 What is now known
as the “Historic” Washington Street Missionary Baptist
Church was born out of the upsurge of the spirit of freedom, which
brought on a national conflict on the eve of the Civil War. The
chartered members were former members of the First Baptist Church,
a white congregation of the city of Paducah. The large number
of black members gave rise to the idea of a black organization. The
black members were granted letters of dismissal for the purpose
of organizing their own congregation. Reverend George Brent, of the First Baptist Church offered his
services in organizing the new church, as there was not a minister
among the slaves. Under his leadership,  Washington
Street Baptist Church was organized in a small log cabin on this
present
site on the first Sunday in February, 1855.
Reverend George W. Dupee was called to lead Washington Street
in 1858. His training and teaching of the membership in
ethics of worship earned him the name, “Pappy Dupee.” He
ruled with a hickory stick, about two inches thick and three
feet long, which he took to the pulpit. Reverend Dupee was
the founder and moderator of the General Association of Colored
Baptist, and he organized the First District Baptist Association
in 1867. During the early years, Washington Street gained
prominence and recognition as the largest black church in Western
Kentucky. Reverend Dupee gave 39 years of invaluable service
to our church, and died in1897 after having preached, “Ye
Must Be Born Again.”
In 152 years, the faces have changed, but God still remains
the same. From then to now, Washington Street Missionary
Baptist Church still remains serving God and spreading the gospel
of Jesus Christ. Then, it was a small congregation born
on a log cabin. Today, it is a multi-racial and multi-cultural
congregation with the same mission, “Lifting Jesus.”
Throughout the ribbon of time, Washington Street Missionary
Baptist Church has seen 17 pastors to guide its ministry. From
then to now,  the church has persevered through 3 floods, a fire,
and even the depression, while remaining true to its ministry. What
began in a small log cabin on this site has become the harbinger
of change, with dynamic growth in the community, as a church
dedicated to serving God. Housed first in a log cabin and
then in the magnificent stained glass and towered edifice of
yesteryear to a beautiful edifice today, Washington Street is
a plethora of positive people with potential.
 Under the leadership of Pastor Raynarldo Henderson, Washington
Street continues its ministry in a diverse community fraught
with ever changing challenges. With much spiritual insight,
Pastor Henderson has implemented ministries that make Washington
Street relevant for this 21st century. He reminds us that
Washington Street is not where she is by accident. God has
called the Washington Street Church to do a ministry in this
community that no other church can do. If we don’t
do it, it won’t get done.
One long time member of Washington Street has described this
ministry with one word, progress. Washington Street is a
progressive church! “Washington Street is not what
she once was, and not what she could be. But with your help
and God’s grace, she is constantly moving forward.”
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Church
History
