Second Baptist Church is one of Paterson’s most influential African-American Baptist congregations, with a long history of worship, community service, education, and neighborhood development.<\/p>\n
The congregation held its first worship service on May 5, 1940<\/strong>, at 27 Carroll Street<\/strong> under the leadership of its founder, Rev. Robert Boston Dokes<\/strong>. The founding trustees included:<\/p>\n In 1941, the church purchased its first permanent home at 182 Graham Avenue<\/strong>, where it worshiped for approximately 22 years. In May 1963<\/strong>, the congregation purchased its present church building at 72 Carroll Street<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Rev. Robert Boston Dokes (1940\u20131984)<\/strong><\/p>\n Rev. Dr. Alexander McDonald III (1985\u20132020)<\/strong><\/p>\n Rev. Dr. Sean C. Evans Sr. (2020\u2013Present)<\/strong><\/p>\n Second Baptist has long been recognized as more than a church. Through the SBCDC and other ministries it has developed:<\/p>\n In 2005, the church completed a five-story senior housing development that transformed part of the Carroll Street neighborhood.<\/p>\n Second Baptist Church has played an important role in the religious and civic life of Paterson’s African-American community since 1940. Along with churches such as St. Luke Baptist, Canaan Baptist, and Calvary Baptist, it has helped shape the city’s spiritual, educational, and social development through worship, leadership training, housing initiatives, and neighborhood service.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
Pastors<\/h3>\n
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Community Impact<\/h3>\n
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Significance<\/h3>\n