West Grove’s oldest church celebrates 115 years of service this month

Minnie Cooper looks to her neighbor during Sunday

As Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church’s hardwood doors opened, light poured inside to reveal more than 100 people filling row after row of pews. They faced the altar, singing along with the church’s choir until, halfway through the Song of Praise, a young boy began to sing a solo after receiving encouragement from the congregation.

The members of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Miami, which holds the honor of being the oldest African American church in Miami-Dade County, are celebrating the church’s 115th anniversary this month. During its long history, Macedonia has served as an important religious landmark in Coconut Grove.

Antowonie Johnson reads at the pulpit from the Bible during Sunday service Oct. 17 during Youth Explosion Day at Macedonia Missionary Baptist church in Coconut Grove. Photo by Brittney Bomnin

Macedonia was founded in 1895 by African American residents of Coconut Grove who grew tired of attending integrated services that lacked the spiritual enthusiasm they wanted in their worship. Macedonia’s first pastor was the Rev. S.A. Sampson, who led 56 members of the Union Chapel into the new church. It was originally called St. Agnes Baptist Church and later renamed Macedonia in 1922. The congregation met in several small churches until members found a permanent home in 1934 on 3515 Douglas Rd. It remains there today, serving as the spiritual home to more than 300 members.

“This is a church that has seen a lot and opened its doors to the community during hardships, offering consoling to non-members as well,” said Linda Williams, who serves as the church’s secretary.

To celebrate its anniversary, Macedonia has been holding events throughout the month of October. Each Sunday’s service will feature guest speakers, such as the Rev. Ross Pierre, of New Bethel Macedonia Baptist Church, who visited on Oct. 17 and the Rev. Erick Evans, of Emmanuel Macedonia Baptist Church of Mangonia Park in Palm Beach County coming this Sunday, Oct. 24.

“Our services this month will feature pastors from Southern Florida whose sermons teach good, strong messages to help bring our congregation into the New Year,” Williams said.

The grand event of the month-long celebration will be Oct. 30 when Macedonia members will travel to Orlando to The Holy Land Experience, a living biblical museum depicting a reimagining of ancient Jerusalem.

Many of Macedonia’s leaders, including the church’s pastor, the Rev. Rudolph Daniels, who taught at Miami Jackson High School, are educators. They have applied their expertise to Macedonia by creating educational programs such as ASTEP, a free after school tutoring program for children in the community, many of whom attend the nearby Francis S. Tucker Elementary School. The program provides children a place to get homework help and a cooked meal before heading home.

In addition to offering educational support to youth within their community, Macedonia has also helped needy adults. In 1995, the church established a substance abuse program with Thursday meetings to help people with alcoholism and drug dependency. Macedonia also created a program to help pregnant young women complete their GED while receiving counseling and support. Recently, Macedonia established a brotherhood mentor program that helps provide guidance to young men within the community.

Church secretary Williams said the congregation’s outreach is key to its mission. She quoted from the Bible’s Ephesians:
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.”