East End Baptist Church

The Church In The Heart!

523 East Washington Street Suffolk, VA. 23434 Phone (757) 539-3324 Fax (757) 539-2460

HISTORY OF EAST END BAPTIST CHURCH

Organized 1888- Addendum for the Year 2007

On July 21, 1888, a group of 26 people withdrew their membership from the First Colored Baptist Church (First Baptist Church, Mahan) located on Mahan Street, Suffolk, Virginia.  Out of this historic group on October 17, 1888, the Fourth Colored Baptist Church was established. The officially organized church’s name was soon changed to the Pine Street Baptist Church and later to the East End Baptist Church of Suffolk, Virginia.

     The following pastors served respectively:  Rev. L.W. Melton, Rev. Milton Brown, Rev. Green Newsome, Rev. M. B. Hucles, Rev. J. T. Wilson, Rev. Phillip L. Boone, Rev. S. W. Timms, Rev. Theodore  J. Johnson, Dr. Clarence J. Word, Dr. Victor L. Davis, Sr., and Dr. Mark A. Croston,Sr., our present pastor who came to us October 18, 1987

    In November of 2006, the Church held it’s 33 rd Annual Stewardship Banquet at Kings Fork High School.  Forty-six members of various Church ministries were honed with Service Awards.  Sixteen members were recognized as Quality Leader Award recipients.  The Umoja Award was presented to Deaconess Orpah E. West..

        In December, our first two night presentation of the Christmas Musical Drama, “Once Upon A Midnight Clear,” written and directed by Celestine Croston was presented. Numerous members participated in this presentation, featuring four-month old Devann Lewis as the Baby Jesus. On the last Sunday of the year, our annual College Day was held, with Corey Banks (VSU) and James Watson, Jr. (NSU) presiding.

        In the last year our church has experienced many accomplishments in order to uplift the year’s theme of “Whatever It Takes to…Grasp!”

        We began the year 2007 with our annual Leadership Workshop, held at the Holiday Inn, Portsmouth, Virginia, with a scrumptious breakfast served, and important information presented. Deacon William Freeman, Sr. received the 2007 Leader of Leaders Award.  The Future Leader of Leaders Award was presented to Candace Croston and Malik McBride, in our first tie ever, with the Team Spirit Award being presented to the Church Office Ministry. January Bible Study provided members a chance to start the new year off right studying John’s Letters.

        On Wednesday, January 31, 2007, our hearts were saddened by the unexpected death of our Pastor Emeritus, Dr. Clarence James Word, having almost reached his 98th birthday. February began on a sad note for our church family, with the Home going Services for Rev. Word, who served our church for forty-three years as pastor, and continued to be an active member until his death.

    Throughout the year our hearts were touched with several spirit-filled messages on special celebrations in the Church. The Men’s Day message was delivered by Rev. P. Dexter Hardy, Baptist State Convention of Michigan.   Women’s Day blessed us with words of inspiration from author and broadcaster, Cheryl Martin.

    The Easter Season commenced with a glorious Easter Cantata, “Let God Arise”, promoting Christian unity between our church and the First Baptist Church of Hampton. Under the direction of our own Mrs. Karen D. Croston, Dr. Effie T. Gardner, and Mr. Joshua Head, the joint choirs sang in performances in Hampton and Suffolk to the glory of God!

    In May, we were blessed to experience another successful Family and Friends Weekend, sphere-headed by our own Deacon Elliott C. Jones. June renewed our spirits, during our annual Summer Revival, lead by Rev. Richard Gaines, of Consolidated Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky.  The joint Youth Music Ministries of East End & Bethlehem Baptist Church of Hickory, North Carolina, blessed the hearts and souls of listeners in Suffolk, Danville, and Norton, Virginia; as well as Hickory, North Carolina; and Lynch, Kentucky.

    In the June Church Conference the church gave Julia Suni Winslett a Preaching License for the Gospel Ministry. The Church also voted to plant a new church in South Africa in cooperation with Africa for Christ and the Baptist Union of Southern Africa.  Our church planter’s name is Titus Noinyanie.

   Serving as outreach ministries to the youth of the Church and community, Vacation Bible School, Summer Day Camp, and the Summer Youth Leadership Institute were enjoyed by all who attended.  The Summer also provided additional evangelistic opportunities as the Mission Team traveled to Trinidad to work with the Power and Signs Church and the Monte Grande Baptist Church..  Christian educational opportunities were available by way of the Black Church Leadership Week (Ridgecraft, NC), and the S S & BTU Congress (Farmville, VA).

    Our annual Come As You Are Sunday, was a huge success, as usual in September. We also had our first three day Youth Conference. Dr. Croston was asked to represent the Baptist General Association of Virginia at the Baptist Union Assembly of Southern Africa. He and our First Lady, Karen Croston, spent 10 days On Mission in South Africa, visiting Bloemfontein, Joberton, Klerksdorp, Teganie, Planiesburg and Johannesburg.  While there they worked with our Church Planter, Titus Noinyanie and the Teganie Baptist Church. Dr. Croston preached Pastor Noinyanie’s ordination sermon.

    Senior Adult Sunday honored our senior adults, and one retiree, Irene Newsome and Deaconess Orpah E. West was honored as  Senior of the Year. A special dinner for seniors was held for and 100 Seniors for the church and community attended. Staff Appreciation Sunday honored all those who faithful labor in our employ.

    This weekend we are celebrating 119 years as a Church and 20 years with our Pastor, Dr. Croston, who was honored at the Hilton Garden Inn on Saturday, October 20, 2007.  The morning messages are being delivered by Rev. Michael Pigg, Lithonia, Georgia; and our own son, Rev. Daniel Tucker Jr., Burkesville, Virginia.  Twenty-five year members being honored today are:  Derrick Bess, Leon Jones, Ann W. Sharpe, and Darlene C. Smith. Fifty-year members being honored are:  Elizabeth Andrews, Herbert Darden, Eddie Davis, Sr., Dr. Bernard Glover, James Lee and William Newsome, Jr. The Church Anniversary Chairperson is Curly Sellers.

Respectfully submitted by the Church History Ministry, October 21, 2007

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