Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church

Brother Jeremiah Fitzgerald, a native of Danville, Virginia began our church in 1885. Having been reared in the Baptist church in Danville, Brother Fitzgerald was shocked after he migrated to Pittsburgh to find only three Baptists in the East Liberty section of the city. The three were Wilmore Johnson, Alexander Barbour and William Dangerfield.

The first meetings, overwhelming in power and spirit, were held in the home of Mrs. Melvina Dent. At one meeting where the Spirit prevailed the home was so filled with glad rejoicing and thanks-filled testimonies that the police broke up the meeting and dismissed its members. They arrested Brother Fitzgerald on charges of disturbing the peace of the neighborhood. The group suffered much humiliation from this unsavory incident. The meetings were moved to the home of Mrs. Thomas Ransome.

On the first Friday in May 1885, on a site that is at the rear of Rodman’s current location, Fitzgerald, Johnson, Barbour, Dangerfield, Daniel Walker, Annie and Thomas Ransome, Samuel Loveless, Maria Bumbrey, and Amanda Holmes began to organize the present church. The first Sunday in May 1885 our church was set apart by the White Baptist Church in the 6400 block of Penn Avenue. The last Thursday in August of that year set the reorganization of the Salome Baptist Church, as we were then called.

An arsonist set fire to and destroyed the beacon light (our church house) that stood at the corner of Rodman Street and Collins Avenue for 85 years on Saturday, May 15, 1971. It was a dark day in the history of this house of God. While many churches and buildings were offered to the membership for worship, Rev. Bowick accepted the offer of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, located on Highland Avenue, just a few blocks from the site of the church. On Sunday, May 16,1971, we had services as usual, from Sunday school straight through Baptist Training Union.

The membership decided during a church business meeting in September 1972 to tear down the one remaining wall and to rebuild on the same site. Pastor and Mrs. Bowick and a small group of members secured a building permit in November 1972. Ground breaking for the new church occurred February 16, 1974.

The new cornerstone, which was to have the names of the founder and of the present pastor, was laid on April 6, 1975 during a special service. God blessed us to see a new church rise out of the ashes and debris. Rodman Street Baptist Church was again the beacon light on the corner of Collins Avenue and Rodman Street.

Our entrance was delayed until June 8, 1975. But talk about a time – on that Sunday we triumphantly marched from the Seminary on Highland Avenue and into our new church home!!!

The theme for the occasion was, “God Had Smiled On Us!” After a week of special services, the new Rodman Street Baptist Church was dedicated on June 15, 1975.

In 1985, during the celebration of the 100th Church Anniversary, Rev. Paige examined the original signed charter and discovered that the official church name was the “Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church”. Since that time the church has assumed its entire proper name.

In March 1996, Pastor Paige cast a vision for the expansion of our church facility. We knew that with faith and the grace of God, this expansion would become a reality in the near future. The near future became a reality in 1997.

The addition to the church was named the Fitzgerald Wing. This new wing provided room for additional classrooms for study, social areas for fellowship, after school mentoring and tutoring, and day care services..

Under the spirit-led leadership of Pastor Paige many ministries were created to meet the needs of the community. The pastor’s vision has birth Naomi’s Place-a transitional housing service for women; a full-time Minister of Music and an After-School program to name a few. Pastor Paige retired in October 2008 after serving faithfully for 24 years.

In February 2010, Rev. Dr. Darryl T. Canady assumed the pastorate of our great congregation. He brings a high level of excitement, energy and experience to his new appointment at “The Street”. He offers a fresh perspective for revitalization inside the church and outside in the local and global community.

We Praise God for all that he has provided for us. The solid foundation that our past leaders laid is being built upon for future generations. As Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church stands on 125 years of existence; we pray that God’s omnipresence will continue to surround us, guide us and keep us in His care.