Macedonia Baptist Church, located at 2625 Stanton Road, Southeast, was organized in May 1866. It was organized by James William Howard, a local minister. It was erected in the 2800 block of Sheridan Road, above Pomeroy Road, as a result of meetings which had previously been held in private homes. Macedonia has the distinction of being the first Baptist church for black people in Anacostia. It was primarily a family church. Brothers James T. Howard, John Green, James Thomas, Elias Harrod, Peter and Joseph Singleton, John Wright, Sisters Jane Howard, Nancy Conway, and Mary Wright were some of the original members.

Snow Creek Baptist Church (washed away by the flood of 1921), Bethlehem Baptist Church, and Matthews Memorial Baptist Church of Anacostia are branches of the Macedonia Baptist Church.

Reverend Edgar Banks was Macedonia’s first ordained minister. Some of the early pastors were the Reverend Catlett, Reverend Brooks, Reverend C. B. Jones, Reverend George Lucas, Reverend Walter Porter, and Reverend C. C. Mason. Later, the Reverend William Williams was installed and served for many years, supported by such ardent workers as the late Sisters Elizabeth Gross, Annie Singleton, Anna Harrod, Annie McPherson, Elizabeth Coleman, and the late Brothers Frank Gross, Albert Watson, and David Harrod.

In 1943, the Federal government purchased Macedonia’s churchhouse, along with other properties on Sheridan Road, to build the Suitland Parkway. After the frame structure was demolished, the small active membership was determined to rebuild Macedonia. During the waiting period, services were held over a store on Sumner Road, Southeast. The property on which the new church now stands was purchased from Mr. George Giles, of Anacostia. The groundbreaking ceremonies were held in 1946, with participation from sister churches and several fraternal organizations. 

The new edifice was dedicated in 1948 with an impressive ceremony. The late Brothers Roscoe Simms, Albert Watson, Veoda Williams, James Williams, and Marvin Moon were ardent workers in this effort, under the leadership of the Reverend Henry Coleman. Others to be remembered for their contributions during this period include the late Sisters Viola Harris, Icelian Coleman, Geraldine Campbell, Laura Norris, and Thelma Simms. Reverend Coleman, a highly respected minister, served faithfully for many years until his retirement. Reverend Philip Elmore succeeded him and served as Pastor for a short period of time. 

Reverend Benjamin F. Thornton III began his pastorate at Macedonia on November 1, 1957, succeeding Reverend Philip Elmore. This was during a time when the congregation was small and worship services were being held in the lower auditorium. In April 1962, Macedonia held commemorative services to begin the completion of the church. Later that same year, Macedonia had to vacate the church building because of reconstruction and held worship services in the Sewing Circle Building on Pomeroy Road. By September 1962, services were moved to the completed edifice and the mortgage was paid in full in 1976 (six years earlier than due). In May 1983, Macedonia purchased two houses, 2615 and 2617 Stanton Road, Southeast.

Under Reverend Thornton’s leadership, Macedonia pioneered the ordination of women among Baptists in the District of Columbia with the ordination of Reverend Elizabeth K. Johnson in 1980.

In the fall of 1985, Reverend Thornton’s health began to fail and he was unable to continue a full-time ministry. In February of 1986, he became Pastor Emeritus after 28 years of dedicated and untiring service. Macedonia honored him by awarding an educational scholarship in his name to the youth who were attending college (the B. F. Thornton Scholarship).

On March 16, 1986, Pastor Eldridge Spearman was installed as Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church. His focus centered on ministering to the needs of the members, educating them in the Word of God, and empowering the community. He began programs to minister to the incarcerated, feed the less fortunate, provide employment, and educate the community in the Word of God as it relates to praying, fasting, and tithing. Some of the highlights of his leadership include the following:

• Established the church Constitution and By-laws
• Restored the church property at 2615 and 2617 Stanton Road for classroom space and conferences
• Paid in full the mortgages on 2615 and 2617 Stanton Road
• Started Narcotics Anonymous meetings at Macedonia on Sunday evenings
• Began Extended Sunday School for the youth during morning worship
• Joined The Progressive Baptist Convention, the D.C. Baptist Convention (DCBC), and the American Baptist Churches of the South (ABCOTS)
• Started Disciple Development Classes and a summer camp for neighborhood youth
• Joined the Capital Area Community Food Bank, the SHARE food program, and had meals delivered to AIDS patients through FOOD and FRIENDS
• Established the Missions Ministry, Evangelism Ministry, and the Board of Christian Education
• Ordained four Deacons
• The Issa Ayinde Drama Club, the Disciples of Praise Male Chorus, and the Ladies Chorale were formed

On May 31, 1994, Pastor Spearman was called to lead another flock at First Baptist Church, located on Minnesota Avenue, Southeast.

On March 9, 1997, Reverend James Edward Hall was installed as Pastor of Macedonia. The church continued to be fruitful and blessed and we continued to move forward under his leadership. Pastor Hall’s vision was to exalt the Lord, evangelize the lost, and equip the Saints through discipleship. Some of the highlights under his leadership include the following:

• Revitalized the Men’s Fellowship
• Started a Women’s Ministry, under the leadership of First Lady Cassandra Hall
• Started a Singles Ministry
• Children’s Sunday Ministry was formed, under the leadership of Reverend Elizabeth K. Johnson
• Youth Ministry was formed, under the leadership of Minister Guy Sellman
• Family Ministry was formed under the leadership of Minister Marvin Rodgers
• A Tape Ministry was formed to allow the Sunday morning message to grow
• A Community Outreach Ministry was formed, under the leadership of Sister Lois E. Tibbs, and a Food Pantry was set up for the needy families in the community
• Macedonia became a satellite location and held college courses through Washington Bible College
• Minister Guy Sellman and Minister Ellen Williams were licensed to preach the Gospel
• Obtained the deed to the property at 2604 Stanton Road
• The Building Fund Committee completed a rendering for the proposed building of a new sanctuary

January 4, 2003 marked the beginning of a new era in the Macedonia Baptist Church. It was on that day that Reverend Garfield Burton became the Pastor-elect of Macedonia. He officially began his tenure on February 2, 2003, preaching his initial sermon entitled “We Need Each Other to Survive,” based on Romans 12:1-5. His vision for Macedonia is based on Psalm 127:1a, which says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (NKJV). Macedonia’s motto is “A Church With A Living Hope In The Midst Of A Dying World,” based on 1 Peter 1:3.

Pastor Burton believes in getting things done. Since he has been here, Macedonia has accomplished the following:

• Scheduled Men in Prayer, Men & Women in Prayer, and Sacrificial Prayer sessions
• Established the M-1 offering
• Instituted leadership training and membership convocations
• Renovated the houses at 2615 and 2617 Stanton Road
• Completed the purchase of the houses at 2609 and 2611 Stanton Road and leveled them to make room for a much needed parking lot
• Upgraded the sound system and audio-visual equipment
• Expanded and revamped the Ladies Restroom
• Converted the coat room in the vestibule to a Handicap Restroom
• Reupholstered pew cushions on the old pews
• Installed new pews (and blessed another church with the old reupholstered pews)
• Landscaped church grounds
• Overhauled the electrical system in the church
• Constructed a wheelchair ramp on the side of the church
• Installed ceramic floor tile and upgraded light fixtures in the vestibule and the hallway outside of the Freeman Fellowship Hall
• Mounted new curtains in the Sanctuary
• Built storage closets in the Freeman Fellowship Hall and the utility room
• Started the Couples Ministry
• Beautified the Freeman Fellowship Hall
• Refurbished the Men’s Restroom
• Installed new windows in the Sanctuary
• Replaced the gutters on the church and the houses
• Upgraded the air conditioning system in the church
• Repainted and laid new carpeting in the Sanctuary
• Hung beautiful new ceiling lights in the Sanctuary
• Had the old concrete steps that led into the church vestibule torn down, then rebuilt the steps with brick and slate
• Installed lights around the outside of the church buildings and illuminated the church steeple
• Purchased a digital sign and affixed it to the front of the church building
• Instituted the Glory Girls Ministry for girls ages 4 to 12 (later renamed the Young Daughters of Virtue)
• Formed the Daughters of Virtue (girls ages 13 to 17), the Sons of David (boys ages 4 to 12), the Joshua Generation (boys ages 13 to 17), and the Men’s Fellowship: Man-To-Man
• Organized the following church ministries: Multi-Media, Security, Teens Gone God, and Transportation Ministries
• Instituted the following annual events for the community: Community Day, Health and Wellness Expo, Resurrection Celebration, Open Mic Night, “Light Up the Night” Fall Festival, and Women’s Weekend (under the leadership of First Lady Marilyn K. Burton)
• Launched a campaign to bring a general awareness about mental health by hosting sessions for various age groups, including Mastering Mind Matters Quarterly Mental Health Symposiums, Building 4 Balance: A Monthly Mental Health Series for Youth Ages 13 to 17, and C.O.R.E. (Creating Our Own Rhythms Earnestly): A Monthly Mental Health Series for Youth Ages 5 to 12
• With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, instituted virtual church services and ministry activities by
  • upgrading and purchasing electronic devices and accessories to enable and enhance virtual services, sessions, and classes, as well as other transmissions and communications through electronic means
  • utilizing a giving platform to enable users to make financial contributions to the church electronically
  • designing a fully functional website whereby users can find vital information regarding the church, its leadership, ministries, history, and upcoming activities/events; submit prayer requests; make contributions to the church; complete or update their Membership Forms; request sessions with the Pastor and/or First Lady; and contact the church on various matters

Macedonia continues to reach out to others through partnering with various ministries to feed, clothe, or meet other needs in the community. We also seek to address the spiritual needs of members and nonmembers alike. But, above all, we strive to help bring lost souls to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.