The Fulton Baptist Church was organized about 1902, by the Rev. Fleet Vennie. Shortly after, he placed the work in the hands of Rev. Charles Young, who served for a few months, until Rev. Samuel H. Ward was called as pastor. During Rev. Ward’s eighteen years of ministry, the church membership grew from 100 members to a membership of 773 just before Rev. Ward’s death in 1920. Following him, Rev. M.D. Willis was the minister for a few years. On March 2, 1927, the late Rev. Dr. B.F. Jackson took the lead and restored Fulton to her old station and leadership. The building purchased under Rev. Ward’s pastorate, on 2206 Division Street, was overhauled and a beautiful new organ was installed. Rev. Jackson, a master of Christian Education started a Christian Education Training School for church workers and Sunday School Teachers. Membership grew to over 800 members.

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After much prayer, in June 1948, the congregation marched on foot to the new edifice where we are presently worshipping at 1630 W. North Avenue. It was a historical move, being one of the first African- American congregations to be located on North Avenue. Rev. Dr. B.F. Jackson died in 1968 after a 42-year pastorate. In 1970, Rev. Joseph Simon was called to pastor the flock. He was a dynamic servant with administrative and leadership skills. He reorganized the church’s auxiliaries and departments. He also established a Trustee Board and Deaconess Board. Rev. Simon redecorated the main sanctuary and attempted to establish a Boy Scout Troop. Also, a new order of service was established. Rev. Simon’s tenure ended in 1975 due to illness. He resigned as pastor within that year.

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In the fall of 1975, Rev. Douglas Wilson served as supply pastor during the interim period. In November of 1975, he assumed the position of pastor of Fulton Baptist Church. He added three new groups: The Male Chorus, The Voices, the Youth Choir, and in his last years, the Youth Ministry. His stirring sermons and sharing and caring manner were felt by all. He had a true concern for his members and was always willing to assist the families in sickness and bereavement. Under his leadership, he led the church into the new millennium. He licensed and ordained Associate Ministers who assisted with the church’s various spiritual ministries.

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The Deacon Board was enlarged by the ordination of young members. Under his leadership, a Junior Deacon and Junior Deaconess Board have been established. Pastor Wilson was instrumental in updating the church office with modern equipment.  In the early morning of Thursday, March 19, 1987, the church was destroyed by a fire. Pastor Wilson’s faith in God kept the church together during the Five “Wilderness” Years. As we worshipped on the campus of Coppin State University (then college), “we the members were the church.” We were embraced by sister churches, of the surrounding community and state, both spiritually and financially. In August 2009 after 34 years of tireless service, Dr. Wilson retired.

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With much prayer, fasting, and searching, on February 27, 2011, after a church-wide vote, Fulton Baptist Church, elected its sixth spiritual leader and pastor, The Rev. Julian Rivera. The people voted but God ordained it to be so and sent us a true leader, teacher, visionary, pastor, and friend. Under Reverend Rivera’s tenure as pastor, Fulton flourished in the area of community outreach and became dedicated to service. Service outreach such as giving away food, clothes, laundry detergent, as well as other items and instituted the SHARE food program which distributes high-quality low-cost food to an average of 75-100 families a month, most of whom are seniors in the Stadium Place Senior facility. 

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Fulton was inspired to feed over 500 families every Thanksgiving and became a host site for Narcotics Anonymous. Fulton even adopted Matthew Henson Elementary school, providing school supplies at the start of each school year as well as implementing after-school programs in the areas of photography and chess for 4th and 5th graders. In addition to the outreach efforts, Fulton established partnerships with various businesses that continually supported the ministry. Being passionate about outreach, the community development corporation (North Ave. CDC) was established to help further Fulton’s outreach efforts. 

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In June of 2018, Pastor Rivera addressed the congregation in a called church meeting to share that he was resigning effective December 31, 2018. Though surprised, saddened, and weary, the church once again relied on leadership and banded together under the theme “Moving forward strengthening our faith in the word of God” with the supporting scripture Philippians 3:13-14. The church continued in prayer, bible study, worship, and outreach. On August 4, after much prayer and supplication, the church voted and elected by a majority vote the 7th pastor of Fulton Baptist Church the Rev. Dr. Clifton Urquhart. Our 115th church anniversary is not only a monumental milestone, but we also are still reeling from the blessing of being able to have welcomed our new pastor The Rev. Dr. Clifton & First Lady Glynnis Urquhart, and family on October 1, 2019.

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Pastor Urquhart has come and is already loved by many and known as humble and about his Father’s business. He has already begun guiding and teaching the congregation about “The Power of COMmUnity” using the guiding scripture from John 13:33-35 (NIRV): “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me. Just as I told the Jews, so I am telling you now. You can’t come where I am going. “I give you a new command. Love one another. You must love one another, just as I have loved you. 35 If you love one another, everyone will know you are my disciples.”

Under Pastor Urquhart’s leadership, we have been able to accomplish projects: such as the restructuring of the building, including offices, a new podium, and two (2) new screens for the sanctuary. We were blessed to have received a $14,000 donation from a faithful family given to update the sound system. God has done some remarkable things in the brief time Pastor Urquhart has been at Fulton. The goal is to build a community one person at a time. Since becoming Pastor at Fulton, until the pandemic, at least one person gave their life to Christ each Sunday.

Under Rev Urquhart’s leadership, we have been able to partner with Planet Fitness, Amazon, HBO, Chrysalis (Women’s Transitional Living), Gaudenzia, LifeBridge, and CUTS (Clergy United to Transform Sandtown) Whole Foods and St. Francis Neighborhood Center. 

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All told, Fulton is not only the “friendly church on the corner, but” it is also a church that is making an impact in the lives of our brothers and sisters in our community as well as dedicated to strengthening and growing our congregation. Anchoring all of that is a commitment to the Word of God through bible study and other teaching opportunities, a vibrant worship experience, as well as ministries to men, women, youth, and seniors.