Macedonia Baptist Church was organized in 1926 under the leadership of the late Rev. John Pugh, on Chapel Street in Newark, New Jersey. The original name of the church was Belleville Baptist Church. The name was official changed to Macedonia Baptist Church on September 14, 1926.
With the passing of Rev.Pugh, Rev. Johnson became the pastor. Rev. Johnson served faithful until he became ill. During his illness, he asked a friend, Rev. Daniel Jenkins to oversee the church until he was able to resume his duties as pastor.
Rev. Johnson succumbed to his illness in the early 1930’s, leaving the pastor ship to Rev. Jenkins. Rev. Daniel Jenkins was installed and became the pastor on October 14, 1930. Under his leadership, the church moved from several locations in Newark they included: Broom Street, 37 Charleston Street, Sara Street, Prince Street, 138 Baldwin Street to 85 Lillie Street. The church became incorporated on March 18, 1946 on Lillie Street.
Rev. Jenkins organized the Senior Choir, Missionary Circle, Usher Board, Gospel Chorus, Pastor’s Aide and the Junior Choir. The Deacon Board, Sunday school and Trustee Board were already functioning.
The Deacon Board at this time included: Deacon Jones, Deacon James Joseph, Deacon Isaac Mc Gregory, Sr. and Deacon Anderson Sutton. Rev. Jenkins ordained Deacon Macon Ellis and Deacon Washington. Deacon Charles Clark joined during this time and was accepted under his Christian Experience.
The Deaconess were Marie Clark, Nora Ellis, Nettie Mc Gregor, Georgia Sutton and Mae Whitfield. The Mother of the church was Vinnie Brown, the mother of Rev. Jenkins.
A small Baptist church on Prince Street in Newark was experiencing a decline in membership in the late 1950’s and after much soul searching and prayer, voted to dissolve their church and unite with the Macedonia Baptist Church family. Macedonia unanimously voted to receive their pastor Rev. Jenkins and his members under their Christian Experience.
Several associate ministers worked beside the pastor, they were: Rev. Garner, Rev. Jefferies, Rev. Robert Whitfield, Rev. William Williams, Rev. William Morris and Rev. Jenkins. Rev. Morris was called to pastor, and the others passed away. Fortunately, Rev. Robert Raynor joined during this time to assist with the ministerial duties.
Rev. Jenkins ordained Deacon Richard Washington and his wife; Nellie became a deaconess in the mid 1960’s.
Due to increasing membership and Urban renewal the church purchased a larger building at 247 West Runyon Street. Force to move due to a fire in the spring of 1972, services were held temporarily at the Northern Baptist School of Religion 604 High Street in Newark. Property was purchased and on April 20, 1973 the church moved to 631 Springfield Avenue.
Due to the death of several deaconesses, Rev. Jenkins added Sister Alberta Nelson-Graves, Sister Vernie Jones and Sister Loretta Verdier to the deaconess board, not because they were married to deacons, but because they displayed behavior of good women and were faithful in all things.
Rev. Jenkins and his wife Rosie were very active in the New Hope Baptist Missionary Association, Inc. He served as the moderator for 21 years and his wife served as the President of the Women’s Auxiliary for 14 years.
The Junior choir members came and went until many of the youths were no longer a part of the church. However, in 1974 under the leadership of Rose M. Verdier-Smith the choir was reorganized and the name was changed to the Voices of Macedonia Young People’s Choir with the approval and joy of the pastor.
The gospel chorus reorganized in 1977 and changed their name to Mary Child’s Memorial Choir in memory of a faithful Missionary who loved singing.
Rev. Daniel Jenkins was a dedicated pastor and servant until his death in 1977. Rev. Robert Raynor, the associated minister, served as interim pastor until December 16, 1978.
Rev. Jesse Brown was called and installed as pastor on February 2, 1979 by his pastor Rev. George Ray and the Union Baptist Church of Newark.
Rev. Brown ordained three additional deacons on May 22, 1983, since due to death only Deacons James Joseph and Anderson Sutton remained. The newly ordained deacons were Deacon Charles Isom, Deacon Clifford Verdier, Jr. and Deacon Eddie Verdier. Sister’s Barbara Isom and Gwendolyn Verdier became Deaconess along with Sister’s Grace Barksdale and Julia M. Mc Gregor-Teal because of their display of faithfulness.
A Junior Deacon Board was organized and the young brethren were Anthony Lewis, Dwayne Phillips, Daniel Ruffin, III, Rodney E. Smith, Jr. and Michael S. Verdier.
Holy Communion was changed from the second Sunday to the first Sunday of every month and Women’s Day was changed from the first to the second Sunday in December.
Rev. Brown combined the Senior and Mary Child’s Choir to be the main choir of the church. A Male chorus was formed to sing each third Sunday. The Progressive Young Adults, a Missionary group was formed in the spring of 1991. And in September 1993 the Building Fund was reactivated and plans were drafted to build a new edifice at the present location.
Rev. Brown and his wife Emma Jean were also active in the New Hope Baptist Missionary Association, Inc. were he served as a Trustee and member of the Permanent Council and she with the Youth Department.
Rev. Brown officially resigned as the pastor on December 31, 1993 after serving Macedonia for fifteen faithful years.
For three months, Macedonia was without a Shepherd and followed the direction of the Deacon Board. A pulpit committee was selected and after much prayer and guidance from the moderator emeritus of the New Hope Baptist Missionary Association, Rev. William Irving, the Lord directed the members to call Rev. Amos J. Malone as pastor.
Rev. Malone was installed as pastor on Sunday, March 27, 1994 by his pastor Rev. Robert Morrast from the St. Peter’s Baptist Church. Rev. Malone and his wife, Doris Nell, are also active in the New Hope Baptist Missionary Association, Inc.
Rev. Malone activated the Mother’s Board on August 7, 1994 and called the following women: Sister Juanita Battle, Sister Louise Jenkins, Sister Floribel Jamison and Deaconess Loretta Verdier. This Sunday was also the dedication of the first Sunday choir, the Amos J. Malone Mass Choir.
Macedonia Baptist Church officially approved and adopted their first written By-Laws on January 1, 1995. A committee composed of one member from each current auxiliary wrote the By-Laws. These laws will be revised and amended every five years.
Rev. Malone ordained Isaac Mc Gregor, Jr. as a deacon and his wife Laverne was appointed to the Deaconess Board. The Women’s Department organized the Ann Raybon Scholarship Fund in memory of a past Trustee chair on October 14, 1995. The funds are distributed to young adults from the church and community who are pursuing a higher education.
The Christian Committed to Changing our Community committee (CCCOC) was formed in January 1996 as the Outreach Component of the Church.
Auxiliaries will be called Ministries effective January 1998. Sister Eartha Butler was added to the Mother’s Board and Sister Gladys Dills was appointed to the Deaconess Board in the spring of 1999 and a church handbook was developed.
In January 2000, Rev. Malone appointed Brother Jaelin Benjamin as a Junior Deacon and Sister Rhonette M. Smith became the first Junior Deaconess. Sister Elgurtha Atkinson was appointed to the Deaconess Board and Deaconess Grace Barksdale, Sister Nannie Perry, Sister Florence Verdier-Ruffin and Deaconess Julia Mc Gregor -Teal became Mothers of the church in 2001 and Brother Freddie Chison was set aside as a walking deacon.
January 2001, Deacon Isaac Mc Gregor became the chairman of the deacon board and Sister Gwendolyn Verdier became the chair of the deaconess board. Deacon Charles Isom was bestowed the honor of senior deacon and Deaconess Julia Mc Gregor-Teal became the head mother of the church.
On September 15, 2002 Deacon Isaac McGregor was licensed by the church as a Minister, vacating the chair of the deacon board. Deacon Eddie Verdier was appointed chairman. Also in September 2002, Brothers Kelvin Barber and Donald Knight were set aside as walking deacons.
June 13, 2004, Rhonda Smith-McCathern was recognized as a minister after preaching the morning message by Rev. Malone.
Rev. Malone ordained Bro. Kelvin Barber as a deacon on March 13, 2005. In 2006 Rev. Malone appointed Bro. Louis Cotton and Bro. Steve Juiston as Walking Deacons and Sis. Monique Cotton and Sis. Renee Juiston as Deaconess-In-Training.
On June 10, 2007 the Youth Praise Dance Ministry, GEMS, God Embraces Me Sweetly, debuted. Additionally, the Adult Dance Ministry, DIVAS, Divinely Inspired Vessels Anointed for Service, debuted on Sunday, September 9, 2007.
On October 24, 2008, Pastor Malone licensed Sis. Monique Cotton as an Evangelist.
In March of 2011, Macedonia vacated their church home at 631 Springfield Avenue to begin a major renovation project. During the transition, services were held at the Clearway Baptist Church.
On July 8, 2012, Bro. Donald Knight was licensed as a Minister of the Gospel.
Mother’s day, May 11, 2014 Rev. Malone appointed Trustee Rose M. Verdier –Smith as an additional mother of the church.
2016, Pastor A. Malone ordained Sis. Gloria Chison as a Deaconess.
God continues to bless our congregation and we continue to walk in Faith, believing that anything we ask in prayer…we shall receive.