History of the Church

History of Macedonia Baptist Church

Origins (1920)

After the First World War, there was no Baptist Church in the Bethesda–Chevy Chase area for Black worshippers. The only place of worship was a Mission under the leadership of Reverend James Jones, a Methodist minister. Inspired by a desire for their own congregation, a group of men and women sought to establish an independent Baptist church.

Macedonia Baptist Church was organized in 1920 in the home of Deacon Henry Thomas in Scotland, a small settlement near Potomac, Maryland, with just 7 to 9 persons. Reverend Davis, pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Lincoln Park, set these worshippers up as a Baptist Mission under the leadership of Reverend Will Mason — a young preacher and son of Mount Calvary who was just beginning his ministry. Mount Calvary is considered the Mother Church of Macedonia.

By February 15, 1920, Reverend Mason was ordained and plans were laid to establish the Mission as an independent church. The newly formed congregation would be named after the Macedonia Church in Virginia, the home of Mrs. Nettie Tyler.

Early Homes of the Church

In 1928, Reverend Mason purchased property on Elm Street near Arlington Road in Miller's Additions, an early Bethesda subdivision. The chapel stood close to the Georgetown Branch railroad, where African American workers were employed in nearby coal and building materials businesses. It was a house church — but the congregation raised the roof and added a steeple.

In 1937, Macedonia moved to the west side of River Road, just north of the railroad tracks, where services were held in a house church adjoining the 1.04-acre Moses Cemetery, established by White's Tabernacle Number 39.

In 1945, the congregation moved to its current home at 5119 River Road — originally a house built in 1912 by community resident William Clipper. The building was renovated in two phases: first the basement was dug out and built while the congregation worshipped below, then the walls and roof were replaced. For two weeks during that reconstruction, the congregation worshipped at First Baptist Church in Ken-Gar. The restructuring of the upper part of the church was completed under the guidance of Reverend Arthur Jones, and the upper auditorium was dedicated in September 1958.

Macedonia was re-dedicated and a cornerstone laid in 1983 under Reverend Warren. In 2004, twelve stained glass windows were installed.

Our Pastors

• Reverend Will Mason — founding pastor, served until his death on July 1, 1948

• Reverend William A. Ball — became Pastor February 1949, served seven years

• Reverend Arthur Jones — called 1958; oversaw completion of the upper auditorium; retired September 1963

• Reverend John E. Allgood — became Pastor October 13, 1963; resigned 1969

• Reverend Robert Lucas, Sr. — served as Acting Pastor following Reverend Allgood's resignation

• Reverend Roy W. Warren — called February 1975; founded the Black Ministers Conference of Montgomery County at Macedonia; cornerstone laying July 16, 1983; retired February 1988; named Pastor Emeritus 1999

• Reverend Sterling King, Jr. — installed as Pastor July 17, 1988; retired August 2016; named Pastor Emeritus 2017

• Reverend Segun Adebayo — installed as Pastor June 4, 2017, following service as Interim Pastor; current pastor with a major focus on Youth Development and Character Building

Outreach & Community

In 1943, Macedonia — led by Reverend William Mason — contributed $300 for a room in the "colored wing" of Suburban Hospital. Reverend Mason declared: "Supporting the hospital for this community cannot be a healthful one unless the health needs of the colored people are cared for, too."

Since May 1953, Macedonia has participated in the United Singing Convention of Montgomery County alongside four sister churches: Allen Chapel AME, First Baptist Church of Ken-Gar, Lee Memorial AME, and Pilgrim Baptist Church. Macedonia was also a founding contributor to the Martin Luther King Memorial Project and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Under Pastor Adebayo's leadership, the church has engaged in a long struggle through the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition to restore dignity and honor to ancestors buried in Moses Cemetery, desecrated by the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County. In October 2019, Macedonia welcomed King Toffa IX of Porto-Novo, Benin Republic, during his royal visit of reconciliation and the performing of libation at the Moses Cemetery.

100 Years and Counting

For over 100 years, Macedonia Baptist Church has stood as a testament to God's preserving power. The building is a monument ordained by God in remembrance of the vibrant community of African Americans who lived along River Road. Beyond our founding families and their descendants, faithful Christians from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Barbados, Jamaica, Nigeria, St. Vincent, Swaziland, and Trinidad and Tobago have cast their lot with Macedonia over the years.

We have come this far by faith, leaning on the everlasting arm. Prayers have sustained us this far — and prayers will keep us!