Celebrate a '150-Year Journey: One Faith, One Ministry, One Church' with Second Baptist

Second Baptist Church in Elgin is celebrating a "150-Year Journey: One Faith, One Ministry, One Church."

To commemorate, the church, 1280 Summit St., invites you to join the kickoff with "Gospel Fest" at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23. After the Gospel Fest, there will be "A Taste of SBC." Everyone is asked to bring a dish to pass.

On Sunday, July 24, the Rev. Nathaniel Edmond will preach at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services. The sermons are inspired by the theme, "One Faith, One Ministry, One Church." The scripture reference is Psalms 145:4. Scheduled to join in the 150th anniversary are U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth; state Rep. Anna Moeller (43rd District); Cristina Castro, Democratic candidate for the 22nd State Senate District; Elgin Police Chief Jeffrey Swoboda, Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain, and the entire Elgin City Council.

During the Civil War, on Oct. 15, 1862, Rev. Benjamin Thomas of the First Baptist Church brought to Elgin, approximately 125 escaped slaves from plantations in Franklin County, Alabama. Most of the escapees were women and children; they fled behind the lines of the Union Army. This group was joined later by husbands and fathers who established the African-American community of Elgin and formed the nucleus of Second Baptist Church, which was formally organized on Dec. 2, 1866. Its first African-American minister was the Rev. Richard DeBaptiste of Chicago. One hundred fifty years later Second Baptist Church is as strong as ever!

Throughout the years, Second Baptist Church has been a pillar in the Elgin community and instrumental in the development of many ministries that promote growth spiritually and well as economically. Currently led by the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel L. Edmond, the church is content on nurturing its congregation as well as others who are in need.

In one of its outreach endeavors the church contributed $10,000 and collaborated with LaSalle Street Church of Chicago to build a duplex to provide teacher housing in Kisongo, Tanzania. The building was completed in April 2008.

In addition, the church's Sheridan School Partnership was expanded to include Larsen Middle School, and subsequently the ministry was renamed the SBC School Partnerships. On Jan. 19, 2008, the ministry received the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award from the City of Elgin. They also received the Alpha Kappa Alpha Award for Volunteerism in the spring of 2008.

In recognition of the 141st church anniversary, contributions totaling $3,500 were given to the following organizations: Bethesda Child Care Center, Boys and Girls Club of Elgin, Judson University's Harm A. Weber Academic Center, and Riverwoods Christian Center.

In February 2012, the church launched the Empowerment Ministry. This ministry is being established to provide Christian-based support, encouragement and relationship building opportunities for career development and networking. In addition, the Beautification Ministry was created to edify the interior of the church, through the art of design and interior decoration.

One again, please come out and join us in celebrating this wonderful occasion!

Visit sbcelginil.org or follow the church on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.