West Hyattsville Baptist Church

The Early Years: 1951-1960

The work that now encompasses West Hyattsville Baptist Church began in the form of a Sunday school that assembled in a residence at 5823 33rd Avenue by the Mission Committee of First Baptist Church of Mt. Rainier. On March 11, 1951, a building was rented at Ager and Jamestown Roads and a mission was begun by Dr. Paul L. Bard, missionary of the Southern District Baptist Association.

With the assistance of a gift of $500.00 from Baltimore Baptist Church Extension Society, the Mt. Rainier church negotiated purchase of 30,000 square feet of land at the corner of Nicholson Street and 31st Avenue as a building site. In the fall of 1954, the Church Extension Society challenged the mission congregation to raise $2,281.08, to which they would add a gift of $2,000.00 with which to repay the Mt. Rainier Church for the land indebtedness. The challenge was accepted and the money was pledged in a single service.

Ground breaking service was held May 15, 1955. With Pastor Hinton Harris serving as building foreman, construction began immediately. Dedication and open house was held on January 1, 1956. From September of 1956 until the spring of 1958, Rev. Henry Martinez served as interim pastor. On July 1, 1958, Rev. Richard L. Muse of Raleigh, N.C. was called as the first full-time pastor of the Mission. On March 8, 1959 the Mission was constituted as West Hyattsville Baptist Church.

Rev. Muse resigned on July 10, 1960 and Rev. R. I. Berghauser was called as interim pastor and served until Dr. Alva E. Thompson, Sr., became the second full-time pastor on March 12, 1962. Under his leadership additional property was purchased and the building was totally renovated and redecorated, including the addition of a lighted steeple at a cost of $122,890.00 without incurring any indebtedness. Support for missions was increased, nine young men went into vocational Christian service; two as Military Chaplains, one as a minister of Music, one to work with the Home Mission Board in New England, and five as pastors.

A mission Sunday school was begun in Patuxent Mobile Estates at Lothian, Maryland. It grew rapidly and a Mobile Home was purchased as a house of worship. This Mission was later relocated and constituted as New Hope Baptist Church.

Era of Transition

On December 31, 1988, Dr. Thompson retired. Rev. Thompson Newman was installed as pastor on January 22, 1989 and served until July 9, 1989. He was followed by Rev. Wesley Harris, who served from December 31, 1989 until November 25, 1990. On July 7, 1991, Rev. Edward Baker was called and served until April 12, 1992. On March 28, 1993, Rev. Paul Bowen was called as an Interim pastor, and served until September 26, 1993.

The congregation voted unanimously to make the transition from an English-speaking congregation to a foreign language congregation. Thus, on December 19, 1993, in a service of transition, the church called Rev. Andrew Shen as pastor and received 88 members from Berwyn Baptist Chinese Mission, and elected a slate of Chinese officers.

In proceeding years the church experienced a steady decline due to the relocation and ill health of some members. Through Divine intervention, Sister Rachel Thompson invited our fellowship to worship with West Hyattsville Baptist Church on October 10, 2004. From that first visit, a spiritual union was formed.

Victory at West Hyattsville

For a long time while Victory Baptist Fellowship prayed for its own sanctuary, looked at many buildings, but Divine intervention brought both churches together. Following much discussion with West Hyattsville Baptist Church, Victory Baptist Fellowship received a proposal to become members of the church. After a series of consultations and meetings, it was unanimously agreed that Victory Baptist Fellowship accept the offer of becoming members of West Hyattsville Baptist Church.

The name change from Victory Baptist Fellowship was a difficult decision. However, on November 6, 2005, West Hyattsville Baptist Church received 69 members from Victory Baptist Fellowship and Rev. Eric L. David was elected pastor.

Since the transition, the church has been renovated and redecorated at the cost of $80, 000.00 without incurring any indebtedness. West Hyattsville Baptist Church has seen a steady growth in membership and began a 3 year Capital Campaign on September 30, 2007 to increase the size and functionality of the building.


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The Early Years: 1951-1960 The work that now encompasses West Hyattsville Baptist Church began in the form of a Sunday school that assembled in a residence at 5823 33rd Avenue by the Mission Committee of First Baptist Church of Mt. Rainier. On March 11, 1951, a building was rented at Ager and Jamestown Roads and a mission was begun by Dr. Paul L. Bard, missionary of the Southern District Baptist Association. With the assistance of a gift of $500.00 from Baltimore Baptist Church Extension Society, the Mt. Rainier church negotiated purchase of 30,000 square feet of land at the corner of Nicholson Street and 31st Avenue as a building site. In the fall of 1954, the Church Extension Society challenged the mission congregation to raise $2,281.08, to which they would add a gift of $2,000.00 with which to repay the Mt. Rainier Church for the land indebtedness. The challenge was accepted and the money was pledged in a single service. Ground breaking service was held May 15, 1955. With Pastor Hinton Harris serving as building foreman, construction began immediately. Dedication and open house was held on January 1, 1956. From September of 1956 until the spring of 1958, Rev. Henry Martinez served as interim pastor. On July 1, 1958, Rev. Richard L. Muse of Raleigh, N.C. was called as the first full-time pastor of the Mission. On March 8, 1959 the Mission was constituted as West Hyattsville Baptist Church. Rev. Muse resigned on July 10, 1960 and Rev. R. I. Berghauser was called as interim pastor and served until Dr. Alva E. Thompson, Sr., became the second full-time pastor on March 12, 1962. Under his leadership additional property was purchased and the building was totally renovated and redecorated, including the addition of a lighted steeple at a cost of $122,890.00 without incurring any indebtedness. Support for missions was increased, nine young men went into vocational Christian service; two as Military Chaplains, one as a minister of Music, one to work with the Home Mission Board in New England, and five as pastors. A mission Sunday school was begun in Patuxent Mobile Estates at Lothian, Maryland. It grew rapidly and a Mobile Home was purchased as a house of worship. This Mission was later relocated and constituted as New Hope Baptist Church. Era of Transition On December 31, 1988, Dr. Thompson retired. Rev. Thompson Newman was installed as pastor on January 22, 1989 and served until July 9, 1989. He was followed by Rev. Wesley Harris, who served from December 31, 1989 until November 25, 1990. On July 7, 1991, Rev. Edward Baker was called and served until April 12, 1992. On March 28, 1993, Rev. Paul Bowen was called as an Interim pastor, and served until September 26, 1993. The congregation voted unanimously to make the transition from an English-speaking congregation to a foreign language congregation. Thus, on December 19, 1993, in a service of transition, the church called Rev. Andrew Shen as pastor and received 88 members from Berwyn Baptist Chinese Mission, and elected a slate of Chinese officers. In proceeding years the church experienced a steady decline due to the relocation and ill health of some members. Through Divine intervention, Sister Rachel Thompson invited our fellowship to worship with West Hyattsville Baptist Church on October 10, 2004. From that first visit, a spiritual union was formed. Victory at West Hyattsville For a long time while Victory Baptist Fellowship prayed for its own sanctuary, looked at many buildings, but Divine intervention brought both churches together. Following much discussion with West Hyattsville Baptist Church, Victory Baptist Fellowship received a proposal to become members of the church. After a series of consultations and meetings, it was unanimously agreed that Victory Baptist Fellowship accept the offer of becoming members of West Hyattsville Baptist Church. The name change from Victory Baptist Fellowship was a difficult decision. However, on November 6, 2005, West Hyattsville Baptist Church received 69 members from Victory Baptist Fellowship and Rev. Eric L. David was elected pastor. Since the transition, the church has been renovated and redecorated at the cost of $80, 000.00 without incurring any indebtedness. West Hyattsville Baptist Church has seen a steady growth in membership and began a 3 year Capital Campaign on September 30, 2007 to increase the size and functionality of the building.
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