Who Are We? MBC!

MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY

The Church: Mission Minded and Ministries Motivated

[Matthew 28: 19-20]
1909 – 1913

The Macedonia Baptist Mission Society was formed in 1909 on Natter Lane in downtown
New York City under the leadership of its first Pastor, Reverend Allen.
In 1913, the Macedonia Baptist Mission Society was officially set aside as the bride of Christ
and has since then been called the Macedonia Baptist Church, then located at 208 West 28th
Street, with the Reverend Harper as the second Pastor.
1913 – 1934

Within this same year, Reverend Harris became the church’s third Pastor and served for five
years, until 1918. Reverend Berley Bonaparte was Reverend Harris’ successor and diligently
served as Macedonia’s fourth Pastor, for a total of fourteen years, from 1918–1932. During
Reverend Bonaparte’s tenure, the church was relocated from midtown Manhattan to a
converted private house at 199 Edgecombe Avenue in Harlem. While Macedonia continued
to flourish, Reverend Bonaparte took gravely ill and eventually resigned his position.
In 1933, Reverend John Gardner was selected as Macedonia’s fifth Pastor. Unfortunately, he
too became ill in February of 1934. Prior to Reverend Gardner’s hospitalization, he requested
the Reverend Alonzo L. Hughes to assist the deacons and congregation with their worship
services. Reverend Hughes consented, but only after insisting that this request be expressed
to the deacons and members and served as Macedonia’s “Supply Minister” until and beyond
the death of Reverend Gardner in 1934.

1934 – 1956

As God would have it, on April 17th, 1935, a church meeting was held with the distinct
purpose of selecting Macedonia’s sixth Pastor. The vast majority agreed to bestow this title
upon Reverend Hughes. Church records indicate that during this time the membership totaled
approximately seventy-five persons, with the male population contributing on average $2.00
per month and the female population, $1.50 per month, and the youth, only what their parents
could afford. Mindful of these times, (during and post World War II), the church’s treasury
dwindled significantly and consequently, could not afford to pay the Pastor’s salary. The
Depression years were indeed evident! Instead, what the church could afford was to collect a
free will offering on the third Sunday of each month and present it to their newly elected
Pastor. Thankfully, Reverend Hughes was employed here in the city, where he was able to

work until April 1936. It would be five years before Macedonia could pay her Pastor a salary,
thus enabling him to dedicate more time to the church and its community.
During his tenure, Reverend Hughes led the congregation to higher heights. He, along with
other saints of old, are responsible for the creation of several ministries—the Senior Choir,
Gospel Chorus and Bible Class—to name just a few. In 1942, the membership purchased and
renovated property at 306 West 141st Street and made this their newest place of worship, at a
total cost of $25,000.00. Easter Sunday morning, April 1st 1945, marked the day that they
marched into their new “home”. While here, other mortgages were secured but all were paid
off by the year 1952.
It is also noted that during his pastorate, Reverend A. L. Hughes utilized several young
persons in key positions. Names such as Robert Edward Mangrum—Church Sunday School
Secretary; Ethel Miller (Bradley)—Young Peoples Choir; and Joseph B. Edwards—Church
Clerk are forever etched into the MBC archives.

1956 - 1972

In 1956 the City of New York condemned the area wherein Macedonia was located for the
purpose of constructing a school. The church then relocated to a storefront at 2451 Eighth
Avenue and 132nd Street. Here, she settled for little more than a year and a half. Again, the
membership suffered great losses – both physically and financially, but with the grace of God,
never spiritually.
Pastor Hughes’ determination to have a house of worship built from the ground up prevailed.
Within eighteen months, the congregation rallied and was able to purchase land at 452-54
West 147th Street, between Convent and Amsterdam Avenues. It was here that land was
excavated, and a house of worship was literally (and spiritually) built upon a rock. May 31,
1959, marks the day that the M.B.C. congregation entered into their new edifice, with Pastor
Hughes leading the way and delivering a sermon entitled, “Hold the Hill”. A few months
later, on September 13th, this building was officially dedicated. It is noted that this same
building continues to be inhabited by the parishioners of today, some forty-four years later.

1972 - 1979

Reverend Hughes continued his pastorate as the Holy Spirit gave him guidance and in 1973
the mortgage for this newly acquired property was burned. Reverend Hughes retired in 1975,
having served as the sixth Pastor of the Macedonia Baptist Church for forty-one years. He,
along with his bride, First Lady, Golena Hughes relocated to his native home of Elizabeth
City, North Carolina. Together, they resided here until the Lord saw fit to call him from labor
to reward in November 1984.
Reverend Berkley Medley succeeded as the seventh Pastor of Macedonia and during his
leadership from 1975 to 1979, the membership increased, and new deacons were installed.

1979 – 2020

In June 1979, Macedonia called on yet another shepherd and received a favorable reply in the
person of Reverend Isaac Bernard Graham, who, at that time, was an Associate Minister of
the Holy Trinity Baptist Church in Amityville, New York. Reverend Graham was officially
installed as the eighth Pastor of the same year and served Macedonia until his death in 2020.
Upon the foundation laid by the seven previous Pastors and a myriad of saints, past and
present, Reverend Graham is attributed with moving Macedonia into the twenty-first century.
As the eighth Pastor, he continues to hold the second longest tenure, as he was the shepherd of
this flock for almost 41 years. Numerous accomplishments as a church family are accredited
to Pastor Graham, including a facelift of the sanctuary; renovation of the A.L. Hughes
Fellowship Hall; purchase of church vans; the implementation of various new ministries;
installation of Church Mothers; and the ordinations of Deacons, Deaconesses and Ministers.
Also, under his leadership, the membership has significantly increased. Reverend Graham
was also the author of several reference books, and was a highly sought-after seminarian and
revivalist, an officer of the Empire Missionary Baptist Convention and served faithfully as the
Moderator of the United Missionary Baptist Association.
2020 – 2022

As the world faced a challenge few could have foreseen, Macedonia was called to trust in
God’s provision during the 2019 Coronavirus pandemic. As we watched this virus take
countless lives, we never imagined it would claim our beloved pastor.
Amid mourning the loss of our pastor, family, and friends, we turned to God for strength,
seeking His guidance to keep the church united while the doors of our physical sanctuary were
closed. Through His grace, we established a “Zoom Ministry” that allowed us to worship
together in spirit, even from a distance. Choirs lifted their voices in praise, preachers
proclaimed the Gospel, and teachers continued to share the Word—all virtually—until the
Lord opened our doors once again in July 2022.

2022 – Present

From 2022 to the present, our discipleship has been unwavering. Though without a pastor,
God sustained us by providing six ordained preachers who faithfully delivered the Word and
conducted the Lord’s Supper. Alongside them, two additional ministers dedicated themselves
to teaching and preaching, ensuring the pulpit remained filled with God’s Message.
Despite the challenges of maintaining the church building after nearly two years of closure,
the Diaconate and Trustee ministries faithfully restored and preserved it. Although our
numbers decreased, each ministry continued to serve in their respective places.

Today, by God’s abundant grace, Macedonia is thriving. The preaching and teaching of God’s
Word continue to flourish, with active youth and senior ministries, several community
outreach projects, and many other ministries operating in the name of the Lord. We remain in
prayer and fasting, faithfully awaiting the Lord’s provision of a new pastor to shepherd us
forward.

In reflection, the progress and legacy of Macedonia Baptist Church over the past 112 years
has been truly remarkable and full of God’s blessings. We are deeply grateful for how far the
Lord has brought us, and we remain committed to the journey ahead. However, we are keenly
aware that much work remains—in both our church and the wider community!
Our prayer is “Lord God Almighty keep us ever humble. Amen.”