HISTORY OF CHURCH BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD

1956

  • The Church by the Side of the Road was founded by the late Reverend Doctor Alexander Stephens Jackson, II and organized on April 17.
  • The first service was held on the second Sunday in May in a former Episcopalian Mission on the corner of Grove and Russell Streets.

1959

  • Reverend Jackson; wife, Sister Addie, son, Alexander S. Jackson, lll; and his followers purchased the present edifice here at 2108 Russell Street from the Knox Presbyterian Church.
  • Dr. James Watson appointed Chair of the first Trustee Board.

1973

  • The mortgage was burned and the house adjacent to the church was added to the property. 
  • A Memorial Window was added in memory of Sister Leslie Pope Thomas.
  • The Theodocia Smith Prelude Ministry began.

1974

  • Reverend Jackson retired as Senior Pastor.
  • Reverend Dr. Charles H. Belcher was appointed as his successor.

1976

  • The Marcus Foster Scholarship was established for members who were seeking a college education.

1977

  • The Reverend Dr. A. Edward Bell installed as Senior Pastor.
  • The Goosby Chapel opened in the rear of the Sanctuary.
  • The “Feed the Needy” now known as “Project Feed” started. 
  • Lonnie Price Poindexter Endowment Fund established.

1990

  • The Reverend Dr. George C. L. Cummings installed as Senior Pastor
  • Minister-in -Training Ministry, Video Ministry, Church Council, and Diaconate initiated.

1997

  • Bishop Roy Nichols, Interim Pastor served as Senior Pastor.

1998

  • The Reverend Doctor Arthur S. Scott installed as Senior Pastor.

2002

  • Reverend Cheryl Ward served as Interim Pastor
  • The Church by the Side of the Road underwent extensive physical renovation in the Fellowship Hall, Fireside Room and newly dedicated “Clarence Arceneaux Kitchen”.

2004

  • Reverend James Stewart served as Interim Pastor.
  • Reverend Doctor R. Thomas Coleman installed as Senior Pastor.
  • The Staggers Scholarship Fund established for Seminary recipients.
  • The first CBSOR website initiated.
  • The first performance of the African Children’s Choir. (now a recurring event)

 2010

  • A Memorial Plaque installed in honoring deceased members. 
  • Reverend Dr. Julia Burns Robinson Trust Awarded.
  • A group of members participated in a one year Bible study followed by a trip to the Holy Land.

2011

  • The Reverend Dr. Ambrose F. Carroll, Sr. accepted the call as Interim Senior Pastor of the Church.

2012

  • Dr. Carroll was retained as Senior Pastor.

2013

  • Power Process spiritual renewal sessions initiated for new and existing members.
  • The first “in-house- baptism” held.
  • “Small Group Sessions” started in members’ homes to enhance the fellowship and spreading of the Word.
  • Technology embraced:
    • use of computerized auto dialer system to deliver important pre-recorded church announcements
    • a new CBSOR website and use of social networking websites to promote church the church to a broader community
    • the addition of multimedia screens in the sanctuary to enhance the worship service by projecting text of scriptures, congregational hymns, and videos used to augment the Word of the day.

The Church by the Side of the Road is dedicated to being a Church that makes a difference in the lives of its congregants which will impact a larger congregation. Looking ahead, we pass the banner to our children. The Church must continue to accept its challenges, to be the place where men, women, youth and children can be friends, and serve the Lord through service to humanity. As second and third generations assume leadership, we can see and feel the power of The Holy Spirit moving in our midst.

 

Former Senior Pastors of Church by the Side of the Road

 

Center: Founding Pastor, The Reverend Doctor Alexander S. Jackson, III ( Served from 1956 until 1976)

Top Left: The Reverend Charles H. Belcher (Served from 1975 until 1977)

Top Right: The Reverend Doctor Edward Bell (Served from 1977 until 1989)

Lower Left: The Reverend Doctor George Cummings (Served from 1990 until 1996)

Right Center: The Reverend Doctor Arthur S. Scott (Served from 1996 until 2002)

Lower Right: The Reverend Doctor R. Thomas Coleman (Served from 2004 until 2011)

 

The Late Bishop Roy Nichols challenged us to…

“find new ways to attract people and to present Christ’s personal and social message of salvation.”

 

The late Reverend Dr. Julia Burns-Robinson often assured us that

“With God Leading, WE CAN NOT FAIL!” “We’ve Come This Far by Faith Leaning on the Lord