MISSION STATEMENT
The SECOND DAMASCUS BAPTIST CHURCH is a voluntary fellowship of covenant people following the commission of Jesus Christ. We believe our first priority, as a church, is to follow Christ and his teachings. We further believe we are to win souls for Christ. Our method of winning souls is Christian witnessing.
We are an evangelistic congregation, Christ centered, people oriented, bible believing and Holy Spirit led. We’re a caring and sharing people believing that there is one Lord, one Baptism, and one Faith for all who love the Lord. We are hoping to become a people that love the Lord and each other enough to let the needs of others come before our own. We are striving to be what the Lord would have us to be; a people loving each other and lifting the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
HISTORY
This church was established by members from the Phoenix Section Community during the mid 1800's. Due to only being allowed to worship in the balcony of the white Damascus Baptist Church, Mr. Payne Henderson donated land on which the SECOND DAMASCUS BAPTIST CHURCH now stands. The members desired to have a place where they could meet together and worship the Lord. The church has now celebrated its’ 167th church anniversary in June of 2022.
The church has had many ministers, but the first minister was, Reverend Zimmerman and Reverend H.W. Seigler. Reverend Seigler served 29 years from October 1927 until 1956. Some of the other ministers of this church have been Reverend R. Whitmore, who served from 1956 to 1967. Under his leadership a new church was built, the project began June 2, 1959 and was completed May 10, 1961. The church was dedicated on October 11, 1963. The deacons were: W. B. Brooks, Chairman, James Moore, Assistant chairman, Edward Perrin, Willie H. Chappell, Willie J. Day Sr., Jessie Wrapp, John Ross, Joe Henderson, Thomas Mosley, and John H. Terry. The Reverend James Earl served five years from 1966-1971. Reverend Jackson C. Ward served ten tears from 1971 to 1981. Under his leadership the church was renovated in 1974, Sunday school classrooms were added, a bus was purchased, and the Junior Choir was formed. Additional land was also donated to assist with church expansion and the church changed it’s name to Second Damascus Baptist Church. Reverend Henry Merriweather, served seven years from 1981 to 1988 under which the yard paving project was started. In 1989, the yard was completed and the interior of the church was painted. Under the direction of Reverend Henry Mansel, who’s leadership begin November 1988, the church van was acquired, the H&M Singers were organized, and in September of 1992 the Second Damascus Fellowship Choir was re-organized.
The church was without a pastor for sometime until the Lord blessed us with a great leader, the Reverend Leroy Robertson, who was elected pastor October 14,1995. His first sermon was "Under New Management". His accomplishments are: installation of Officers, pews covered, chandeliers installed, all debts paid in full, new well pump purchased, church school growth campaign, attendance increase, re-organized multiple ministries such as: Brotherhood, Math Tutoring Ministry, Tape Ministry, Children's Church Ministry, First Aide Ministry, a storage building purchased, Second Damascus Faith Outreach Ministry organized November 2001, and new office equipment purchased. Reverend Robertson continues to expand church programs and encourage the growth of the church.