Sharon Baptist Church History

The history of the Sharon Baptist Church began over 70 years ago on June 24, 1934, when Mrs. Roberta Cassean and three children met with Mrs. Mary Matthews for a 9:30 a.m. Sunday School meeting at the Scottish Rite Cathedral at Fitzwater & Mole Streets in South Philadelphia. Later that morning at 10:45 a.m., a group of people met for a spiritual worship service under the leadership of the late Rev. Charles H. Bernard. Pastor Bernard asked Mrs. Louise Sharp to play the piano. He also called a meeting and asked the assembly if they would come forth to organize the church.

"... let us arise and build.
So they put their hands to the good work."
Neh. 2:18

This group of individuals responded by meeting in the home of Mrs. Betty Dandridge at 1921 Carpenter Street. At this meeting they selected the name of Sharon Baptist Church. One of the founding members of this church is Mrs. Sarah Vaughan, who is the only founding member living today.

Five candidates came forward to be baptized. They were baptized at the First Baptist Church, located at 16th & Christian Streets. During this early period, Sharon Baptist Church borrowed space from First Baptist, where the late Rev. Harrod was the pastor. A council of churches was called and they recognized Sharon Baptist Church and set it apart as a bona fide local assembly. The founder, Rev. Bernard, was installed as the first Pastor of Sharon Baptist Church. The church auxiliary was organized, and in 1935, a storefront building at 1017 South 19th Street was used to hold worship services. This storefront was owned by a woman known as Mother Neal.

In 1937, Sharon Baptist purchased their first church home at 1728-30 Christian Street. Seven years later, on July 15, 1944, Rev. Bernard was called from labor to reward. Rev. W .H. Brooks was then called to pastor, and after only three months of service, the Lord chose to take him home also. Rev. Ira D. Oliver pastored the church from November 1944 until November 1946. He was succeeded by Rev. Phillip M. King, a licensed minister at Sharon, who served as the acting pastor until October 1947, when he was installed as pastor. Under Rev. King's pastorate, which spanned 34 years, the mortgage was burned and all debts were paid. In 1958, Pastor King led Sharon Baptist into its present location - 59th & Catherine Streets. The mortgage on the building was $65,000.00 and was paid off in 8 years. The church also purchased the building adjacent to the church at 5843 Catherine, which is now known as the Hospitality Center.

A new era began at the Sharon Baptist Church when in January 1982, Keith Wayne Reed, Sr. was recommended to serve as Interim Pastor. From the time he took the Shepherd's staff until now, he has had one directive - "Lead God's people with God's Word!" Pastor Reed has placed an emphasis on building men to be the husbands, fathers and leaders in their communities and women to be wives, mothers and leaders in their own rite. Pastor Reed used the "Word of God" to bring out the latent potential that lies inside every man and woman. Pastor Reed believes in education as well as celebration; therefore, he has instructed this church within the confines of the Biblical mandate for the church universal. That mandate is worship, evangelism, and discipleship. By emphasizing the true purpose of the church, men, women, boys, and girls, have truly been informed and transformed to carry out the work of the ministry.

Under Bishop Reed's leadership Sharon Baptist Church has experienced phenomenal growth in its membership. It increased from 280 members in 1982 to over 6,000 members today and growing. Given the rapid and consistent growth, Sharon was faced with the exciting challenge of building a new sanctuary in 1999. In September 1999, we entered the doors of new church home and sighed, "truly this is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our sight."

Today, Sharon worships in the City Line Avenue section of Philadelphia and continues to grow by leaps and bounds. As we continue to grow and expand our campus we remember the vision of those that came before us like Pastor Charles Bernard, Mary Matthews, Louise Sharp, and Roberta Cassean, who in 1934 allowed the Spirit of God to stretch them. We remember Rev. Brooks and Oliver whose tenures were short but necessary. We remember the innovative leadership of Rev. Phillip King, who moved this church from its meager beginnings in South Philadelphia to West Philadelphia. We remember that the same Spirit that resided in them is the same Spirit that will depend on the carry us into the future to win souls for Christ.