Historical Information on the Church - Pastors

The second Pastor was Reverend John King, a white minister from Virginia, licensed and ordained by the Philadelphia Baptist Association. Under his leadership from 1813 to 1832,(and this is in dispute), the Church moved from 10th Street to what was known as De Friese's Court (11th Street near Vine Street) in 1813. In 1825, the congregation moved to Haviland Place, located on 8th Street below Vine Street, and built a new Church. Mr. Charles Brooks stated that the Church continued to struggle without a Pastor and the membership decreased until 1832. (Hence the dispute with the time of Rev. King's departure). However, in 1832, Reverend James Burrows appeared on the scene.

Reverend James Burrows was born a slave and lived in Northhampton County, Virginia. One of our most interesting historical facts is now revealed. He truly felt and believed that he had been called to preach. But his master refused to allow the privilege. Through the art of persuasion, Pastor Burrows asked his master to permit him to come to Philadelphia and earn a living to purchase his freedom. His master consented to this only after Samuel Bivins and his cousin, John Bivins, both of whom were freeman, placed themselves in bondage as security for the return of Pastor Burrows. After working for a year and saving ther necessary amount to purchase his freedom, the money was sent. His friends were released and they returned to Philadelphia to assist in the work of the Church. Pastor Burrows, who had quite a successful Pastorate, organized the move of the Church from Haviland Place to pearl Street near 11th Street in 1841. His Pasotrate ended in 1846.

The fourth Pastor was Reverend Richard Vaughn who served from 1846 until 1857. During his tenure, the membership decreased.

 The fifth Pastor, Reverend James Underdew, came and served from 1859 until 1863 when he resigned the Pastorate and enlisted in the United States Army as a Chaplain.

 On August 1st, 1864, the Reverend Theodore D. Miller, was called to fill the pulpit as the sixth Pastor of the Church. Under his leadership, the congregation grew from 240 persons to over 12,000 members. The Church recognized the need for larger quarters and in 1867, a new Church was built at 10th and Cherry Streets. this building was entirely paid for during his pastoral administration. Having served his congregation for 32-1/2 years, Dr. Miller died on February 27, 1897.

Six months after the death of Dr. Miller, the Church called Dr. William A. Creditt to become their Pastor. His pastorate was illustrious because he cleared all debts and burned the mortgage on the building at 10th and Cherry Streets. Through his guidance, the Church bought its first parsonage in 1899.  Because of this great Pastor's eloquence, the congregation outgrew the building where they had worshipped for nearly 40 years. In 1906, Dr. Creditt moved the congregation to its present location. He would lead the church in its centennial celebration in 1909. Dr. Creditt is credited with starting many notable organizations like the Downingtown Industrial School. Dr. Creditt resigned the pastorate in 1915 and died in 1921.

On the 28th day of February 1916, by an almost unanimous vote the Church extended a call to the Rev. William A. Harrod, pastor of the Shiloh Baptist church of Hartford, CT. The call was accepted and he preached his introductory sermon on the first Sunday in May 1916. He made a good impression on the congregation, and they readily took to him. He was born in Baltimore, MD September 17, 1873 and was a graduate of honor of then Wayland Seminary and College (now Virginia Union University); Worcester Academy; Brown University; and Yale University Divinity school.

Rev. D Manning Jackson succeeded Dr. Harrod in 1949. He came to the church from the pulpit of Mt Zion Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas. Born in Louisiana, he did his college work at Bishop College in Texas. Later he studied at Conroe College where he also taught. His administration at FABC was one that was characterized by radical change. There was a loss of members during this period which ultimately came to an end in 1950.

Dr Charles Sumner Lee was called to succeed Rev Jackson in April of 1951. He came to the church from the pulpit of Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church in Camden, NJ. He was born in DC, but had been raised in Philadelphia and was actually a son of the church; having grown up under the pastorate of Dr William Harrod. He went to college at Virginia Union, and received his Bachelor of Divinity in 1936 from the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Under his pastorate, the church took on a new sense of spiritual development, and the congregation grew. He also reestablished the relationship with the community, through the organization of groups such as the Boy's and Girl's Scout troops, the Sewing Guild etc.... Rev. Lee was active with the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention, and he also served on the Board of Trustees of Cheyney State College. He died at the age of 61, but was very instrumental in restoring the sense of peace and harmony in the congregation, and real progress for the Kingdom of God.

Rev Randall McCaskill was the eleventh pastor of the church and was installed on the 167 anniversary of the church on June 13, 1976. He was 35 at the time of his installation. A native of Madison, IL, he graduated from Bishop college in Dallas, Texas, he was pastor of the Church for 3 years, and was replaced by Reverened Elvis Lee Turner who served from 1981 to 2000.

The current and 13th Pastor of the FABC is Pastor Terrence Griffith. Pastor Griffith was called on June 17th 2001 and was installed on the 2nd Sunday in October 2001.  A native of Grenada and a former Senator of the Grenada parliament,  Pastor Griffith has intentionally reconnected the church with the community. By the grace of God he will continue to pastor the church well and under God and lead it to higher heights.