Second Baptist Church in Joliet is 136 years young with many active ministries

JOLIET – Delois Caesar is not surprised that Second Baptist Church of Joliet has been around for 136 years.

It’s the combination of a great group of people, said Caesar – who joined in 1970 when she moved to Joliet from Mississippi – and a devoted and encouraging God. The 65-year-old believes God’s wisdom draws people there.

“The people are very nice. Loving and caring,” said Caesar. “I couldn’t ask for a better church family.”

She attends Bible study Wednesday nights and takes the three grandchildren who live with her to Sunday school each week. She also takes them to the church’s gym class weekdays after school.

“They got a lot to offer here,” Caesar said.

She loves seeing the different generations together all worshiping God and enjoying fellowship with each other. The church’s older generations offer plenty to members, she added, with their knowledge of the Bible and of life.

Caesar called the Rev. Larry V. Tyler “a humble, loving pastor.”

A rich and lasting Joliet presence

Tyler said the church might be the oldest African-American church in Joliet, ministering in the area since 1880. He said its longevity is because of two elements: The presence of God and the network of relationships and families, and the outreach of community support.

“One of our hallmarks is that we are community-focused,” Tyler said. “We try to be a church without walls.”

The church has an after-school program open to all children in the community. Tyler said an anti-violence youth basketball program meets Tuesdays and challenges young people to make good life choices.

“We consider this as pre-incarceration opportunities that hopefully change the paths those youths are on,” Tyler said.

Other ministries at Second Baptist include missions, ushering, a nursery, praise dance, mentoring, a health unit, a food pantry, several choirs and a van ministry for those who need a ride to and from church.

Tyler said Second Baptist has a soup kitchen Thursdays and a ministry to get groceries to residents in the community who are in need.

“We’re pretty busy every day of the week,” Tyler said. “We try to put legs on our faith and be open and real to the residents who need a helping hand.”

Tyler has been pastor of Second Baptist for 22 years. He’s only the 16th pastor at the church since its inception. The people, he said, can’t be beat.

“I love ’em,” Tyler said. “They’re good people. We’re united together for a purpose and a passion, with a sense of devotion and service to Christ.”

Noble Moore, of Joliet and a new member of Second Baptist, said he felt the passion right away.

“I was looking for a church home,” Moore said, “and my sister invited me to go with her. The people are very friendly and the pastor is excellent. It was a nice fit.”

Second Baptist was not too big and not too small, Moore said. The people have plenty of knowledge and are willing to share it.

“It’s a church where people are not stuck up,” Moore said, “and people that want to know about the Bible and people that want to teach the Bible. ... That’s what I was looking for. I just love it down there.”

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IF YOU GO

WHAT: Second Baptist Church 136th Anniversary Celebration

WHEN: 7:30 and 10:45 a.m. April 24

WHERE: 156 S. Joliet St., Joliet

ETC: The Rev. Dr. Floyd James Sr., of Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, will speak at the 7:30 a.m. service, and Tyler Prude, pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Kankakee, will speak at the 10:45 a.m. service.

VISIT: www.sbcjoliet.org/index.html

CALL: 815-726-3731

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KNOW MORE

1880: A group of black Christians met in private homes and formed a congregation. Its first home was the old courthouse.

1882: Members bought the property at 156 S. Joliet St.

1888: The church is incorporated as Second Baptist Church. Until the church was built, members met in a home on Des Plaines Avenue.

1888 to 1910: The church offered food, shelter and even showers for coal miners and other workers since indoor plumbing was considered a luxury.

1910: The church conducted night school classes and hosted weekly ice cream socials and fish fries. The basement had ping-pong tables, roller skating parties, nightly Bible study groups and fellowship meetings for young people. The youth performed plays for church members and community groups.

2010: Second Baptist Church celebrates its 130th anniversary with services, a guest preacher and a banquet at the Holiday Inn in Joliet.

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PAST PASTORS

T.C. Fleming; J.H. Reed; I.P. Brown; William Harrison; J.W. Cushon; Denton; S.J. Johnson; F.A. Curtright; S.H. Williams; W.L. Petty; J.P. Spivey; T. Moore King; J.R. Powell; V.M. Herron; Morris H. Smith and Larry V. Tyler.