Our Church History
The Strangers Rest Baptist Church was organized on July 12, 1925, by a group of 5 dedicated Christians coming from the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The building and property were purchased on a Promissory Note for $15,000. Before long they were 160 members strong. To purchase a church for $15,000 in 1925 wasn’t easy – especially in a “colored community”. The Edna Building & Loan Co. in Topeka promised to loan us $10,000 if we could raise $5,000. We had to have $3,600 before we could get the $10,000 loan. Ten members agreed to give their homes to the church as collateral for the $3,600 needed. In 1929 the Great Depression drove most of our members into unemployment and in 1941, the Edna Building and Loan began foreclosure proceedings on the $12,000 still owed. But while the Edna Building & Loan Co was in the process of foreclosing on our loan for non-payment, the Federal Government foreclosed on the assets of Edna Building & Loan.
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Under the leadership of a business minded member, a plan was made, and each member was asked to pay $5 per month for 10 months. Within 10 months over $11,000 was raised and on June 18th , 1944, with over 600 members, Strangers Rest burned the mortgage, and the church was free and clear of all debts. Our history is filled with acts of faith like this. Stalwart commitment and sacrifice by Christian men and women who trusted in God; and God rewarded their faith with his continued presence.
“One Lord, One Faith, One Baptismal.” The Hall of Faithful Strangers Rest organizers and contributors is long and includes 5 Pastors: Rev. Moses Williams, Jr.; Dr. C. A. Washington; Dr. C. A. Pugh; Rev. Jewell D. Jones; and Rev. Jimmie L. Banks. Under Pastoral leadership in the last fifty years, the church has made significant gains in building up the basic ministries of education, evangelism, strengthening family relationships by expanding its capacity to love and share through community outreach. Dr. Pugh was a consummate preacher, teacher, well-known and respected at all levels of connectional work throughout the nation. Some of the accomplishments under his leadership were: † Purchase of new Wurlitzer organ. † Financial capability for the church to meet all outstanding obligations, and save money for future renovations. † Yearly trips of fellowship with churches in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Oklahoma † Annual church picnics at Swope Park (being among the first of our color to swim in the pool there). † Each year Dr. and Mrs. Pugh would take two young people (over age 16) to the National Congress of Christian Education. (They loved children even though they had none of their own). † Presenting in concert each year a young person graduating from high school with aspirations of going to college. The money raised was used to help pay tuition, and if possible, books. His sudden death on Sunday, June 10, 1979, left a void in our hearts and in our congregation. His motto “Each for All, All for Each” helped us get through those dark days.
On October 26, 1980, Rev. Jewell D. Jones accepted the pastorate and delivered his first sermon on Sunday, December 7, 1980. During his tenure, the church became more community active. Rev. Jones held leadership positions in the Baptist Minister's Union and in the District Association. Under his leadership, we purchased a new organ, had a parking lot constructed, purchased a church van, and formed a community youth Drill Team. Rev. Jones resigned in December 1992, to become the pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio.
In November 1993, the church called its 5th Pastor, Rev. Jimmie L. Banks to serve as pastor. He preached his first sermon on January 2, 1994. Under his leadership, the church's focus was on building the basic ministries and expanding our capacity to love and share with each other. Rev. Banks and Mrs. Banks worked as a team to strengthen family relationships which are the core units of the church. The church continued to expand its ministerial reach through Christian education, evangelism, heightened stewardship, connectional leadership, and congregational nurturing and fellowship. We completed an extensive 1.2-million-dollar expansion which has enhanced and enlarged our ability and responsibility to win and train souls for Christian discipleship. Further accomplishments during his tenure of leadership include: † Hosting a noon-day lunch for senior citizens under the sponsorship of the Wyandotte Area Agency on Aging. † Volunteers in the Learn to Read Program at Banneker Elementary School. † Purchase of Community Outreach building and adjacent properties. † Construction of a church parking lot. † Establishment of a Grief Management Ministry providing counseling and educational support for grief-stricken members and local citizens. † Weekly prayer, Bible study and ”livestreaming” of Sunday Worship service on You-tube and Facebook. † Community support to feed the homeless at Crosslines and Willa Gill Center. † First in the area to host a community zoom COVID forum with medical experts from Kansas University Medical Center and community leaders. † Recording of 3 Gospel CD’s. † Connectional involvements included: serving as President of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Kansas, Vice Moderator, Kaw, Valley District Association, President of the Baptist Ministers Union of Kansas City, Kansas, and Assistant Registrar of the National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. Rev. Banks, retired on December 31, 2024, ending 30 years of devoted service to this church and the community. His moto “The Best Is YetTo Come” reminds us that we have a marvelous history, and even brighter future. We believe that God will continue to bless and keep us. We must work to uphold the great legacy that our forebears established so that our names might also be added to the Strangers Rest Hall of Faith.
Our current pastor, Rev. Julian R. Brown accepted the Pastorate on July 6, 2025. He comes with enthusiasm, and a genuine love for God, this church, and the community.
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