History
of Prospect Hill
In August of 1923, the Prospect Hill Baptist Church was organized in the home of Deacon Ed and Sis. Minnie Wells, where it was originally named First Baptist Church of Prospect Hill. The church was later moved to the Turner School from October 1923 to 1925, while the church’s edifice at 519 Leeton Avenue was being completed. Upon moving to our current address, 4533 Arlington, the church was renamed Prospect Hill Baptist Church.
Former Pastors
of Prospect Hill
Rev. Leon O. Gyce
August 1923 –
November 23, 1926
Rev. R. L. Turpin
November 30, 1926 –
November 7, 1928
Rev. Earl R. Williams
April 5, 1929 –
February 5, 1937
Rev. Simon R. Rice
July 2, 1937 –
April 4, 1941
Rev. William H. W. Cockrell
July 4, 1941 –
March 30, 1949
Rev. Lonnie J. Jordan
July 9, 1949 –
August 14, 1953
Rev. Charles C. Waters
September 8, 1953 –
October 1, 1967
Elder Hervey C. Tiller
February 18, 1968 –
July 27, 1975
Rev. Dr. Adrian F. Jones
December 7, 1975 –
October 21, 2009
Interim Pastors include:
Rev. Abraham Hayes, Rev. Ben Willis, Rev. Thomas Lewis, and Rev. Tommie Lee Smith.
Seventeen ministers - eleven of which were ordained - and numerous deacons were inducted under the leadership of Pastor Adrian F. Jones.
God constantly added members to the church family, and it soon became evident that the membership had outgrown the church's seating capacity. In June 2004, the renovation and expansion of our present house of worship began. During renovation, we worshipped at the Ted Foster and Sons White House Chapel located at 10192 New Halls Ferry Road. On March 12, 2005, we marched back into the newly renovated Prospect Hill Baptist Church.
Pastor Adrian F. Jones served as Pastor until October 2009, when the Lord called him from labor to reward. Leadership then fell upon Deacon James Franks, Deacon Chairman and Deacon Jackie Robinson, Trustee Chairman. The search for a new Pastor ended on September 19, 2010, when the congregation overwhelmingly elected Rev. Darian Jael Jones, who accepted the invitation to serve as our 10th Pastor.
Under the leadership of Pastor Jones, six deacons were appointed, ministries were reconstructed or newly established, Sunday morning worship was extended to two services for a time, a weekly noon Bible Study was added, and the biannual Adrian F. Jones Leadership School was launched. Pastor Jones also expanded our Christian Education team and their resources, established The Storehouse Food Ministry, and dedicated The Brenda Coleman Hope Chest Clothing Ministry in honor of former member, Brenda Coleman. The church purchased the land at 4903 Arlington Ave. to construct an additional parking lot, and a 16-passenger church van was also purchased.