OUR CHURCH HISTORY

On the sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord 1890, Metropolitan Baptist Church was

organized by the Reverend W.S. Ramsey at its present location of 1633 Fifth Avenue in

Columbus, Georgia.  Over the next one hundred plus years, the church has been led by a long list

of hard working spiritual pastors, each with a clear vision of church, family and community

unity.

The structural façade and beauty of our church has evolved and gone through several changes

during its existence.  Reverend James Henry Carter was instrumental in getting the original

wooden building bricked over in 1905.  Mrs. Ada Marche, one of the church matriarchs, often

recalled how her father and other men of the church would find bricks and bring them to the

church site.  Work continued on the building and in 1909, under the guidance of Reverend James

Berry Miller, the front entrance was redesigned, the bell tower was installed, and the main

sanctuary was completed.  Disaster struck in 1920 when fire gutted a large portion of the

interior.  Shortly after the arrival of Reverend W.A. Reid in 1921, the interior of the building was

remodeled to include the beautiful stained glass windows.

Metropolitan is proud to have established one of the first Day Care Centers in the city.  Early

records indicate that in the 1930's, a recreational area behind the church became a meeting place

for Sunday school and Junior Church services.

In 1986 Reverend Alex Williams was instrumental in starting the first Martin Luther King Jr.

Memorial Service.  This service continues to be a driving force with the city of Columbus'

annual Unity Week Observance.

In the fall of 2001, substantial structural and water damage was discovered in the roof area of the

church, the damage was so severe that the congregation was forced to vacate the facility.  Under

the leadership of Reverend Joseph S. Andrews, an extensive 21 month renovation resulted in

major changes to the church.  On April 6, 2009 our church family mourned the sudden death of

Reverend Joseph S. Andrews who led the church for 20 years. 

Metropolitan Baptist Church is a church that rejoices in its illustrious past but constantly focuses

on the bright future that God has in store. Currently under the leadership of Dr. Curtis Crocker,

Jr., Senior Pastor, our church has experienced growth in all areas.  We are a growing church for

growing Christians, advancing the kingdom one soul at a time!