History
New Monumental Baptist Church was organized in 1892 by the Rev. H. J. Johnson. It was first called the Mt. Zion Baptist Church and the meetings were held in a rented building at the corner of Eighth and Chestnut Streets. Rev. Johnson served as pastor of the church for five years. The next pastor of the church was Rev. Varner of Macon, Georgia, whose tenure of service was very short.
In 1903, Rev. J. B. Miller became pastor of the church and during his tenure the name of the church was changed to New Monumental. Shortly after this time, a building on Douglas Street was acquired to house the growing congregation.
Rev. Miller was succeeded by Rev. M. M. Ward. Under his brilliant leadership, the church experienced great increase in membership. When he resigned to accept a church in Indianapolis, Indiana, the congregation extended a call to Rev. L. T. Simpson. He accepted the call and served as pastor for a short time.
The next pastor was Rev. M. W. Moore. He was a dynamic speaker and he served the church longer than any of his predecessors. He was called to his eternal reward in 1920.
The church then called Rev. J. A. Wimberly of Atlanta, Georgia. During his leadership, a division arose and some of the members followed him in the organization of a new body called the Olivet Baptist Church, which is now located on Martin Luther King Boulevard.
On the fifth Sunday in July 1922, Rev. G. W. Sanderfur was installed and the installation sermon was preached by Dr. A. M. Townsend. Under Rev. Sanderfur’s leadership, the edifice at 715 East Eighth Street was erected. It was begun in May of 1928 and completed in November of the same year. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. L. K. Williams, President of the National Baptist Convention.