General Info:
The House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church was established on October 10, 1965 by Reverend Charlie Thrower with the aid of Minister Agie Lee and Mrs. Josephine Lee. Charter members include, Reverend Agie Lee, Sister Josephine Lee, Sister Cleo Morris, Sister Ada Phillips, Sister Tenny Simmons, Brother Haney, Sister Elizabeth Haney, Sister Myrtle Applewhite, Brother Teddy Williams, Sister Louise Williams, Brother Willie Davis, Sister Melvin McLaurin (Jenkins), Deacon Eugene Davis, Minister Ernest Key, Sister Key, Sister Charlene Jenkins and Sister Arbertha 'Tweedy" Payne. On October 23, 1966, Minister Charles Norton from Foss Avenue Baptist Church, Minister Justin Thigpen from Macedonia Baptist Church, Pastor Archie Powell Sr. from First Union Baptist Church along with Deacon Versie Reynolds, Deacon Charlie Garner and Deacon Andrew Collins from Macedonia Baptist Church administered the organizing. Minister Charlie Thrower, our Founder, was named as Pastor. In 1968 the church building was demolished by fire, after which time worship services were held in the basement of the home of Pastor Thrower located at 1063 Alma Street. After having service at the Pastor's home the church family moved into a building located at 1604 North Saginaw Street. In 1971, the Lord blessed us with a church building located at 605 East Gracelawn Avenue which we were able to purchase in 1973. On the first Sunday in November of 1973 we burned our mortgage. As our membership continued to increase so did our need for more space. In 1975, we were blessed by our Heavenly Father with the finances needed to purchase land in order to build a larger sanctuary located at 1851 West Carpenter Road. On Sunday, October 18, 1979 at 4: 00 pm. ground breaking ceremonies were held at this land site. On Sunday, April 12, 1981 we marched into our new church home and dedication services were held from Monday, August 3, 1981 through Sunday, October 25, 1981.