Our Church

 From Vernon to Avers to 79th to Hoyne, this is our journey!

    The Birth of

Second Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church

The conception of this church with it's rich history stems from the obedience of one man, his love for God, and his family…

June 1946 Organized in the home of Pastor Willie Lee Anderson at 2949 S. Vernon Ave.

Pastor Anderson’s family, along with several families from the neighborhood were the first members of SMV and helped with its development. These families were pillars in the community, so its not a surprise that people throughout the area began to follow suit in attendance.  As membership grew, space became limited. A team of members began to look for a place to hold Sunday service.

 From his home to the YMCA to the Carver Hotel back to the basement apartment of his home, the word of the God went forth and the church continued to grow.

 March 1953 Urban Renewal began to buy land in the area.  As a result, Pastor Anderson and his search team set out to find a new location for SMV.  A home located 1859 S. Avers was identified as their new church home. The men of the church restructured the home into a place of worship.

 January 4, 1956 Second Mt. Vernon was incorporated in Springfield, IL by Secretary of State, Charles F. Carpenter in Book 2566, page 442 Certificate #5373

 July 1958 Rev. R.H. Patton and his wife Emma joined the fellowship.

 The church grew by leaps and bounds.  Some original members stayed, while others left, but the number of new members was astounding. The ministerial staff grew as well.  Rev. Patton became the assistant pastor under Pastor Anderson and Rev O.C. Brand (family member) worked with the youth.

Due to his failing health, Rev Willie L. Anderson and his wife had to relocate to Oakland, CA.  He appointed R.H. Patton as pastor.

April 19, 1970 Rev. Relious H. Patton was installed as Pastor and Rev. Lee A. Davis, nephew of Rev. Anderson, was installed as Assistant Pastor and Treasurer.

 The Lord continued to bless this body of Christ financially and the church building was being used to full capacity.

 In the summer of 1975, Pastor Patton identified property at 2101 W. 79th St. With the approval of the board of directors, this would become their new church home.

 November 1975 the church moved into their new and much larger church home. 

Rev. Patton preached a stirring message, "Give Me This Mountain".  In 1976 he began to preach and teach on tithing in the church.  His focus was on scripture, teaching that the support of the church comes from tithing.

 July 5, 1977 Rev. Willie Lee Anderson made his transition. 

The one man, with the help of God and his family, organized this church on a foundation of love and faith. 

His dream became a reality...the dream lives on!

  The motto: “Let Love Abide” was so befitting for this family-oriented congregation.

Under Patton's leadership, the church continued to grow spiritually.  He preached the gospel in season and out of season, equipping members with the necessary tools to be effective witnesses for Christ. One can attribute the church's rapid growth, during this period, from the outreach ministries of the members and family connections as well.  

It was the dream of Rev. Patton and the Board of Director to build a church from the ground.

By faith they purchased and broke ground on the lots located at 79th and Hoyne.

Like Moses, Rev. Patton would see the promise land from a distance, but he would not cross over…..

 June 18, 1986 Pastor Relious H. Patton made his transition. 

July 27, 1986 Rev. Lee A. Davis was installed as Pastor and Rev. James Green became the Assistant Pastor and Treasurer.

Pastor Lee A. Davis was a humble man and very grateful to God for his appointment as Pastor.  He did not take this assignment lightly.  He studied the word of God and some might say he was a scholar of the scriptures. His faithful Assistant, Rev. Green was a preaching machine.  Some could say he was a visionary as he was best known for the statement, “Can’t you see it in your mind”.

November 6, 1988 (First Sunday), the members of Second Mt. Vernon M.B. Church marched into their newly built church home.

July 24, 2013 Assistant Pastor James Green passed suddenly.

Rev. Green's death shook Pastor Davis as he was his backbone as well as the membership. Times ahead were extremely challenging as Pastor Davis juggled remaining faithful and committed to SMV and caring for his ailing wife, Sis. Bertha Davis.  But God...Pastor Davis appointed Rev. Kevin McDonald as the Assistant Pastor.

This young man grew up in Second Mt Vernon and had proven to be a "ram in the bush".  Pastor Davis, however, was still committed and supportive to this church until his health failed.

May 1, 2016 Pastor Lee A. Davis made his transition.

September 18, 2016 Rev. Kevin Mc Donald was elected as Pastor

November 6, 2016 Rev. Kevin McDonald was installed as Pastor of Second Mt. Vernon M.B. Church. 

His intentions…let’s get back to the root of the matter...LOVE!!!

Stay tuned; let's see where LOVE continues to take SMV!

Vision

To create a safe haven where love is manifested and where the Holy Spirit compels, convicts, and changes lives for the Kingdom.

Mission

 To preach, teach, and demonstrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ