NORTHEAST BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
The Northeast Baptist Church had a spontaneous beginning on March 17, 1958 in the home of
Rev. and Mrs. William H. Anderson. As a result of an election held in the Second Baptist Church
of Frankford, thirty-five of its members, immediately after the election the same evening voted
to organize a Baptist Church. The next day, when Reverend Anderson, who was confined to
the Episcopal Hospital, was informed of the group’s intentions, he advised them against making
a panicked decision and suggested that they give themselves a cooling off period--after which
they could return to the Second Baptist Church and support it fully. The Reverend Donis Myers,
Sr., was the first Spiritual Leader.
Several weeks later, Rev. Anderson was released from the hospital and further advised the
group against permanent organization. However, when it was noticed that outside agitators
sought to destroy this group, which in several weeks had grown to 262, and was holding
worship services in Strange’s Hall, Wakeing and Frankford Avenue, on Sunday, April 21, 1958,
Mrs. Katherine Javis made a motion that the group become a regularly organized Baptist
Church. Rev. Anderson, who made this his first visit to the church, put forth the motion which
received a volley of ‘seconds’ through. A business meeting was called for May 12, 1958 at which
time the church was organized. The Reverend Donis Myers, Sr., suggested the name for the
church and Rev. William H. Anderson was called to the pastorate. The first deacons were Saylor
Ruffin, Hollis R. McMillian, Herman Bryson, William Harris, Edward Fleming, and William
Whitfield, Jr.
The First Trustees were Rev. William H. Anderson, Willie Godwin, Osborne E. Javis, Woodrow
Nolan, Cleangus Mitchell, Chester Thomas, Elijah Williams, and Fred Ellis.
Miss Vernell E. Ward was elected Church Clerk and Hollis McMillian, Sr., Treasurer.
On June 4, 1958, the Pennsylvania Baptist Association was invited to meet in the Orthodox
Street Methodist Church (white), Orthodox and Torresdale Ave., to recognize the Northeast
Baptist Church. The meeting was presided over by the late Dr. R. L. Thomas and by the
Association Moderator, the Late Dr. E. T. Lewis who also preached the recognition sermon. Over
125 pastors were present.
From that day, the Northeast Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Anderson, went
about the business of winning souls for Christ. The church flourished during this early period.
In the Church’s 10th year, it had begun to make ‘Herculean and spectacular growth economically, physically and spiritually. A complex of buildings that are, today, valued at just under one million dollars were built. The work was done largely by the men of the church, along with the pastor.
The Northeast Baptist Church has always and still does play an important role in matters of
larger concern -- for when we were only a few months old, a ‘Life Membeship’ in the NAACP was
purchased. The church is still allied in every Baptist Movement, from the Baptist World Alliance,
down to the Pennsylvania Baptist State of the Congress of Christian Education.
After the death of our Late Pastor and Founder, Rev. William H. Anderson, Sr. on September 1,
1973, the Northeast Baptist Church had the foresight to call the Reverend Lee Mason, Jr. Rev. Mason had previously pastored the Mount Moriah Temple Baptist Church in South Philadelphia and was the founder of the New Joy Baptist Church in the same area.
In 1974, under the leadership of Pastor Mason, Northeast continued to spawn aspirants to the
ministry and the following ministers were licensed and/or ordained during his tenure Rev. Bruce
Michael Edwards, Rev. F. L. Donaldson, Rev. Louise Williams Bishop, Rev. Nathaniel Luke Mason,
Rev. Jeanette Freeman, Rev. Sarah Hyman, Rev. Delores Gardner and Rev. Jonathan A. Mason, Sr.
As God gives the increase in His due time, Northeast can humbly boast over 400 persons being
baptized during the pastorate of Rev. Mason.
A full functioning Deaconess Board was organized and The Missionary Society, whose main
interest was to spread Mission abroad and to make very tangible contributions to the Foreign
Missions Board, was re-organized.
Pastor Mason established many learning agencies of the church, which included Monday night
Doctrinal Orientation Class. He also established Joy Night which took place every Sunday at
8:00pm. This service provided many young preachers an opportunity to practice their craft.
Northeast was able to refinance our existing mortgage and then burn the mortgage during
Pastor Mason’s tenure. On November 8, 2014, Reverend Lee Mason, Jr. passed on from labor to
reward. The Northeast Baptist Church was truly blessed by his forty-one years of Christ-led
servant leadership.
On February 8, 2015, Reverend Jonathan A. Mason, Sr. was called as the Pastor-Elect. He was
officially installed on October 11, 2015. Rev. Mason came to Northeast with his father in 1974.
In 2008, he rejoined Northeast as a fulltime member and Co-Pastor.
In just a short period of time, the church has made significant progress. Rev. Mason has led the
effort to install a brand new roof, HVAC system, new floors in the sanctuary, new pulpit
furniture, complete renovation of the church offices, the fellowship hall and the kitchen.
In 2019, the church added an audio visual ministry that facilitated the airing of church services
on multiple digital platforms.
Monday Noon Day Prayer, Wednesday Hour of Power and Thursday Men’s Bible Study has been
added to the weekly schedule. The church also serves dinner to the youth every Thursday
evening. The church maintains a strong presence in the community through a vibrant food
ministry. In 2020, the church gave away over 250,000 pounds of food! The church also
provided clothing and toys for members of the community.
Since 2015, more than 200 members have joined Northeast Baptist Church.
Philly’s Favor 100.7 FM/99.5 HD3, launched on June 8, 2020. It operates on the second floor of
the church and provides a platform for the church to minister far and wide.
As a testament to the churches longstanding service to the community, in 2019 Foulkrod and
Tackawanna Street were renamed for founding Pastor Anderson and Pastor Lee Mason, Jr.
On February 16, 2023, Northeast Baptist Church completed the purchase and closing of the
property located at 4701 Tackawanna Street, formerly known as St. Thomas United Methodist
Church. In October 2025, following the successful resolution of zoning and licensing
requirements, renovation work commenced on the facility, which has since been renamed the
Gloria Redd Community Center. Plans are also underway to develop 46 affordable housing units
in the nearby Frankford community.
To God be the Glory for the things He has done!
