Second Nazareth Baptist Church, founded in 1903, is made up of people--people who have publicly professed faith in Jesus Christ, followed Him in baptism and who have joined together in this church so our worship, witness and ministry will glorify God. She provides her members an opportunity to possess a "saving" and a "working" faith. When we grieve-we come here; when we seek understanding-we come here; when we celebrate we come here.

MYERS ERA: SEPTEMBER 1903-1933

The original name of the church was Macedonia Baptist Church and was located on Huger and Gervais Streets. While making a furniture store delivery Rev. Ralph "Rafe" Myers experienced the Lord's leading to establish a church at its present location in October 1906. This vision became a reality with thirty members worshipping in an old adandoned store on Gervais Street until Pastor and Sis. Myers acquired the current property.

Pastor Myers served from 1903 to 1933 during which he organized the Deacon Board, Jubilee Choir (the first in Columbia), Musical Choir, Usher Board, Deaconess Board, Pulpit Aid Club, Trustee Board and the Baptist Young Peoples Union. Four ministers and fifteen deacons were ordained during this time. In accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina the church was incorporated in 1910. Pastor Myers was an advocate of self-sufficiency and encouraged home ownership.

Four churches were established from Second Nazareth during Pastor Myers' era: Ebenezer Baptist Church (1910), Jehovah Baptist Church (1918), Trinity Baptist Church (1921) and Friendship Baptist Church (1930).

JONES ERA: 1933 - 1949

In 1933 Rev. A.C. Jones accepted the call as the second pastor of Second Nazareth Baptist Church and led the congregation until June 1949. Under the leadership of Pastor Jones (during the Great Depression) the debt was paid on the old church building, and the new church plant was started. The present sanctuary was constructed in 1945. Sis. Annie Gunter Myers, widow of Pastor Myers, deeded property to the church in 1946 resulting in the construction of Sunday School rooms and an Educational Building on the back of the T-shaped church. It was during Pastor Jones’ tenure that training requirements were established for deacons, deaconess, trustees and missionaries. The membership was required to attend Baptist Young Peoples Union or Baptist Training Union. Fourteen deacons and three superintendents served with Pastor Jones and the Trustee Board was reorganized.

BOWMAN ERA: SEPTEMBER 1949 - 1996

In 1949 Rev. William McKinley Bowman, Sr., was called to lead the membership, a position he held until he retired in 1996. It became apparent during Pastor Bowman's leadership the church was not adequate for the needs of the congregation. After many meetings, prayers and much soul-searching Second Nazareth underwent major structural changes. The basement of the church (Bowman Auditorium) was completed; the old Sunday school building was converted into office spaces, training rooms, restrooms, choir rooms, etc. A new wing with Sunday School Rooms was added; central heating/cooling system, pews, and carpet were installed. The Baptismal Pool was moved back, tiled and heated. In 1957 the church commissioned Mr. Graham to render the murals in the sanctuary. The murals were touched-up in 2001 by Rev. R.F. Kinard, Ph.D.

It was during this time Second Nazareth began to actively address community issues. As the result of a boyhood injury for which he was not properly treated, Pastor Bowman had a strong commitment to racial equality and challenging the status quo. He instilled this commitment in the Second Nazareth family. Meetings of the local branch of the NAACP were held at the church as well as several statewide strategy meetings for civil rights. In May 1969 Second Nazareth acquired its Life Membership in the NAACP. He encouraged the church to financially support the founding of the Columbia Free Medical Clinic and the Edgewood-Read Street Cooperative Community Improvement Council, Both of these relationships continue to this day. Second Nazareth became actively involved in other religious affiliations, such as the Gethsemane Baptist Association, the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. The parsonage housed the headquarters for the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention for South Carolina. The first "Soup Kitchen" in the community, Project Angel Tree, and the adoption of several community long-term care facilities are a few of the ongoing activities initiated during the leadership of Pastor Bowman. In conjunction with efforts to revitalize the Edgewood community the church, at the urging of Pastor Bowman, purchased a liquor store and converted it into a Boy Scout hut.

Vacation Bible School, church picnics to Table Rock and Atlantic Beach and the outstanding season of the Second Nazareth Baseball Team were the highlights of the summer at Nazareth. Printed bulletins, The Nazarette (church newsletter), Women's Day, Men's Day and Youth Day originated during Pastor Bowman's pastorate. Because of his dynamic preaching, radio persona, the leadership positions he held in the community and his length of service as pastor, the Second Nazareth family began to increase dramatically. To meet the needs of the growing congregation Pastor Bowman ordained nineteen ministers and twenty-four deacons. Organizations formed during the Bowman era are: Annie Myers Missionary Circle, Jones/McClerklin Missionary Circle, Bowman/Alston Missionary Circle, Young Woman's Auxiliary, Junior Missionary Society, Brotherhood Club, Junior Deacons, Junior Brotherhood, Nurses Fellowship, Nazarene Gospel Choir, Officers Wives Auxiliary, Willing Workers Club, Progressive Club, Benevolent Club, Voices of Faith, W.M. Bowman Children's Choir, and Male Choir. Nineteen ministers were ordained under Pastor Bowman. During his forty-eight years of leadership sixty-eight trustees were elected. Upon his retirement in 1996, he was honored as Pastor Emeritus until his passing in 2000. From 1996 until July 4, 1999 Second Nazareth Baptist Church was without a pastor during which Invited ministers filled the pulpit.

HILLS ERA: JULY 1999 - JULY 25, 2005

Reverend J. Walter Hills was installed as the fourth pastor of Second Nazareth Baptist Church in July 1999. Pastor Hills' tenure included a revised Member Orientation for new members, an expanded Wednesday Night Bible Study and in-service training for the Deacon Ministry and ministerial associates. The reorganization of the Male Chorus, and the establishment of New Vision Praise Choir and Praise In Motion (praise dancers) augmented the church's music ministry. The Youth Ministry held several community Youth Empowerment seminars featuring guest clinicians including Bro David Curry (Mississippi Mass Choir) and recording artist Troy Sneed. In 2001, with the encouragement of Pastor Hills, the Mission department celebrated its first Convocation in lieu of separate anniversary observances. The Benevolent, Progressive and Willing Workers Clubs celebrated a joint anniversary called a Trinity Celebration. Rev. J. Walter Hills, II, was ordained during the ministry of Pastor Hills.

Pastor Hills continued the church's commitment to community service by encouraging the establishment of the Edgewood Foundation, a 501(c)3 entity. The church also partnered with local schools as a part of Richland School District One's faith-based initiatives. During Pastor Hills' time Second Nazareth instituted a prescription assistance to the elderly, formalized its CARE Ministry, launched its website and published the monthly devotional Seasoning for the Soul. The church's logo was also commissioned during Pastor Hills' administration. The Joint Board of Officers began updating the manual on church policies and procedures. Pastor Hills' tenure ended July 25, 2005.

NOBLE ERA: SEPTEMBER 2008- PRESENT

September 7, 2008 Rev. Johnny Ray Noble, Ph.D., began his leadership of the Second Nazareth family. Focusing on teaching and preaching, Pastor Noble is expanding the evangelism outreach of the church as he leads us to be, "The Church in the Heart of the Community with the Community in its Heart.". Emphasizing biblical stewardship of our time, talent, treasure, and total being, the church is moving forward into the 21 century. Since Pastor Noble's tenure began the church has grown numerically, we have had aesthetic changes to beautify our sanctuary, audio visual upgrades, the strengthening of our ministries, a weekly radio broadcast, room set aside for nursery, creation of a young adult choir- Chosen Generation and children choir, and combination of the New Vision Praise Choir and the Musical Choir to form the Sanctuary Choir. We also have added the Hospitality Ministry to make our guests feel welcomed.

Pastor Noble instituted several events including Unity in the Community (a day for all of the church family, residents of the community, educational field, and public service could come together for a day of singing, eating, fun, and fellowship) and The Christmas Gala (a time for friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors to come together to commemorate the birth of our Savior, celebrate the miracle of Christmas, and present our youth ages 16-21 to society).

Under Pastor Noble's leadership the vision to fufill Christ's command to preach the gospel to all the world is foremost in our minds. Our church is focused on five areas of emphasis: outreach/evangelism, ministry, worship, fellowship, and discipleship. Pastor Noble has lead the church to purchase additional property to meet our ministry needs, and reorganized the Edgewood Foundation and its Board of Directors to better serve our community and families. The Edgewood Foundation also partners with other like minded private and civic groups to deliver Summer Camp, afterschool programs, and informational workshops.

In 2014 Second Nazareth entered its present sanctuary equipped with cutting edge technology and amenities to edify the body of Christ and serve humanity in greater capacities. God truly has smiled on the Second Nazareth church family.

The 2020 worldwide Pandemic forced Second Nazareth into a never imagined experience of not holding worship services or any activity in the church building. Complying with national preventive health requirements to limit personal contacts and public worship, Pastor Noble expanded technology to maintain communication and connection with the church family and the community. He added Sunday sermons to the virtual weekly Bible Study delivered every Wednesday. Through this unprecedented time , Pastor Noble led the church through a period of re-examination of personal and corporate commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

FELLOWSHIPS

Second Nazareth Baptist Church maintains its long-standing commitment to fellowship. Several ministries have extensive involvement in external organizations: The Jubilee Choir (a founding member of the City Baptist Jubilee Choir Union), the Mission Department (Gethsemane Baptist Association) and the Deacon Ministry (United Baptist Deacons of Greater Columbia). Past fellowships included Senior Ushers Ministry (founding member of the former Capital City Usher Board Union), Nurses' Fellowship (member of the Columbia Christian Health Care Auxiliary), and Brotherhood Club (Citywide Brotherhood).

AFFILIATIONS

• National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. Intl.
• Gethsemane Baptist Association
• Baptist E&M Convention of South Carolina
• Cooperative Clergy Fellowship of South Carolina