History

Church History


“Upon this rock I shall build my foundation”…and on the last Sunday in July of 1983, a group of Baptist believers met at the Northeast Creative Center, 1511 N 13th Street, Kansas City, KS. A meeting was called to order and carried out by Rev. Leroy Holmes with Sis. Virginia Hollinshed as acting secretary. It was decided at that meeting that a church would become organized. Later, there were three names submitted. They were United Missionary, Pleasant Pasture and Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.
On August 13th, 1983 at 6:40pm the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church was created. The organizational service was held at Fellowship Baptist Church, 1213 N 62nd Street, Kansas City, KS, Rev. Robert Moore, Host Pastor. During that organizational service there were five people baptized.
Rev. Leroy Holmes, Pastor, made appointments to various offices. Acting Deacons; Abraham Belcher, Chairman; Thomas Bush, Albert Hollinshed and Albert Weatherspoon, Five Trustee’s: Raymond Powers, Chairman; Treasurer, Osie Belcher, Secretary; Virginia Hollinshed, Membership Clerk; Willie Lyles, W.M.U. President Vera Evans, Usher President; Lorene Mitchell, Financial Secretary; Ruth Burks. Three Acting Deaconess; Hedy Weatherspoon, Osie Belcher, and Essie Bush. Two Mothers, Gordia Carr, Aldonia Gaines and later Linnie Black was added. The Associate Ministers; Rev. Robert Lee Brown and Rev. John Brantley. First Choir Director, Bonita Bassett, First Choir President Lendel Brown. The first Sunday Superintendent was Sister Marie Holmes.
Later the choir began meeting in the home of Donna Mason, 1725 Waverly, Kansas City, KS. Sis Mason was the first pianist. The first choir rehearsal was held in the home of Bro & Sis Thomas C. Bush, Jr.
Weekly Sunday services were held at the Northeast Creative Center. As in the early church of the Bible we went from house to house praying, singing and studying the Word of God. The first prayer service as held in the home of Bro and Sis Thomas C. Bush, Jr., 2845 N. 38th Street, Kansas City, KS. Our weekly church meeting was held in the home of Bro and Sis Willie Burks, Bro. And Sis. Abraham Belcher, Sis. Ceola Candler & Sis. Johnnie Johnson.
In November of 1983, Sis. Laura Williams became our pianist. August 28th, 1983, a meeting called by Pastor Holmes and at this time we began our quest for a building. Pastor Holmes appointed a committee to check building sites. Our first site was located at 42nd and Walker, Kansas City, KS. Sites were also considered at these locations: 17th and Yecker, 18th and Tauromee and the 1600 block of 46th Street.
Within a year, the Lord blessed us with the first van received from the Coke-Cola Bottling Company. On August 28th, 1984, Galilee was blessed with their first church home located at 111 S. 72nd Street, Kansas City, KS 66111. Dedication service was held on September 2, 1984. Prayer was offered by C.L. Bachus, Pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The message was brought by Rev. Robert L. Baynham, Pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church. Since organization, Galilee has had ninety-four members come by Christian experience, twenty-four by letter and twenty candidate for Baptism. On July 26th, 1987, the Youth Choir had their first musical. Sis Katrina Minor was the pianist.
Rev. Elvin Crosby, was called to the ministry and served as one of our Associate Ministers along with Rev. John Brantley, Rev. Calvin Lewis and Rev. Harold Wilkerson III. During the year of 1990, with 38 members (Faith Builders) the note on the church as retired God blessed us with the Headstart Program during the year of 1991.
During that year Sis. Rosemary Hicks-Sanders was the pianist for a short period of time. Also joining our Music Department was Sis. Beverly Bizer. In March 1991, three Deacons were ordained. Bro. Curtis Beed, Bro. Reginald Walton and Bro Henry Talley, Sr.
During the years 1996 and 1997, Sis. Hazel Ford became the pianist. Also joining the Music Department were assistant pianist Sis. Clair Billberry, Youth Choir Directors, Sis. LaDena Brown and Sis. Alicia Brown and Youth Director, Sis. Diane Brown. On August 10, 1997, Dedication Services for the cornerstone laying was held.
On March 14, 1998, a three Deacon ordination was held: Bro. Charles Jolly, Bro. Harvie Dew, Sr., and Bro. Terrill Thomas.
During 1999, so far we have had seven people to come as candidates for baptism. Also, we are in the process of adding a new addition, with a baptismal pool.
On June 20th, 2000, construction had begun on the new sanctuary, baptismal pool and a second men and women restroom. We baptized five new members on July 11th 2000.
On January of 2001, the Mother and Deaconess Boards, with Sis Vera Evans as president purchased lighting for the preacher’s podium, a scarf for the communion table and for the pulpit a Bible and stand, and two candle holders. There were four candidates for baptism and four by Christian experience. On February 18th, 2001, Galilee held a Dedication Ser vice for our new baptismal pool and new sanctuary furniture. Our guest ministers were Rev. R.L. Baynham, Pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church and Rev. Lemuel E. Wynn of First Baptist Church of Quindaro. We baptized on Easter Sunday, 2001. There were three members added to the church roll. Also, Sis. Alicia Brown became the church pianist.
During early 2002, it was placed on Sis. Cinderella Quinn’s heart was to start a Mission Choir. She served as President and was a great supporter. Later that year Sis. Vera Evans, spearheaded the purchase of robes for the mass choir, and pulpit robes for Rev. John Brantley and Rev. Leroy Holmes. Also, dedication services were held for the new robes.
In 2002, a new electric piano was purchased by the church. There were six candidates for baptism, six that came by Christian experience in 2002. Also in 2002, spared by the pastor’s wife, Sis. Rosetta Holmes began the Bus Ministry. In 2003, the Nutrition Program, a youth breakfast program which takes place Sunday morning prior to worship services, was developed by the Mission Department.
In the year of 2004 six members came for baptism five by Christian experience. Also in 2004 we looked into the expansion of the kitchen and fellowship hall. A list of names, along with their pledges were, recorded. Pledges donate monthly.
In 2005 Associate Minister, Rev. Albert Walker along with his family became a part of the Galilee Missionary Church family. Later that year another Associate Minister, Rev. Kenneth Griffin came by Christian experience.
In addition to our joining Associate Ministers, three additional members joined on Christian Experience. Thus currently totaling 9 (nine) members coming by Christian Experience for the year of 2005!
In 2006 the Lord blessed us with the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church Male Chorus under the direct leadership of Rev. Kenneth Griffin, President. Additionally, 4 members came by Christian Experience.
In 2007, 3 (three) came by Baptist and 5 (five) by Christian experience. In March of 2008, was our first Sunday School Awareness Program, under the direction of our own Rev. Albert Walker. Here we practiced the importance of timeliness and study. God truly blessed and is continuing to move throughout the Sunday School. Also in the year of 2008 the Mission Department put on our first “Annual Hat Day” program under the direction of Sis Wanda Newton. Also in the year of 2008 our Young Matron’s Circle was formed once again. The sponsor was Sis. Vera Evans and President Sis. Tracy Thomas.
In 2008, 2 (two) deacons were added to the roll, Bro. Virgil Thomas and Bro. Kenneth Washington, Sr. Also, two deaconesses were added, Sis. Tracy Thomas and Sis. La Dena Washington. 4 (four) members came by Christian experience for the year. A new cordless microphone was purchased for the choir.