Metropolitan Baptist Church (1938), Newark, NJ

On January 20, 1938, a small group of persons met at the home of Deacon and Mrs. Fred O’Bryant at 31 Prince Street in Newark, New Jersey.  Filled with the determination to grow spiritually and a need for peaceful worship, they created what is now known as Metropolitan Baptist Church.

123 Prince Street became the first home for the new congregation.  A total of 142 persons were present for the first service and the sermon delivered by the Reverend W.A. McCloud.

During the early stages of organizing the church, the Mt. Mariah Mission was selected as the name for the group until a permanent charter was approved. An official board was set up with Deacon Fred O Bryant as chairman of the Deacon Board.  Other deacons on the original board were Jeremiah Smith, Oscar Wilson, William Sims, John Smith, Clinton Israel, James Dargon and Mannie Shipman. Cleveland O’Bryant was chairman of the first Trustee Board, which included William Harrison, Charles

Helm, Levy Standford, Samuel Smith, John Magwood, Soloman Williams and John Wynn. On May 11, 1938, at 11:00 a.m., a down payment was made toward the purchase of 32-34 Prince Street, and on June 3, 1938, 22 members of the Permanent Council of the North Jersey Baptist Associations met to rename Mt. Mariah Mission as Metropolitan Baptist Church.

SOURCE: METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH