In April 1948, the Lord blessed Rev. Booker Tellafero Little with a vision for a church in the North Lawndale Community on Chicago's west side. Rev. Little and eight other people of faith: Carrie Clark, Bessie Gordon, Jeanette Lamar, Idell Little, Alex Mayfield, Marie Mayfield, Ora Mullins and Theodore Garrison organized the Open Door Missionary Baptist Church.
I n May 1948, the first worship service was held at the George Howland School. Weekly church services were held every Sunday thereafter until January, 1949 when circumstances made it necessary to move. Rev. Little was not deterred, he and his wife offered their home to continue the worship services. Rev. Little and the congregation knowing the Lord would provide, continued to work and pray until the Lord blessed them with a new church home. On the 4th Sunday in July, 1949, the Open Door Church membership marched into their new church home at 1539 S. Christiana.
The church progressed spiritually and bountifully, adding new members, working steadfastly and holding on to their faith. In 1952 the membership was blessed to pay off their mortgage. With the continuous blessings of new members, it soon became necessary to seek a larger place of worship.
Again, the congregation petitioned the throne of God and on Sunday, November 21, 1954 we marched into 1301 S. Sawyer Avenue and renamed the church the Greater Open Door Missionary Baptist Church.
Under the pastorate of Rev. Little, the Lord blessed us to do great things! Rev. Little's service to our congregation was insurmountable until his health began to fail in the early 1980's. Due to health concerns, Rev. Little relocated to Arizona. During his illness, the Reverend William Arthur Lamar, Associate Minister and a dedicated member of Greater Open Door for over 30 years took the reigns. Rev. Lamar stood steadfastly and preached the Gospel weekly at Greater Open Door Missionary Baptist Church year after year during Rev. Little's absence from the pulpit. However, on September 10,1982, after decades of "being on the battlefield", God called his "good and faithful servant", Rev. William Lamar home to rest in His bosom.
Recognizing the increased need for some pastoral assistance during Pastor Little's health concerns, on Sunday, October, 24, 1982 after much prayer and consideration, Rev. Richard Nelson from the Garden of Prayer Baptist Church in Maywood IL was charged with the task of Administrative Assistant. During this interim period, Rev. Nelson provided stable leadership, comfort and much prayer. The church continued to progress, renovating the church facilities and renewing our spiritual commitment.
On Thursday, April, 13, 1984, our organizing pastor, Rev. Booker T. Little was called from labor to reward, leaving behind a legacy of "quality leadership and good works." On June, 18, 1984, Rev. Richard Nelson accepted the pastorate of Greater Open Door Missionary Baptist Church. The scripture says in Proverbs 29:18,"Where there is no vision, the people perish..." We thank God for a visionary leader". Under his leadership and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit the Lord has continued to bless us as a church congregation. From 1984 and beyond the church has grown tremendously. We have celebrated spiritual empowerment, financial advancements, property acquisitions, established a Junior Church, developed an active youth ministry, expanded our Ministry of Deacons and assignments.
In Spring, 1998, our congregation broke ground for the construction of a new community center to be named after our organizing Pastor. The Reverend Booker Tellafero (B.T.) Little Community Center opened its doors in March 2000, leading the way for a church to be erected within future years. During the interim, in April 2004, we secured the property located at 1302 S. Sawyer to house the Administrative Offices of our church. From May, 2006 to May, 2008, our church services were conducted in the community center.
July 19, 2006 was a historical moment in the life of our church as we witnessed the demolition of the building where we had worshiped, fellowshipped, celebrated and triumphed in victories, and shared together in disappointments. It was the place for memories of baptisms, christenings, weddings and eulogizing our loved ones. The place where for the past 54 years we received counsel, prayer and listened attentively as our organizing pastor and present pastor rightly divided the word of truth. Our last service in the old church was on May 7. 2006.
On Saturday, May 24, 2008, history was unveiled once again when after much prayer, sacrifice and commitment to building a new church, the Lord blessed us to host a "ribbon cutting" and then march into our newly erected church edifice.
What a blessing it was to have our Pastor and two of our founding members Sister Carrie Clark and Sister Jeanette Lamar leading the way as we marched from the Rev. B.T. Little Community Center into our new church home. What a Mighty God we Serve! Bishop Claude E. Tears of the First Corinthians Baptist Church delivered the first sermon from the pulpit of the newly erected Greater Open Door Baptist Church, as members of the congregation, visitors and friends completely filled the sanctuary to praise and give thanks to God for the great things He hath done! On Sunday, May 25, 2008, at 8 o clock a.m. Pastor Clarence Ray Kelley of Wounded Healers Church Baptist was our guest and the Rev. Willie Williams of Zion Temple Church of Christ was the guest for the 10:50 worship. Our day ended with the Bishop J. L. Petties of the Family Alter Evangelistic Church at the 4 o clock service. So we hosted our first Sunday services in our new church, with three powerful speakers for this great celebration. To God be the Glory for the great things he has done!
We praise God for the privilege of being able to remain faithful to His way, His will and to His Word. Be thou faithful until death and I will give thee a crown of life... Revelations 2:10.
Rev 9/2008
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