Childs Memorial Baptist Church

HISTORY OF THE CHILDS MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH

“A Journey to New Blessings”



On September 9, 1923, the Ebenezer Baptist Church relocated from their Mt. Vernon Street location to their new home on North 10th Street below Girard Avenue under the pastorate of Reverend Alexander Childs. Shortly, within months after this move Rev. Childs was called home to be with the Lord.



Later at Ebenezer in 1932, under the Reverend J. Walter Brooks, the church was faced with a financial crisis. There was large disagreement on the resolution of the matter within the membership. That disagreement resulted in a portion of the group leaving the church. This departing group of believers, although they were now without a church home, were still resolute to do God’s work.



Under the leadership and guidance of Board of Trustee Chairman Henry A. Himmons, trustees John Monroe and Edward Adams, and Edward M. Baker, the organizing began … with the support of the other members.



Brother Baker made arrangements to hold Sunday church services at 11:00 A.M. in Clayton Hall, 919 West Girard Ave. But because the hall was used for other purposes and there was need for additional services, Mr. Baker arranged to use the Strand Theatre on 12th and Girard for morning and afternoon worship. When necessary, services were also held in his home and in the homes of other members. This faithful congregation of believers (though un-named), were also simultaneously, working to become recognized legally as a non-profit religious incorporated organization.



Now, while all this labor in the name of the Lord was being undertaken, the remaining members of the Ebenezer Baptist Church who had stayed with Rev. Brooks on North 10th Street, were forced to go elsewhere as the continuing financial crisis caused those doors to be pad locked when serious debts accrued and the bills went unpaid.



Sensing that the Lord had provided the hope for a permanent home, Mr. Baker and the faithful brothers and sisters had to find a way to reopen those locked doors on North 10th Street below Girard Avenue.



To generate the needed funds to pay off the debts, a major fundraising drive had to be undertaken, and generous donations had to be given. Again, Mr. Baker was the leader; he and several other members were the first to contribute, even going so far as to post their personal properties as collateral.



The reward came when the necessary payments were made covering past debts, and l83 devoted lambs re-entered the church building on North 10th Street (the former Ebenezer Baptist Church), led gloriously by Deacon Frank Mitchell, who was another hard working pillar of the church.

In honor of the late Rev. Alexander Childs (their beloved previous pastor), it was decided that henceforth, this new church on North 10th Street below Girard Ave. would be called “Childs Memorial Baptist Church”. And in 1933, the name Childs Memorial Baptist Church was formally adopted by the membership. They then followed the provisions and requirements established by the Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and were so accorded that designation on May 5, 1933. At that time the Reverend I.J. Barbee was acting Pastor.



One year later, in 1934, Reverend Lester C. Smith (1st) was brought to Childs Memorial as its first elected and installed pastor. Reverend Lester C. Smith immediately set forth the work, getting his congregation involved.



Some structural changes were also done under Rev. Smith’s aegis. The church entrance was completely altered with the construction of new front steps leading to the entry of Childs Memorial. This project was done by the hard-working hands of the men of Childs, and was financed by fundraising efforts.



Once again however, though there were over 500 in attendance for services every Sunday, the congregants were faced with financial difficulty. And once again, how these matters were to be resolved caused another rift. In 1937, Rev. Smith and part of the Childs left to form the Mount Sinai Baptist Church on 28th and Lehigh Avenue.



Distressed but undefeated, the remaining believers turned again to Mr. Baker for guidance in the absence of a pastor. Mr. Baker stayed the course until 1938, when God sent to Childs Memorial Baptist Church the Reverend H.W. Watson (2nd). During the 11 years that Childs Memorial was blessed with Reverend Watson, until he was called home in 1949, our glorious church grew in every way possible, from serving God to serving our community brothers and sisters.



Under his good guidance, Childs became a chartered corporation in 1945. Trustees Chairman Dennis Satchell, Secretary Edward Adams, Treasurer Edward Baker and trustees Malcom DeWalt, Simon Little, John Monroe, Donnie White and William Ingram were the eight men whose hands and seals witnessed the charter on July 5. It became a final decree on September 26, 1945.



After the death of Rev. Watson in 1949, a year later, June 1950, Childs and its children were truly blessed with the arrival of Reverend Raymond A. Cromwell (3rd) along with his loving and gracious wife, Willie Mae (Billie).



Throughout his career in Christ, Rev. Cromwell devoted huge amounts of efforts in a variety of Foreign Missions. With his rich experience and glad heart, with Billie standing staunchly beside him, the people of Childs knew that joyous days were ahead, and these two beloved people had been Heaven sent.



Reverend Cromwell said a prayer, rolled up his sleeves and set about making Childs Memorial Baptist Church bigger and better than it had ever been. He wanted all members of the church to be involved with its operations and growth, from within and from without.

Reverend Cromwell had worked long and hard for our church and, eventually, his health began to weaken. While at a Baptist Minister’s conference, he happened to hear a preview by Reverend Hill Lloyd Norris. Reverend Norris agreed to help Rev. Cromwell with his pastoral load and served as assistant Pastor before and after Rev. Cromwell’s retirement. Reverend Cromwell retired and was named Pastor Emeritus in 1972.



In July, 1973, the search for a full time pastor was ended when Childs Memorial was blessed with Reverend Louis Cunningham (4th), a man of God, a dynamic preacher, teacher and counselor.



Reverend Louis Cunningham came to us, with his wife, Rebecca, and two children in September, 1973. In his 11 years of service, Rev. Cunningham oversaw numerous changes and accomplishments, working closely with the congregation to make our Lord’s house shine.



Much of the shine he helped to provide came from changes he made to the physical plant of Childs Memorial, including the installation of a new baptistery, wrought iron rails around the pulpit, a new public address system, air conditioners, heating system conversion and much more. Rev. Cunningham also had the wisdom to purchase a vacant lot from the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority which became the church’s parking area.



Later Rev. Cunningham, after expending much strength and vision to contribute to Childs Memorial Baptist Church, saw the need to employ his ministry calling elsewhere and so, in July, 1984, he left the church to organize the Love Zion Baptist Church on North 23rd Street.



Through prayer and unflagging determination, Childs was lead to Reverend Marvin LaMont Caldwell (5th) in July, 1985. At his side came his lovely, talented wife, Dianne Burton Caldwell and their daughter, Khaalisha, and son, LaMont



Reverend Caldwell came to Childs Memorial with the goal of unifying her members completely so there would be ever-present cooperation in its functioning, that no members would be un-involved, either spiritually or physically. Rev. Caldwell in his tenure also led the church through more physical improvements, acquisition of a parsonage, as well as much ministry expansion and service to the community.



After thirteen years of dedication to the Childs Memorial Baptist Church, Rev. Caldwell, during a Sunday morning service, informed the church he felt the Lord was leading him to sojourn elsewhere. He told the church he was going to follow the leading of the Lord. The Childs Memorial family prayed, and wished him God’s blessings.

Immediately the Childs Memorial family started praying and seeking God’s face for His direction in finding another pastor. After a little more than one and one half years the Lord answered our prayers, and sent to us the Reverend Dale L. Crawley Sr. (6th) of the Christ Baptist Church of Burlington, NJ. on September 12, 1999. Also, at his side, came his lovely and gifted wife, Deborah Crawley (now Minister Deborah Crawley, licensed in September, 2003) and their two children, Dale Jr. and Dominique.


From the first day at Childs Memorial, Pastor Crawley had a God-given vision for the church. His desire is to do the Lord’s will and bring glory to His Name. Pastor Crawley is an explosive preacher and exciting bible teacher, bringing new life and light to our Tuesday evening “Hour of Power” Bible Fellowship. By preaching and teaching God’s Word stressing practical life application Pastor Crawley makes the Word of God palatable that even the young can understand.




In promotion of our Christian mandate Pastor Crawley introduced the church’s new logo which emphasizes “Reaching, Teaching and Discipling”. Under the leadership of Pastor Crawley, the church’s membership has increased more than 150% to a membership presently of more than 500. On June 1, 2002 the church took a major step in our journey to new blessings by ratifying and adopting a new Church Constitution and By-Laws, which set in place the church’s new organizational and operational structure.



Also under Pastor Crawley’s leadership the church has gone through many structural additions, renovations and ministry revitalizations from building restoration and refurbishment to the additions of computer networks, multi-media equipment etc. making CMBC ready for New Millennium Ministry. Always passionate about the Lord’s business Pastor Crawley leads the church in pursuit of the “Vision & Plan” of God.

We praise the Lord for blessing and sending us such a man of God. And we give endless thanks … for a rich past, and a glorious and fulfilling future as the Lord takes us on “The Journey to New Blessings!”


“Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses."
Joshua 1:3