About Mt. Carmel

Mount Carmel Baptist Church Established 1927

During the early part of 1927, a group of wandering Christians decided to come together and organize a church. This group was an offspring of First Baptist Church, located on Jefferson Street. After prayerful thinking, the group assembled on the second Monday night in May, at the Old Strong Building, and later moved to a house on North Seventh Street. The first church was built on North Seventh Street, under the pastorate of Rev. U.S. Patterson, who served until 1930.

Rev. Gordon served until 1931. Rev. F. D. Davis was pastor from 1931 through 1934. Rev. L. H. Harper served as pastor from 1935-1937. Rev. E. Grant served from May to July of 1937. Rev. W. S. Summer was pastor from 1937-1944.

Rev. L. H. Handsborough served as pastor from 1945-1979. In 1946, the church building burned beyond repair. The membership worked together and purchased land from Mrs. Roberta Owens on North Sixth Street, and a new edifice was built. In 1969, the Urban Renewal asked the membership to relocate. Again, the members worked together and were able to obtain a church building at 711 Brook Avenue, our current location. Under the pastorate of Rev. L. H. Handsborough and before his retirement in 1979, the church was cleared of all indebtedness. Rev. Edward Finley served as pastor 1980-1981.

In 1981, Rev. J. W. Watson began his pastorate at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and retired March, 2020.

In July 2020, Rev. Mitchell Davis was Pastor until his death in March, 2021. Much was accomplished during the short tenure of Rev. Davis.

In August of 2021, Rev. Robert L. Stevenson, Sr., was called as Pastor of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.