History of Second Baptist Church

In 1821, the first person of African Heritage was admitted to membership in the Second Baptist Church (white) in Richmond, Virginia. During the great revival of 1831, many more joined. On February 1, 1846, fifty-one members, feeling the urge to greater service to God and man, voluntarily withdrew, and the Second African Baptist Church began on East Byrd Street.

The first pastor of the church was the Rev. Jeremiah Porter, white. The congregation was served by other white pastors until after the Civil War, when Black pastors began serving: Rev. Pleasant Bowler, 1866-1873; Rev. William Troy, 1875, 1881-1887; Rev. Walter H. Brooks, 1876 (interim), 1877-1880; Dr. Zachariah D. Lewis, 1889 – 1926; Dr. Joseph Tyler Hill, 1928-1950; and Rev. Odie Davis Brown,1950-1989.

Pastor Hill, viewing the encroachment of the Virginia State Penitentiary, had the church purchase the Park View Baptist Church at Idlewood Avenue & Randolph. On Easter Sunday, March 24, 1940, the church held its first service in this brick building of Gothic architecture with frosted glass windows. The debts were paid in a record breaking time of four years.

Rev. James Henry Harris, PhD, DMin, was called as the eighth pastor of Second Baptist Church on April 30, 1990, and installed on November 18, 1990. Over the years, Pastor Harris has led the church in a self-study that has focused on outreach, Christian education and worship, evangelism and ministries for children and youth. The church was reorganized under his leadership. Actions taken:

Expanded the celebration of African-American History Month (February) with the Annual Lewis-Hill-Brown Spiritual Enrichment Series, named in memory of our late pastors, Dr. Z.D. Lewis, Dr. J.T. Hill, and Rev. O.D. Brown,
Organized a Summer Enrichment Program for children and planned a year-round West End Youth Academy
Instituted a church retreat, workshops and seminars.
Instituted a Tuesday Noonday Bible Class (in addition to the Wednesday Night Bible Class) and a Thursday evening Bible Class.
Reorganized the Music Ministry to include a Mass Choir, a Children's Choir, a Male Choir, a Youth Choir, and a Church Orchestra, all under the direction of the Minister of Music.
Developed a New Member orientation class
Instituted a Food Pantry and expanded it to twice a week
Instituted the Black Community Love Festival
Led the renovation of the church building and the enhancement of a 21st-century sound system with screens.

Pastor Harris led the church through the COVID-19 Pandemic, when the church was closed for 2½ years. The church has reopened, and the congregation has renewed dedication. The congregation is facing the challenges of the 21'st century church while embracing its storied history. Christian education, preaching and teaching, and reclaiming the community have become the focus of Pastor Harris' ministry here at Second Baptist Church. He celebrates his 36th year as pastor in 2026.

He is married to Rev. Demetrius Bright Harris, DMin, of Norfolk and they have two sons, James Corey and Cameron Christopher.

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Email

sbcwestend14@gmail.com

Phone

804-353-7682