History of Springfield Baptist Church

Springfield Baptist Church was organized on November 17, 1939. On this blessed date, the late Sister Josie Cheeter opened the doors of her home located at 777 M Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C., and welcomed our founders, the majority who ascended from Springfield Baptist Church, Edgefield, South Carolina, including, Deacon Jefferson D. Yeldell, Sister Annie Mae Yeldell, Deacon J.D. Mobley, Deacon J.R. Carter and Sister Lillie Eldermann to participate in a devotional service and organizational meeting to establish a church. The Reverend John Sligh served as Moderator Pro-term, and Deacon J.R. Simmons served as Secretary Pro-term. As a result of this meeting, Springfield Baptist Church was organized.   

On the fourth Sunday, November 18, 1939, the members hosted the first worship service, and a pastoral search committee was formed, and the search began for a pastor. The initial membership of Springfield Baptist Church was thirty-seven and these members worshipped at their first church home located at 1337 Seventh Street, Northwest. Reportedly among those worshippers were Deacon James Marshall, Mrs. Elizabeth Marshall, Deacon J.R. Simmons, Deacon Bennie Hanes, Mrs. Pearly Joyner McPherson, Mrs. Lexia Hinson, Mrs. Beatrice Stringfellow, Deacon Fleming McClinton and Deacon Eddie Tolbert.

Reverend Westley Shorter was elected to serve as acting pastor. Additional officers elected included the Deacons: Mr. J. D. Yeldell, Chairman, Mr. J. D. Mobley, Mr. J. R. Carter, and Mr. Joseph Duncan; Trustees: Mr. Samuel Graham and Mr. James Duncan; Mrs. Lettie Eldemann, President, Missionary Circle; and Mrs. Florence Shorter, President, the Women’s Auxiliary. 

Deacon James Leech, a member of the Southern Baptist Church, Washington, DC, recommended Reverend Eddie J. Gallman to the Search Committee. Subsequently, the search committee extended a Call to Reverend Eddie J. Gallman. Reverend Gallman accepted the Call, and was elected as the first pastor of Springfield Baptist Church, in 1939, at 1337 Seventh Street, NW.

In November 1941, under the leadership of Pastor Gallman, Springfield purchased a building located at 1429 Sixth Street, NW Washington [Subsequently houses our Kingdom Kids Child Development Center]. On January 20, 1942, the following Trustees of Springfield Baptist Church, Mr. Jefferson D. Yeldell, Mr. James Marshall, Ms. Ossie Perrin, Mr. Carroll H. Smith, Mr. Gorman Earle, Mr. Arthur Morgan and Mr. James Duncan, negotiated and signed the first Deed of Trust for the property owned by Zion Evangelical Church. Pastor Gallman established the Deacon Board, Trustee Board and several auxiliaries.

Our records reveal that under the Spiritual Leadership of our Greatest Leader – Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Springfield Baptist Church, through prayer and faith, called eight anointed visionary pastors: The Late Reverend H.C. Mack, Reverend James H. Marshall, Reverend James J. Abney, Reverend H. Wesley Wiley, Reverend Dr. L.B. Jones, Sr. [our current church edifice was erected and dedicated on January 25, 1976, under his tenure and additional properties purchased], Reverend Dr. Carl Que Hickerson, and our current shepherd Reverend Dr. Vernard E. Hinton. 

Springfield has endured many challenges and is steadily moving forward by faith with great imagination and resilience. It is our sincere hope and prayer that our Church will remain a beacon of light globally and locally. 1 Corinthians 2:9 Reminds us that “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”