About Us

Open Door Baptist Church was founded and organized by our late Pastor, Reverend Benjamin F. Johnson in 1949. The first service was held in the back room on the second floor of the Pastor’s home, 2508 West Diamond Street, with only a handful of members; the Pastor’s wife the late Mother Eva Johnson (who stood by the Pastors side so faithfully working diligently, never complaining, to help make his calling to Pastor this church and preach the word of God a reality) and children, the Pastor’s Mother, the late Mrs. Maggie Johnson, the late Deacon Matthew Shell, and his wife the late Mrs. Willie Mae Shell and children and the late Mother Richardson.
    
   Open Door Baptist Church moved to the home of Deacon & Mrs. Shell, 2347 West Jefferson Street in 1950. Because of the increase in membership, the Pastor purchase the building at 1808 N. 12th Street, and later in 1950, the Church body moved there, where they remained for 9 years.   The Church membership continued to grow abundantly. With the idea to purchase a larger building, the Pastor started the building fund. We thank the Lord for the prayers and faith of all the early members. Thanks be to God that a larger building became a reality. The Open Door Baptist Church membership moved into its present building, 1632-34 North 26th Street on the third Sunday of October 1959.   We thank God for all those who prayed and sacrificed through the years. Without God and prayer all this would not have been possible. Our Founder, Pastor B. F. Johnson passed on to glory November 8, 1988.

    In 1995 Reverend R. Jeremiah Norris was installed as Pastor. He was a wonderful man of God, who loved the Lord, and was always excited about what the Lord had done for him, and what the Lord was doing in Open Door Baptist Church. Pastor Norris served as Pastor of the Open Door Baptist Church until he was called home to glory in September of 2020.

    In 2021 Rev. Marcella Travagline Abrams, the granddaughter of the Founders, was elected by the official board to lead as Interim Pastor. During her tenure she led the Pastoral search committee, initiated various programs, including Back 2 School Sunday and Miracle on 26th Street. She was able to begin a virtual bible study led by church Deacons along with Sunday services. During this time former members returned and joined in the rebuild. We were able to replace our HVAC system, repair our roof, paint inside and outside along with other repairs and signature programs. We are thankful for God's guidance and grace during this time.

    In January of 2024, Reverend John Cureton came to preach at Open Door for the first time. He was highly recommended by his pastor, Reverend Jonathan Ford of Taylor Tabernacle. He was dynamic in his delivery of the message, and it was evident that God was the center of his life. Over the months that followed, we asked him to return many times. In January 2025 after a congregational meeting, the officers of the church asked Rev. John if he would consider becoming our Pastor-Elect. After taking the offer to the Lord in prayer, and to his family, he affirmed that “yes”, this is where the Lord wants him to be.

    He hit the ground running. Meeting and greeting each member after service. Visiting and calling the sick and shut-in members. Taking the lead in our Wednesday night bible study. Helping to redevelop our online presence with a new interactive website. Sidewalk summer outreach prayer services, and so much more.

  
We thank the Lord for sending Pastor John our way, and for the great leadership our new Under Sheperd provides. We look forward to what the Lord has in store for Open Door Baptist Church, and how we may continue to lift the name of Jesus and serve our community. 

 

For a copy of the Installation program, CLICK HERE