Mt. Eagle Baptist Church

On September 1, 1948, a group of dedicated Christians led by Joseph Kelly met at the Pilot Funeral Home located at 4824 S. State Street. A prayer band of members were formed on this date and a week later, September 8th, The Mt. Eagle Proficiency Baptist Church was born. Rev. Louis Boddie acted as Moderator, assisted by Rev. W.T. Tillman, Rev. George Washington, and Rev. C.J. Rodgers. The membership was 42 and Rev. C.J. Rodgers was the Pastor.

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On September 15, 1948, this newly organized body of Baptist believers in Christ held their service at the DuSable Center, 62 E. 49th Street; Rev. C.J. Rodgers, Pastor, Rev. W.T. Tillman, Asst. Pastor and K.D. Williams, Secretary. From this location, we moved to Beacon Casino, 49th and Wabash. Several moves were made as the membership started to grow. Our church homes have been at 43rd and Indiana over the furniture store, Greater Harvest’s old building located on 51st and State Street, and Coleman’s School, which is also known as “across the tracks.”

 

In 1952 the Church purchased our present location at 4559 S. St. Lawrence. The church continued to grow under the leadership of Rev. C.J. Rodgers.

On December 7, 1968, God called Rev. Rodgers to his heavenly home. After being without a pastor for several months, Rev. Henry Cherry of Benoit, Mississippi, was called to pastor, but due to other commitments, he was unable to serve.

 

On April 12, 1970, our many prayers asking God’s guidance were answered when Rev. Edicular Draine, one of our associated ministers, was called to pastor. For thirty years under Rev. Draine’s capable leadership, the church grew physically, financially, and spiritually.

In his pilgrimage, Rev. E. Draine’s ministry emphasized the need to know God, revitalizing the fellowship of the saints and the projection of programs involving the entire membership. Over the years, Rev. Draine’s faith and loyalty was tried and tested innumerable times. He stood the test of time, and because of his indomitable spirit, he created a legacy of commitment and dedication.

 

On August 31, 2000, God called Rev. E. Draine to his heavenly home. For almost two years, Mt. Eagle was without a pastor. Praise be to God, on Friday, May 17, 2002, Elder Osmund L. Hooks, Sr., was elected as Mt. Eagle’s new pastor. With his wife, El’Lisa, and his son Orrin, Pastor Hooks brought with him many years of experience of ministry to the Lord.

 

Pastor Hooks’ platform as a leader can best be explained and quoted by Hosea 4:6(a): “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” He has stated that his first love is to teach the Word of God to the masses. The Power of God belongs to the Church, and it is time the Church made a difference. After 20 years of dedicated service, in March of 2022, Pastor Hooks resigned as pastor.

 

On January 15, 2023, our church family was blessed to have our own associate minister, Victor S. Junious, assume the role as Interim Pastor.  Minister Victor S. Junious served as an associate minister for 10 years. He served with integrity, wisdom, and a profound spirit of humility.  He had proven to be faithful and accessible and has shown compassion for the Mt. Eagle family through his unwavering commitment to serve God’s people. 

 

On Sunday, October 1, 2023, two weeks after the church’s 75th Year Anniversary, the membership of the Mt. Eagle Baptist Church assembled and selected Minister Victor S. Junious to be its fourth pastor. We are so grateful for “Pastor J’s” inspirational, thought-provoking sermons, “straight out of the gospel.”