Peace), Shalom Aleichem (My Peace Be With You),” from 1955 to 1988.
During its initial organization and framework, the following 12 persons were present:
Reverend Dr. Joseph B. Reid Samuel Clarke James Page
Dr. Mary Frances Reid Weldon Davis Louise Sample
Ida Flake Alexander Charity Goode William T. Stewart, Jr.
Francis Burnette Artis J.H. Goode Dorsey Washington
The following were elected as the first church officers:
Reverend Dr. Joseph Reid: Pastor
Dr. Mary Frances Reid: Church Secretary
William T. Stewart, Jr.: Trustee/Church Clerk
Dorsey Washington: Deacon
Weldon Davis: Deacon
James Page: Deacon
Samuel Clark: Deacon
Chauncey Pringle: Deacon
Without a permanent church home, the Pastor and members of the Church of God, a white congregation, at 850-28th Street, Newport News, invited the Reverend Dr. Reid and his small group of Christians to worship and use their church home for their worship services after their regular morning services. On September 25, 1955, the Shalom Baptist Church agreed to purchase the “Little Shalom” church and its parsonage from the Church of God. On Monday, May 14, 1956, Shalom Baptist Church was officially certified as a “Baptist Church” by the Tidewater Peninsula Baptist Association, which allowed membership and church recognition within the Virginia Baptist State Convention and the National Baptist Convention.
The First Church Anniversary was observed from Sunday, June 3rd. through Sunday, June 10, 1956, with the theme “In the Cross of Christ I Glory,” based on the emphasis Scripture Psalm 133:1.
On June 17, 1962, Shalom Baptist Church celebrated the church’s mortgage burning. Shalom’s membership grew continuously from the original twelve to over 700 members with 20-25 clubs. To accommodate its increased congregational membership, two worship services were firmly incorporated at 8:00 and 11:00 a.m.
On April 18, 1964, the Shalom Baptist Church agreed to purchase its current building from the United Church of Christ. Upon entry to our current church site on March 14, 1965, a great automobile caravan of all clubs and all organizations left the premises of “Little Shalom” to the doorsill of Shalom Baptist Church, 1111-24th Street, with a great deal of community support as musical arrays were provided by local high school bands.
It is to be remembered that the first Child Care Center was established by a black church in Newport News, founded by Dr. Mary Frances Reid, September 1965.
During the years of Shalom Baptist Church, six of its members were called to the Gospel Ministry: Reverend Dr. E.T. Byrd, Reverend Dr. T.T. Brown, Reverend Joseph Dupree, Reverend Dr. M. Ivory Jefferson, Reverend Walter Dean and Reverend John A. Mann, Jr. As our pastor physically aged and health concerns evolved, Reverend Arthur House, Jr. assisted Pastor Reid with worship services. In 1988-1989, the church acknowledged and accepted the retirement of Pastor Reid, with the bestowed title, Pastor Emeritus.
Reverend Dr. Reid and Mrs. Dr Reid were towers and pillars of strength encouraging its members to develop themselves progressively and intelligently.
Mrs. Dr. Mary Francis Reid succumbed October 23, 1991 and Pastor Emeritus Reverend Dr. Joseph Brackett Reid succumbed March 20, 1994.
August 4, 1990, Reverend Nathaniel Huggins of Chesapeake, Virginia, was installed as our second Pastor, serving until February 21, 1993. Under his pastoral leadership, Reverend Huggins was accredited to implementing a central financial managerial system for church funds; organizing a Junior Church as a division of its own; and increasing the number of administrative officers of the Trustees and of the Diaconate.
January 1, 1993, our original church edifice was engulfed by fire, damaging the church’s sanctuary and water damaged portions of the church’s educational fellowship facility. Without a meeting place, our neighboring community churches opened their doors to allow us to maintain our worship service from January 10,1993 to July 1993: Wesley Grove United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, Reverend Dr. Isaac McDonald, Pastor and the First Baptist Church East End’s Family Life Center, Reverend Woodrow Brown, Jr., Pastor. Deacon Willie Manners, Chairman of the Diaconate, officiated as the church official.
A committed band of Shalomite church officers oversaw the renovations of our church, enabling the Shalomite church family to leave our hospitable neighboring community churches to return Home, to our refurbished Fellowship Hall, July 1993; and to return to our restored Sanctuary, February 27, 1994.
February 12, 1995, Reverend Peter Evans of Georgia was installed as our third pastor, serving until April 11, 1999. Under his pastoral leadership, Reverend Evans was accredited to combining choirs to a “Combined Choir”; established a Christian Education Board with Director; revamped the Youth Department as a separate entity from its previous church auxiliary; rebuilt and reconstructed the administrative and supportive measures of the church business through the ratification of the Church Constitution and Bylaws, formulated Church Policy and Procedure Committee, automated church software and the church financial system; assembled the first Church History Committee; incorporated a church newsletter entitled “The Shalomite”; allowed the publication and distribution of a compiled booklet, “Helpful Hints About The Bible” to the youth of the church; approved the organization of a monthly senior meeting group, “Fruit of the Spirit”; oversaw along with other church officers the renovations of the Educational Building with installation of modern kitchen appliances, furniture and, carpentry for the Pastor’s Conference Room and the First Lady’s Sitting Room; granted approval for the first Women’s Retreat and supported the first new monthly annual Women’s Fellowship Ministry; granted approval for a compiled training manual for the Deacon and Deaconess/Mothers’ Ministries; and encouraged the congregation to actively promote and financially support the educational growth of our youth by establishing two scholarship funds–the Reverend Dr. Joseph Brackett Reid Scholarship Fund and the Deacon Jessie T. P. Dixon Scholarship Fund.
November 20, 1999, Reverend Derrick Perkins, Sr. BTH, of Hampton, Virginia, Shalom Baptist Church’s associate minister, was installed as our fourth pastor of Shalom Baptist Church. On May 5, 2000, Pastor Perkins was bestowed the Honorary Doctoral Degree from the United Church College, Goldsboro, North Carolina, with the now distinctive epithet–Reverend Dr. Derrick Perkins, Sr.
Under his pastoral directives, the church’s mission statement is, “Preparing God’s People For the Lord’s Work” (Matthew 28:19-20). Under his pastoral leadership from 1999-2000, Pastor Perkins has maintained all our church’s local and national religious church affiliations; presented with the church approval additional trustees; deacons, deaconesses, and financial data input staff to certain designated ministries initiated and implemented the fourth Friday of each month as Youth Fellowship Night; revamped the Women’s Fellowship Ministry and Women’s Retreat as separate entities from the previous church ministry; reinstated the Church History Committee to collect and update data and artifacts of the church; reinstated the church newsletter entitled, the “Shalomite Press”; approved the genesis of the intercessory prayer group; accepted and anointed on behalf of the entire church family an electrical pair of candelabras for the communion table; maintained the updated renovations of newly installed windows and a sophisticated automatic-controlled central air and heating for the Christian Educational Building and for the Fellowship Hall; initiated a quarterly meeting with all church ministries’ presidents to correlate the church theme within their ministries activities; submitted with the church’s approval the Church’s Annual Homecoming Observance was reinstated from the third Sunday in August to the third Sunday in October; and, to acknowledge the joyful bond of new members–a New Member’s Awareness Bulletin Board has been established.
For the year 2001, Reverend Dr. Derrick Perkins presented the church theme, “Growing Spiritually In The Word of God,” with the emphasis Scripture II Timothy 2:15. Our church witnessed many improvements to our church building to accommodate the members, physical needs: and additional officers were appointed to maintain the total care ministry to our members. To assist the Pastor to aid in the “holistic spiritual ministry: to the members and to aid in the advancement and knowledge of “God’s salvation” within the community, Pastor Perkins was spiritually lead to accept the divine callings and add to his ministerial staff the first licensed husband and wife ministerial team, Reverend Roger and Karen Robbins, the first – First Lady licensed in Evangelism, Evangelist Iris Perkins, and the first female congregational member licensed in Pastoral Teaching and Leadership, Reverend Arnita S. Perry.
As the year 2002 began with “divine spiritual visions” from the Heavenly Father, Pastor Perkins presented the church theme, “Making Disciples For The Kingdom Of God” with the emphasis Scripture Luke 10:1-2. The year embarked with a church-wide workshop on the “Workings of the Holy Spirit,” accentuating how to care for a church worshipper under the Holy Spirit with certain ministries interacting. To enhance the “spiritual life of discipleship” for the elected church officers, all 2002 church officers were involved in the Annual Christian Education Leadership Workshop on “Spiritual Leadership.” To facilitate in the construction of a Fellowship Hall’s double bathroom facility, many monetary donations were presented by families, couples, and a scholarship group, with completion in December.
Pastor Perkins presented with the church’s approval the implementation of “Unity Day,” an annual third Sunday celebration in July, combining the annual Men’s and Women’s Day’s Observances, which will now allow more time with families and have predetermined monetary gifts from each member and from each ministry.
In 2003, Pastor Perkins presented the church wide theme, as an extension of 2002, - “Embracing Evangelism: Making Disciples for the Kingdom of God,” with the emphasis Scripture, Luke 14:16-24. As technology increased in worship services of today, the Audio-Video Ministry was installed to televise “all live church services” via TV monitors within the Fellowship Hall, the Sunday School’s Adult Classroom, and in the Pastor’s Study; especially when seating is limited in the main sanctuary, and when members are involved in church related activities in other church areas during the service(s). To maintain a monthly beautification of the sanctuary a decorating committee has been established, as a subdivision of the Christian Education Ministry. The Church History Committee began the process of compiling the “first” hardback publication of our church history from June 10, 1955-January 20, 2003, with the assistance of the Peace River Printing Company. To incorporate all the choirs of the church with the distinct service to sing when visiting other churches, the “Mass Choir” was established. To assure assistance for the church to be opened and to provide any security for any church meeting(s) or scheduled event(s) of each week, the “Deacons and Trustees Week Assignments” were formulated.
In July 2003, Noon Day Bible Study and Spiritual Growth Classes were begun on Wednesday of each week.
For the New Year 2004, Reverend Dr. Perkins presented the church wide-theme, “Moving to the Next Level in Evangelism,” with the emphasis Scripture Luke 14: 16-24. During the month of January, presentations of musical “boom” boxes were made to the Sunday School Ministry, and a hand-built large television stand for the church’s oversized television in the Fellowship Hall, and the new appointment for both the Director of Christian Education and her Assistant. During February, our first hard back church history publication was distributed to our members and an edition was presented to the Pearl Bailey Library of Newport News, Virginia, as a cataloged history reference item. The Golden Praise Dancers of nine original members debuted. In March, the Youth Director and the Youth Sponsors presented new robes for the youth’s Heavenly Praise Dancers and the Youth Choir. During, this year, new constructions and many new programs were incorporated, several members were recognized for their longevity of committed services to this church, and the consecration of two deaconesses were observed. Pastor Perkins implemented weekly ‘Spiritual Growth Classes;’ the ‘Noon Day Bible Study,’ on Wednesdays, were established; the ‘Street Evangelism’ was established with weekly shared evangelistic teachings, to designated community areas; and on every 4th Sunday “Happy Birthday” Monthly Recognition for members was instituted with a creative song sung and gifts presented. In November, the Reverend Roger Robbins was ordained as a minister of the gospel, by Reverend Dr. Perkins, Sr. In December, instead of our Annual Church Members’ Christmas Dinner, the church sponsored full course meals for several community homeless groups in our church’s Fellowship Hall, over 100 individuals were served. In addition our church offered self-help workshops and provided many gifts to all the homeless age groups.
In 2005, the Pastoral vision was to advocate each member to adhere and to possess Christ-like perspectives, and Christ-like conducts; therefore, Pastor Perkins presented the church-wide theme, “Christ-Like Living” with the emphasis Scripture Colossians 3:17. Due to deaths of several members, newly appointees were assigned to vacant and other key positions, the ordination of one Deacon was observed in January, as a continuance to edify the body of Christ. Remodeling of the other church areas were initiated. Since our congregation’s membership has increased, in February, our church has purchased the adjacent property connected to our present parking lot on 25th Street, for additional parishioners’ parking areas. This year’s significant observation was the “Celebration of the 50th Church Anniversary,” June 12th. These past FIFTY YEARS have given everyone of us a glorious, dynamic experience of working with the LORD, for the labor has been hard, but fruitful. We have obtained greater knowledge of Him. We have been weak, but it was He who strengthened us and it was He who gave each of us a deeper faith to produce good works to maintain the unity of this great Branch of Zion. Words are not at our command to express how grateful we are that GOD HAS ALLOWED US TO SEE THIS 50TH CHURCH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!
Shalom’s first Evangelist Explosion was held on the church parking lot on April 29th and 30th 2005. Reaching out to community citizens and spreading the gospel was the goal of Reverend Evangelist Iris F. Perkins, our evangelist organizer and leader.
“Behold children are a heritage from the Lord” Psalm 127:3.
The nursery at Shalom was reopened after many years of silence on May 1, 2005. Children up to age 5 are supervised in the nursery on the 2nd floor of the Education Building under our Nursery Coordinator, Sister Sandra Williams.
“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5
Reverend Evangelist Iris F. Perkins extended an invitation to anyone interested in serving on the Evangelism Team to meet on May 17, 2005.
Shalom celebrated their 50th Anniversary on June 11th and 12, 2005. Anniversary Breakfast was held in the church’s fellowship hall and the Gala Dinner was held at the Clarion Hotel, Hampton, Virginia. Anniversary Theme was “Shalom (Peace), Shalom Aleichem (My Peace Be With You). Emphasis Scripture: Matthew 5:1-19
Reverend Roger Robbins graduated from the Rock Church of Hampton, VA I.C.B.T. on June 17, 2005. Reverend Robbins’ dedication and services have been greatly appreciated by Reverend Perkins and Shalom.
Shalom fellowshipped with Reverend Evangelist Iris F. Perkins on July 16, 2005 as she presented and signed copies of her book, Deliver Me From…, dedicated to the memory of Reverend Karen L. Robbins.
Unity Day was celebrated on July 17, 2005 with guest minister Reverend Dwight O. Steele, Sr. and Pilgrim Baptist Church of Roanoke, Virginia.
Missionary Patricia Johnson requested sign up for the new Homework Assistance Program that began in September 2005 under her leadership.
Shalom traveled to Atlanta, GA on September 1-4, 2005. Reverend Derrick Perkins, Sr. led the ll:00 AM services as guest minister for Reverend S. John Bartley, Atlanta, GA. Two popular televised mega churches: World Changes Ministry- Dr. Cleflo Dollar and New Birth Ministry-Bishop Eddie Long were visited by Shalomites. Reverend Derrick Perkins, Sr. and Reverend Evangelist Iris Perkins remained in Atlanta to attend the National Baptist Convention.
Reverend Derrick Perkins, Sr. celebrated his Sixth Anniversary as Pastor of Shalom Baptist Church on October 9, 2005.
Monies was collected and donated in October 2005 to support the survivors of the Katrina Hurricane and the Tsunami.
Reverend Derrick Perkins, Sr. requested that recent plaques, certificates, awards that have been received by Shalom Baptist Church, Reverend Perkins, Sr., and Shalomites, be placed in the vestibule and current plaques and awards now displayed be placed in the church library.
For the New Year of 2006, Reverend Dr. Derrick Perkins, Sr. presented the church theme: “Reclaiming The Christian Family.” Joshua 24:15c
Ordination Services for Reverend Evangelist Iris F. Perkins and Reverend Arnita Snead Perry were held on January 29, 2006.
Shalom Baptist Church added pages of history to Newport News and the Tidewater communities when we featured renowned civil rights attorney and published author Mrs. Frankie Muse Freeman as the guest speaker during our Black History Month celebration on February 25, 2006.
On February 26, 2006, Shalom’s Combined Choir Ministry presented its Annual Black History program. Celebrating Community: A Salute to Our Spiritual, Educational and Civic Leaders was the theme.
Shalom lost eight (8) members due to death from May 2005 to February 2006. Shalom received and welcomed thirty-two (32) new members from March 2005 to March 2006.
A recommendation was received to move the Nurse Ministry to another level as a Health Care Ministry and to have workshops, screening and check-ups for Shalom’s members and the community. The recommendation was accepted by the church body in April 2006.
The First Family Conference of Shalom was held on September 22nd and 23rd, 2006. The church met at the Great Wolf Lodge in Historical Williamsburg, Virginia. Our theme was “Reclaiming the Christian Family” Joshua 24:15c.
Reverend Derrick Perkins, Sr. celebrated his Seventh Anniversary as Pastor of Shalom Baptist Church on October 4, 2006 through October 6, 2006.
November 2006 church meeting Shalom’s Mission statement and vision plan was given. The Mission Statement “Preparing God’s People for the Lord’s Work”. Matthew 28:19-20: The Vision Plan “To Equip the Body of Christ Through Preaching and Teaching The Word and To Win Souls for the Kingdom of God.” Banners were placed in the sanctuary at a later date.
For the New Year of 2007, Reverend Dr. Derrick Perkins, Sr. presented the church theme, as an extension of 2006, “Reclaiming The Christian Family: Reaching Out to Make a Difference.” Joshua 24:15c.
It was agreed in the church business meeting January 2007 that we would reinstate our Annual Men’s Day to be held July 8, 2007 and our Annual Women’s Day to be held November 11, 2007 in lieu of Unity Day. Reverend Derrick Perkins, Sr. celebrated his Eighth Anniversary as Pastor of Shalom Baptist Church on October 10, 2007 to October 14, 2007. Pastor’s reference scripture was Isaiah 43:18-21. A new sound system which included new monitors, ceiling mount speakers and a new mixer board were installed in the sanctuary. Brother Lloyd Bass was nominated to serve on the Trustee Ministry. In December Shalom accepted the nominations for two Deaconess-In-Training and one Deacon-In-Training. We also celebrated the ordination of one new Deacon.
January 2008, Reverend Dr. Derrick Perkins, Sr. presented the church wide theme: “Growing In Faith”, with the emphasis Scripture Mark 4:1-9. Worshippers were presented with a “Growing In Faith” Wildflower Seed packet which stated, “As these seeds grow, let your Faith grow! Shalom has been blessed to purchase land at Twenty-Fifth Street and Roanoke Avenue. Shalom Baptist Church Radio Ministry “A Moment of Peace” started February 2008 on station WTJZ 1270 AM. God has always used history as a tool for revealing Himself and our church history is the record of God relating to man through Jesus Christ. Please continue praying for God’s guidance in our growing process. We know and believe God has better things in store for us and we will glorify His name in everything that we do.
God has blessed Shalom Baptist Church with a prosperous 2007-2008 year. Let us all continue to pray that our rich history not grow dim, but that it continues to thrive and flourish with God’s blessings.
Our church history is by no means complete; we look to our continued devoted and wise members to persevere with the pages of our historical heritage. We as “Shalomites” believe our church is the home of our soul, the altar of our devotion, the heart of our faith, the center of our affection, the highest place of our activities. We owe Shalom Baptist Church our benevolence, our prayers, and our allegiance to the founder, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen