Church History

It was Thursday morning, June 14, 1949, when God awakened Rev. C.B. Moore at about 4 a.m., and commanded him to get dressed and go driving. As God had dealt with Abraham, so He did with Rev. Moore, for "he went out, not knowing whither he went." He started driving about 5a.m., under the direction of the Holy Ghost, and within 30 minutes he had arrived at 3811 Easton Avenue, a vacant store. It was there Godlifted his eyes to the FOR RENT sign and said, "This is the place." On Friday morning, June 15, Rev. Moore called Silverblatt Realty Company and told them he wanted to rent this building. As God had fixed it, the transaction was handled by phone. He rented 50 chairs that were delivered that same Friday. On Saturday, June 16, some of the interested Christians met Rev. Moore and worked all day renovating the building. On Sunday morning, June 17, 1949, they held their first service, including Sunday School, with atotal of 40 persons....God blessed their gathering and sealed it with the Power of the Holy Ghost.

In August, 1949, they invited the Berean Missionary Baptist Association, the presiding Moderator, and some of the sister churches of the Association to officially organize their mission into a Missionary Baptist Church. During that meeting, Rev. Moore recommended the name of the church to be Midwestern Missionary Baptist Church. His recommendation was adopted by the whole body. Rev. Moore then became Pastor and Founder of their God-given Midwestern.

In October 1954t h e pastor and Trustees bought a little frame house at 3949 St. Ferdinand Avenue. The pastor and his brother, Jesse A.Moore, were building contractors. They renovated this little house and made A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE COUNTRY CHURCH BUILDING, with the help of anyone who would are could help. They made great history in this little place for 7 years and God continued to bless and multiply the membership.
In December 1961, the pastor and trustees purchased a parcel of ground located at the current location of 3927 North Market Street. They secured a contractor, and he began construction on July 19, 1962. The church was completed in the middle of November 1962. The members marched into their new building on November 18, 1962.

Rev. Moore and the First Lady Lillie Moore faithfully served Midwestern for 51 years until his retirement in November 2000.
During the annual church meeting in November 2000, Rev. Moore announced that he would be stepping down as pastor. He stated that he was recommending Rev. Jeffrey W. Grimes as his replacement. Rev. Grimes had been a member of the congregation all of his life. The membership unanimously voted for Rev. Grimes. Rev. Grimes assumed the role of Pastor January 2001. Under the leadership of Rev. Grimes, the Church was able to add a wing to the building, which allowed us to become handicap accessible. Rev. Grimes and the First Lady Michelle Grimes faithfully served Midwesternfor 14 years until his resignation in November 2015.

The associate ministers, Rev. Isadore Maney and Rev. Derrick Shaffer carried on the churches ministerial duties. In 2016, the Trustees asked Bishop Michael Jones if he would send one of his ministers to assist our ministerial staff. He sent Rev. Reginald Williams. In 2017 a Pastor Search Committee was formed. Rev. Williams, along with others, submitted his resume. He was faithful to the Church before and through the pandemic.

After the shutdown from the pandemic, the Church reconvened in October 2021. The membership voted to install Rev. Williams as the Pastor in 2022 and he was installed on June 12, 2022 with his wife, First Lady Linda Williams at his side.