In America, the Black Church began when slaves met secretly to hold religious services apart from their white masters. Since then, the Black Church has been a place of worship and has provided the education, the leadership and the political forum for Black-Americans. In the Detroit area there are a great number of historical Black Churches, the Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church is definitely one of them.

The Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church has been a centering force in Detroit, Michigan since early 1916. The Sunday School of The Russell Street Baptist Church was the Mother organization of the church, as it gave birth to the Church. The Sunday School was called "The Sons and Daughters Sunrise Society's Organization." It was in the Sunday School that the idea of a church was born. The Sunday School was organized October 2, 1915. All available records agree that the first services was held in the home of the Ross's, who were the leading spirits of the new Church. They were involved with much of the making of the Church's policies. The original Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church was organized on February 2, 1916, in the home of these organizers, Deacon and Mrs. West Ross. Their home was located in the area known as the Northend. Another leading family in the beginning church were the Hills. Later, The Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church moved from the Ross's home to a storefront located on Oakland at Alger. The Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church is the oldest church located in this Section of Detroit. Currently it is located at 8700 Chrysler Service Drive. It is boarded on the west by the 1-75 expressway, on the east by Knox Street, the North by Holbrook Street and on the South by Alger. The Church sits right on the corner of Alger and 1-75.

As we examine and observe the historical facts surrounding the organization and development of this great religious institution, the period from 1916 to 1930 was the formative years of the church. From 1916 to 1920, the church experienced a period of instability. It was said that when the naming of the church was in progress, the congregation cast marbles and the Baptists won by one marble. Just as the General Motors Corporation had an unstable beginning, The Russell Street Baptist Church did also. 1916-1920 was truly the period of turbulence and self-finding. Those years were a formative period for the Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church. It is very unfortunate that a true and detailed record of the events of this period and the contributions of each Pastor were not recorded.

It is obvious that Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church grew out of a need for Black people of Detroit, and was organized to meet the needs of the Northend, as there was not a church located in this area. During this time, the automobile industry was beginning to grow very rapidly. Many Blacks came from the South looking for employment. They were able to find employment with the automobile companies. As they settled in the Detroit area, they were looking for a place of religious worship. The Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church provided this spiritual outlet and spiritual growth for many of the blacks who came to the North seeking employment during this industrial migration. As General Motors, Chrysler and the Ford Motor Company sought to build cars, Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church was building souls.

Up until this time, The Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church had been Pastored by Rev. Harris, Rev. Craige, Rev. Sam Hill and Rev. B.J. Smith. Also, up to this point, it is written that the church had only one Deacon, who was West Ross. This would account for the frequent changes in Pastors and the slow progress of the church. As the concentration of power in the hands of a single person has proven the undoings of many organizations.

In December 1919 when the church was located on the corner of Oakland and Alger, a scholarly statesman, Rev. J.O. Derrick came from Ypsilanti, Michigan. This far-seeing leader with an eye to the future of the church saw the need for more space for this growing congregation. Rev. Derrick brought the church under Baptist policy and set about to expand the membership, the program, the personnel and the total life of the church. Rev. Derrick led in an advanced program of young people's activities, such as. athletics, oratory, singing and group action was emphasized. He led the congregation to the present site and bargained for it at a cost of $20,000.00, and erected the wood frame building. Rev. Derrick was there until 1931.

Rev. C.L. Schateen succeeded Rev. J.O. Derrick and was more of an interim until Rev. Parrish could get to Detroit. There is no record of what happened under his leadership. By now, Russell Street Baptist Church was one of the strongest Black churches in the City and was nationally known. Rev. Derrick had done much to stabilize the church and to give it an anchor, which has influenced the church until this day. Later in 1931, Rev. Parrish did arrive. Rev. Parrish was a great organizer and he was a great Evangelist. 1931-1940 were years of fruitful labors and much hard work to get started on a new program. Under his leadership, the money contribution envelope system was set-up, the church property was paid for, and the membership grew. Next, Rev. I. H. McEIroy was placed as Pastor and served until 1942. During the previous Pastor's reign, there was always resultant confusion, misunderstanding, mistrust and development of factions within the church. For the next pastor, the first task would be to restore confidence and mutual goodwill. Many of the members had either joined other churches, or were going from church to church, or were at home waiting for peace to come to the church. Following this Pastoronage, the Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church congregation decided to find a man who was not only anchored in the Lord, but who also had some formal education.

Pastor Stephen Calhoun Campbell came to Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Howard University. He was accompanied by his wife and family. One of Pastor Campbell's goals was to find out the reasons for the many church babies and the bad attitudes of the members towards each other. It was discovered that there were two factors. One, no records were kept, and two, there was no planned program for absorption of the talent of the members. The leadership addressed itself to the task of placing all where they could best serve. Pastor Campbell converted their old way of business to one of a business method and administrative policy. It was going to take courage, vision and a education to do what had to be done. The new Pastor adopted a policy that the past was dead, funeralized and must be forgotten, and that he was everybody's Pastor, whether they voted for him or not. Under the Campbell Administration inventory was taken during registration, where a complete history was gathered about every member. New organizations were set-up. New programs were given and tasks assigned to every member. Heads of organizations were called in and asked to adopt goodwill attitudes toward the church and each other. The church office was setup and equipped. When the church adopted the revolutionary five year program, a new day broke upon the congregation. The church was able to come together and put on a tonic of prayer, loyalty, devotion, cooperation, mutual, trust. helpfulness, kindness and consideration.

Once the five year program was adopted, the office became the nerve center of the church. Workers were placed according to their ability and where they would do the most good. Similarly to a slogan adopted by the President of General Motors, Pastor Campbell adopted 'A task for every member and a member for each task". Their theme song became "Count on Me", and a "Hive of Bees" became the symbol of the Church.

The new policy of nothing but the best can represent the church, lifted Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church up among the most advanced churches in the state. Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church soon became the church of many firsts. Complications gave way to cooperation. Rivalry was supplemented by a revival of unity and fellowship. Guidance and direction were given to the total life of the church. Independently acting parts now became one. Under Pastor Campbell, the new order of service emphasized worship, instruction, evangelism, recreation and service. The offering became a part of the worship, and was given new meaning. Training in leadership procedure became a passion of the new Pastor. "To be a Better Christian, you must study your job" became the saying.

A budget of $20,000.00 was set with $10,000.00 as the new Church fund. The newly built pastorium costing $4,800.00 was paid in full in five months. Members who had been at home or at other churches had come back home. They had heard the call "Children come home, Russell Street has a new daddy".

The organization and development of The Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church was paralleled to the growth of the automotive industry in the United States, especially as it grew in and around Detroit. The introduction of the assembly line by Henry Ford was pivotal in the development of the Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church. The simultaneous development of the New General Motors Corporation was to aid in the development and growth of this Church. As Blacks were receiving good paying jobs at the "Big Three", they were able to contribute more money to help facilitate the Church's plans. They began to contribute money monthly to every student who was attending college. The plans to build a new church were underway. The rapid growth of the new membership of the Church, with its fast expanding program, made it necessary for a new Church. Eventually after eleven years and $500,000.00 later, the present structure of the Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church was constructed. During this same time, the Northend Black Businesses were very prosperous. Located on the next corner South of the Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church was Barthwell Drug Store. The Barthwell Drug Store chain was a healthy and striving business, and it had chains of stores throughout the United States.

The State Housing Construction Company along with architect Donald White began the construction, but it was finished by the Anderson Construction Company. The Seating capacity was greater than 1,000. The first Sunday after the building was completed, the congregation marched over from the Sherrod Elementary School, singing and playing all the way. The Church was constructed from a steel frame and use of brick and mortar. The style was Romanesque, with rounded arch windows. There was a large rose window located on the front wall. Very colorful stain glass was placed in all of the windows, and remains until this day.

After the arrival of Pastor Campbell, he had to make many decisions that were not popular but he was able to take the feelings and thoughts of the congregation into consideration. The use of compromise was a great tool of his. Rev. Derrick put the church on the map, Rev. M.P. Parrish organized it, but Dynamo Campbell gave it a new mind set. It was under this new mind set that Pastor Campbell served until his death in 1976. The Church and the community were deeply saddened. Since his death, the Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church has had four Pastors. Rev. Cullin Hill, Rev. C.B. Knox, Rev. Anthony Campbell, and Rev. DeeDee Coleman.

Under Rev. Anthony Campbell, who is the son of the original "Dynamo" Campbell, The Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church was an ideal church, serving the community, meeting human needs, and pointing men toward God and the better life. Neglected youth were put to work. Russell Street has been in the forefront for Blacks as they have fought for economic, political, and civil rights throughout its history. It has helped much with the Metropolitan District Baptist Church efforts to build the Phillip Todd Boys Home, located on Webb and Woodrow Wilson in Detroit. It has filled the McGregor Auditorium at Wayne State University on numerous occasions with its gospel music. It is the Mother of numerous Baptist Churches in the City of Detroit, such as, Richmond Avenue, Salem Baptist, Mt. Sinai, Mt. Moriah, Community Baptist, Cyrene Temple, Nazareth Baptist and Springhill Baptist. In more recent history, in cooperation with the City of Detroit and the U.S. Federal Government, Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church has sponsored and organized the Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church Soup Kitchen to help feed the hungry and the homeless. Where also, there is an opportunity to obtain clothing as well as completing of GED classes. The Russell Street Missionary Department helped to organize and sponsors a mission in Haiti. When Anthony Campbell became Pastor for the first time at the Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church, the installation service was officiated by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Other historic events held at the church include the funeral of Jackie Wilson. Becoming Pastor in 1981/93 Pastor Campbell served until retirement on August 19, 1999.

Russell Street once again, being lead by the Spirit and walking in Faith, stepped on the wings of a dove and proved it to be a Church that is not led by man but by God, when on November 12, 1999, the Body of Christ called its first female pastor in 81 years. The Reverend DeeDee Marie Moore-Coleman. Reverend Coleman a native of New Orleans, Louisiana who now resides in Oak Park, Michigan, was baptized at the age of five, by the late Reverend Walter Washington at the Fairveiw Baptist Church. She maintained her fellowship at Fairview for 35 years before moving to Michigan.

Reverend Coleman served as the Assistant to the Pastor in Liturgical Ministries for Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church while under the leadership of the Reverend Anthony C. Campbell. Under Reverend Campbell she was blessed to preach, teach, baptize and travel abroad, where she has cherished moments of Reverend Campbell's scholarly lectures, exegesis abilities and hermeneutical gifts in interpretation of the Word of God.

Pastor Coleman has been in the ministry since 1963, she was ordained as a Deacon in October, 1988, granted her License to Preach in October, 1990, and received Full Ordination to the Ministry in July, 1993, all under the leadership and tutelage of the Reverend Doctor Charles G. Adams, Senior Pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, where she served as an Associate and Diaconate's Trainer. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from William Tyndale College, Farmington Hills, Michigan, a Master's Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Marygrove College, Detroit, Michigan and is currently a doctoral student.

Since being installed as Pastor on January 30, 2000, the Church has pressed on in growth and Kingdom Building. This preaching and teaching woman of God brings a Vision, a Plan and the Spirit to move Russell Street into the 21st Century with the Lord as the only guide. Under one year of leadership, Russell Street has:

• Its first handicap ramp in its 85-year history
• A Renovated Kitchen
• First Federally Funded (FIA) Summer Program Site
• A Rekindled Fellowship of the Community and Church
• A New Sound System
• Re-established Hour of Power on Wednesdays at noon and the Pastor's Bible
• Class on Wednesday nights
• Over $90,000 in Renovation Updates to the Current Structure

Pastor Coleman has revitalized the membership. Upon being installed as Pastor the membership roll revealed 330 members and to-date, Russell Street is now blessed with 722 members. Former members have come home and accepted with rejoicing, 5 babies christened and 41 souls baptized.

Through the leadership of Pastor Coleman, Russell Street has its eye on building a Life Center where God can continue to be glorified. Keep your eyes on the corner. Hope will come up soon, Faith will become reality and Love will continue to abide all in the "House that Faith Built."

The Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church has been very instrumental in shaping the history of Detroit and still today remains a historic, influential church.

Church History Works Cited by:
Mitchell, Venita, Humanities Student Wayne State, August 18, 1993
Coleman, Deedee, Pastor, February, 2001