Antioch Baptist Church History
The Antioch Baptist Church had its beginning in April of 1952 at 711 South Utica Street, Waukegan, Illinois, which was the home of Mr. & Mrs. William Madison. On May 14, 1952, a council was formed with the Rev. E.J Cole as moderator and the Rev. Cleofus McKenzie served as the secretary. Other council members representing the Waukegan and North Chicago areas included Rev. W.D. Kilgore and Rev. Jonas Porter. Letters of dismissal from other churches were presented to the council by the following individuals: WH. McIntosh, William Madison, Mrs. F. Herbert Davis, Doris Blanchard and Mary Harrison, for the purpose of organizing a Missionary Baptist Church.
This organized council met at the Christ Episcopal Church Parish House on Grand Avenue in Waukegan, Illinois, where others were given the opportunity to join this fellowship. During this time, the Rev. F. Herbert Davis was extended a unanimous call to become Pastor of the new church. The church was given the name Antioch Baptist Church by Doris Blanchard, because scripturally the Saints were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 1 1:26).
After ten years of service to Antioch and God Almighty, the Rev. F Herbert Davis ended this life on June 10, 1962. The church was later blessed with the leadership of the Rev. W.H. McIntosh and during his tenure as Pastor the church's mortgage was paid off. However, due to an illness of Rev. Mclntosh, the Antioch Church family elected the Rev. Henry Perry as Pastor. Sadly due to his poor health, Rev. Perry soon resigned. During that time Antioch was without a pastor, the Rev. Michael C. Green was asked to serve as interim Pastor.
On November 6, 1985, Rev. Michael C. Green by a unanimous vote was elected to the position of Pastor. Rev. Green served Antioch Baptist Church for over 21 years before retiring and returning to his home in Jackson, Mississippi along with his wife1 Mrs. Josie Green. On June 6, 2007.the Antioch Baptist Church Congregation gathered and by secret ballot, voted the Rev. Anthony C. Conley Sr. to be the next Pastor. The Rev. Arthur J. Gass, Sr. of Mt. Zion Baptist Church Waukegan Illinois, served as moderator.
This organized council met at the Christ Episcopal Church Parish House on Grand Avenue in Waukegan, Illinois, where others were given the opportunity to join this fellowship. During this time, the Rev. F. Herbert Davis was extended a unanimous call to become Pastor of the new church. The church was given the name Antioch Baptist Church by Doris Blanchard, because scripturally the Saints were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 1 1:26).
After ten years of service to Antioch and God Almighty, the Rev. F Herbert Davis ended this life on June 10, 1962. The church was later blessed with the leadership of the Rev. W.H. McIntosh and during his tenure as Pastor the church's mortgage was paid off. However, due to an illness of Rev. Mclntosh, the Antioch Church family elected the Rev. Henry Perry as Pastor. Sadly due to his poor health, Rev. Perry soon resigned. During that time Antioch was without a pastor, the Rev. Michael C. Green was asked to serve as interim Pastor.
On November 6, 1985, Rev. Michael C. Green by a unanimous vote was elected to the position of Pastor. Rev. Green served Antioch Baptist Church for over 21 years before retiring and returning to his home in Jackson, Mississippi along with his wife1 Mrs. Josie Green. On June 6, 2007.the Antioch Baptist Church Congregation gathered and by secret ballot, voted the Rev. Anthony C. Conley Sr. to be the next Pastor. The Rev. Arthur J. Gass, Sr. of Mt. Zion Baptist Church Waukegan Illinois, served as moderator.