About Us

Chapter one

In the year of our Lord 1915, a group of dedicated, God-fearing Christian men and women met together to discuss the organizing and building of a House of God. Realizing the spiritual and physical needs of this community, they kept in mind what Christ said in Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” These inspired charter members were:

Eli and Susie Washington

James and Rosie Debose

John and Rose Taylor

Samuel and Hattie W. Knox

Robert and Mrs. Mills

Samuel Rhodes

Ernest (Pet) Coakley

Rev. Spencer C. Heedly, the first pastor, and

Jefferson Monroe, the contractor/builder.

Their hearts and minds, being in one accord, gave birth to the idea of Progressive Baptist Church where they could worship in spirit and in truth. This location on the corner of Julia and Elvira (presently South

10th) Streets was reverently dedicated to God as the spot to symbolize

the rock upon which He, through them, would build His church.Mr. Monroe, along with the men mentioned above, labored hard and sometimes late into the night after working on their jobs all day. The ladies were also on hand, holding up lights and serving coffee, and thus the dream soon became a reality.

For a while, Sunday services were held at a Presbyterian church pastored by Rev. J. G. Lee. Rev. Lee and his congregation extended a cordial welcome for these services until this church was completed.

The sanctuary was furnished with folding wooden chairs. A black stove that burned either wood or stone coal was used for heating in the winter. However, the attendance was never hindered by the weather and the enthusiasm for service was the same in the evenings as in the mornings. 

A huge bell that hung in the belfry could be heard for quite some distance. The nature of its ring could be identified by the first sound. Early Sunday mornings it seemed to be calling: “Get up! Come, let us give thanks to God for waking us up this morning. This is the day that the Lord has made.” Pastor Heedly worked tirelessly, and through his preaching and teaching programs our people were given a place to worship the Lord, fellowship with other believers and learn the blessings of Christian service. He, along with other outstanding members, witnessed this Church making tremendous progress as its departments were organized. Pastor Heedly also stressed the lifting up of Christ Jesus whenever a soul joined ranks with the saved, and Pastor would be heard singing: “Oh, I found my lost sheep!” Also, our Church was always blessed with God-fearing men to directly assist the pastor. Rev. Dave Grisby was a qualified, educated, and Spirit-filled minister and teacher who served in this capacity. Preachers Josh Bremmer and Charlie Jones were also ready and able.There is a record dated January 9, 1916 of the first cornerstone with dedicated men as Deacons and Trustee Board members:

Brothers John Taylor

James Debose

Joe Brown

R. Anderson

Ernest Coakley

Samuel Knox

Robert Mills

R. Gordon

D. Burris

Jefferson Waller

Eli Washington, clerk

Rev. Spencer C. Heedly, pastor.

On the Deaconess Board were devoted members:

Sisters Delia Woods

Ella Jackson

Carrie Collins

Rose Debose

Alice Lee

Susie Washington

Ardelia Harris, and

Ophelia Harrell, a Spirit-filled worker who was given the honored name:

Mother of the Church. Their lives were given new radiance, new purpose and new hope. Soon other dedicated women were placed on the Deaconess Board:

Sisters Annie Booker

Isabelle Alexander

Mary Douglas

Clara Harrell

Mary D. JoyceIdell Quiett

Amanda Thomas

Sarah Williams

and her daughter Nettie Hollins.

These women expressed themselves in sacrificial giving and untiring service. They found spiritual pleasure in preparing food for Saturday suppers that sold for fifty cents per plate. Young people could be seen delivering the plates in the neighborhood. This is one of many projects where funds were raised in the interest of this Church. We do not have specific dates or financial records on hand, but the fact remains that this beautiful edifice is still standing and still progressing.

Prayer meetings were well attended. Brother Joseph Grant, a strong and Spirit-filled Christian man, found a special joy in this service, saying: 

“Morning, evening and noon will I pray and cry aloud: ‘I love the Lord! He heard my cries.’” Brothers Eli Washington and Link Waller would assist Brother Grant in the ringing of the bell for church services, or in tolling the bell to announce that a member had been called to rest. After sixteen fruitful years, the time came in 1932 when that bell was tolled to announce that God had called Pastor Heedly home to rest. He was survived by his wife Daisy and a son, James.

Chapter Two

“…and I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed

you with knowledge and understanding.”

-Jeremiah 3:15

Rev. Matthew W. Rivers accepted the call to be shepherd to this flock, and in 1932 became Progressive Baptist Church’s second pastor. An ordained preacher, Rev. Sam Greenup, served as his assistant.People would come from all around to hear the Gospel preached. The congregation took on new life as Progressive grew and grew. When the church was remodeled under his administration, a new determination was gained from the pulpit to the doors. Rev. Rivers held the spiritual, along with the financial, aspects of his leadership as high priorities and soon completed the task of laying the church’s second cornerstone. That date, January 9, 1942, became another big day recorded in Progressive’s history. Rev. Rivers served as pastor for eleven fruitful years. God called him home in 1943. He was married and had no children.

Chapter Three

The Lord led Rev. Robert Douglas Thomas to Baton Rouge from Port Gibson, MS, and on December 12, 1943 he became the third pastor of Progressive Baptist Church. As he allowed the Lord to use him mightily, Rev. Thomas set dedicated men and women to teaching and directing the youth to live for Jesus through the Cherubim, Children, and Youth choirs, the Sunday School, BTU, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Youth-in-Action and Youth Encampment activities. They were taught all about mission ministry through the Girls Red Circle. There were several pulpit assistants, including: Rev. Alex Rollins, Rev. Willie H. Miller, Rev. Victor Washington, Rev. Walker A. Thomas, Sr., Preacher Alfred Ward, Sr., Preacher James Franklin and Rev. Lenard G. McCray. Aided by God-fearing men such as these, Rev. Thomas worked as pastor for forty-five years. God called him home from labor to rest on November 9, 1988. He was preceded in death by his first wife of fifty years, Mrs. Cora Pearl Weddington Thomas. He was survived by his second wife, Cynthia, and by his daughter, our own Dr. Barbara Parker.

Chapter Four

Hailing from Crowley, LA, Rev. Joseph James Mitchell became the fourth pastor of Progressive on April 19, 1989. His pulpit assistants included Rev. Lenard G. McCray, Rev. Hillary Hayes, Rev. Roy Lindsey, Rev. Everett G. Parker, and Rev. Green. During his preaching and teaching ministry, Rev. Mitchell stressed regular attendance in Sunday School, Worship Service and Bible Study. A Children’s Church was started for ages 4 through 12 during the Morning Worship. Evangelistic teams canvassed the neighborhood. Men and women witnessed in homes, on the street and in businesses on Saturdays. Follow-ups were also done by these evangelists, Additional property on the northeast corner of South 10th and Julia Streets was donated to the church, and the church purchased the lot next to this property. To provide needed transportation for members wanting to attend services and other church functions, a church van was purchased. Midday Bible Study was held on Wednesdays for those who could not attend the evening study. Above all, many souls were saved. Rev. Mitchell fulfilled his duties as pastor for eleven fruitful years. He is married to Jane White Mitchell, and is the father of five children.

Chapter Five

On the second Sunday in September or 1999, Pastor J. J. Mitchell announced his resignation, which left the Progressive flock without a shepherd. God always has a ram in the bush, however. So the Trustee Ministry asked Rev. Everett G. Parker, Sr. to become our interim pastor. During his tenure, Rev. Parker served as Interim Pastor, as well as Church Organist. He inspired us all with many challenging sermons, and gave us encouragement to keep trusting in the Savior and remain prayerful until God sends us a Spirit-anointed leader. Rev. Parker served faithfully from September of 1999 until June of 2000.

Chapter Six

On the second Sunday in June of 2000, a new chapter unfolded in the life of Progressive. Jehovah Jireh, our God who provides, sent Rev. Melvin Ray Rushing, Jr. to oversee His flock. Pastor Rushing called for a renewed commitment to discipleship, fellowship and evangelism. In keeping with this, our church adopted a new vision and mission statement. A Men’s Ministry was organized, and took on the ongoing task of refurbishing the parsonage so that it may be used as a center for Outreach Ministry. Also, we enjoyed the comfort of a newly remodeled Church Sanctuary while under Rev. Rushing’s administration. The Circle of the Chosen Youth Ministry was reorganized to better serve the needs of our children and youth. The youth Ministry leaders attended workshops and classes in the district, state and national Congresses of Christian Education. Friday Night Live, a wonderful celebration of the Savior from a younger point of view, is one of the productions of our Youth Ministry. Pastor Rushing transitioned from labor to reward on Sunday,September 5, 2021. He left to cherish his memory, loving wife of 46 years Carolyn; beloved children, Kevin Gerard (Svette), KeithCharles, and Kendra Marie Rushing; grandchildren Jordyn Taylor and Eli Rushing; and brother Samuel Charles (Clementine) Rushing.

Chapter Seven

On Sunday, September 12, 2021, devoted friend of Pastor Rushing and minister Reverend Kendall Fieling stepped in to serve the flock of Progressive Baptist Church until September 18, 2022 without interim appointment until God sent us a Spirit-anointed leader. Reverend Fieling’s devotion to Progressive was received with open arms and we are forever grateful as a ministry to his dedication and devotion to our service.

Chapter Eight

Now, on Monday, September 19, 2022, another chapter has opened for Progressive as we welcomed our sixth pastor, Elder DeAndre M. White, Sr., of Cleveland, Ohio, who was installed as Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church on Sunday, January 15, 2023. Pastor White began his walk with Christ under the leadership of the late Reverend P.R. Dortch at New Bethlehem Baptist Church, after which, Dr. M. A. Thompson became pastor. He has been preaching and teaching God’s holy and unadulterated word since 1994 and knows that there is always room to learn more about God and His word. Pastor White has a love for music and singing and is an eager man on fire for the Lord. He is a well-rounded individual who loves to serve God.

Pastor White loves spending time with his wife and children, studying his word and most of all, he loves the Lord. The remodeling and improving of the rest of this house of worship is still a work in progress, even as our esteemed pastor continues tolead us to “— press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Since September of 2022, we have seen multiple televisions installed, program streaming software, and videography equipment to grace our sanctuary. All this is a part of our New Media Ministry that is tasked with providing live streaming to members who are unable to attend in service as well as the highlights we have enjoyed on the screens today. We also have a New Sound System,  renovated ADA accessible restrooms, Purchased a new stove and upgraded fire suppression system, Implimention of Impact Ministry , HBO Ministry, And Church Security Ministry. Also whiel providing electronic giving options I.e Cash App, Paypal, Venmo & Zelle. Pastor White has been very dedicated in making sure PBC’s foot print reaches the world, by creating the Progressivebaptistchurchbr.com web site, Along with Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok pages.

Pastor White sought GOD for men to serve and lead as Deacons. The lord directed him to appoint Deacon Gearld Brady Sr.(Chairman), Deacon Jalyen Hunter, Deacon Joshua Franklin, Deacon James Ayo Jr. & Deacon Gabriel Brady, who is the yongest ordained deacon in the history of PBC. Pastor White has 

All in all, this has been an exciting beginning. It has been 110 years so far, and we are not tired yet! We eagerly look to the future for what God will do to us and through us for His glory, and for the uplifting of His kingdom. And we certainly invite you to come and go with us as Pastor White leads us, and God leads him, all the way from earth to Heaven!