About Us
The Antioch Missionary Baptist Church was founded on March 21, 1981 by the late Pastor Walter A. Stevenson, Deacon Harmon Claiborne, Deacon Charles McKinnon, Deacon Charles Freeman and Deacon Willie Parker. The first worship service was held at 15 Otisfield Street in Roxbury, Massachusetts where fifty-eight (58) members were taken in under the leadership of Pastor Stevenson.
The name Antioch holds great significance to the membership. History tells us that Antioch is an ancient city on the Orontes in southern Turkey, former capital of Syria. The first Christian church was planted at Antioch. Act 11:26 says “and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” We Antiochians are very proud to be a part of the ancient Christian heritage.
In 1983 as the membership continued to grow, the church celebrated its second anniversary at our current location: 1082 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester, Massachusetts. God blessed us with this building which was formerly held by first security where they housed and trained security K-9 Units. It will never be forgotten how much disinfectant, deodorizer and other chemicals were used to get rid of the stench. But through much prayer, hard work and perseverance by a few dictated folks God blessed again and again. For that reason we can sing with great conviction “He keeps on blessing me, over and over again.” With faith in God leading the way, this was the beginning of the miracles at 1082 Blue Hill Avenue.
The name Antioch holds great significance to the membership. History tells us that Antioch is an ancient city on the Orontes in southern Turkey, former capital of Syria. The first Christian church was planted at Antioch. Act 11:26 says “and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” We Antiochians are very proud to be a part of the ancient Christian heritage.
In 1983 as the membership continued to grow, the church celebrated its second anniversary at our current location: 1082 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester, Massachusetts. God blessed us with this building which was formerly held by first security where they housed and trained security K-9 Units. It will never be forgotten how much disinfectant, deodorizer and other chemicals were used to get rid of the stench. But through much prayer, hard work and perseverance by a few dictated folks God blessed again and again. For that reason we can sing with great conviction “He keeps on blessing me, over and over again.” With faith in God leading the way, this was the beginning of the miracles at 1082 Blue Hill Avenue.
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Rev. Stevenson pastored Antioch until his death in August of 1995. Pastor Stevenson once said “The motivation of success lies in how mach a person thinks.’ Proverbs 23:7 says it like this, “For as he thinketh in his heart so is he.” Antioch soon became a church on the road for the Lord, willing to make a spiritual impact in the community and abroad.
In October of 1995, Rev. Harmon R. Claiborne was called by God into Pastorship at Antioch to serve as shepherd over his flock. Pastor Stevenson licensed him to minister in 1989 and ordained him 1990. The church membership soon grew to more than 100 members including those who re-dedicated themselves. Soon, God sent an assistance pastor, Rev. Charles McKinnon to serve on the ministerial staff. |
Rev. Walter A. Stevenson Founding Pastor
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Rev. Harmon R. Claiborne, Senior Pastor
Although Satan threw many obstacles in our paths, Pastor Claiborne knew that there was nothing too hard for God. We can truly say that God has always been there when we needed him.
As the members began to catch onto the vision of the Pastor, great miracles continued to happen. Just to share one, we were in jeopardy of losing our church to the city of Boston, but Pastor Claiborne and the members continued steadfast in the faith of God’s deliverance. It is good to trust in the Lord with all thy heart, thy soul, and thy mind. On January 7th, the church was to be shown to potential buyers, but God worked a miracle through the heart of Mayor Thomas Menino and we were given an eleventh-hour reprieve. The city of Boston pledge to release the church without penalties, subdivided and rezoned the property. The church is now free of any indebtness to the City and all financial obligations are up to date with The City of Boston.
Antioch is a miracle! We are blessed by the Grace of God. There we must continue to faithfully serve him until the end. Isaiah 40:31 says “but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
LORD WE THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR BLESSINGS!!!
And to those who have not been here before, and to those who have, we say to you, look around and you can understand why we sing “LOOK WHERE HE BROUGHT ME FROM.”
Humbly Submitted By
Pastor Harmon R. Claiborne & The Antioch Church Family
As the members began to catch onto the vision of the Pastor, great miracles continued to happen. Just to share one, we were in jeopardy of losing our church to the city of Boston, but Pastor Claiborne and the members continued steadfast in the faith of God’s deliverance. It is good to trust in the Lord with all thy heart, thy soul, and thy mind. On January 7th, the church was to be shown to potential buyers, but God worked a miracle through the heart of Mayor Thomas Menino and we were given an eleventh-hour reprieve. The city of Boston pledge to release the church without penalties, subdivided and rezoned the property. The church is now free of any indebtness to the City and all financial obligations are up to date with The City of Boston.
Antioch is a miracle! We are blessed by the Grace of God. There we must continue to faithfully serve him until the end. Isaiah 40:31 says “but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
LORD WE THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR BLESSINGS!!!
And to those who have not been here before, and to those who have, we say to you, look around and you can understand why we sing “LOOK WHERE HE BROUGHT ME FROM.”
Humbly Submitted By
Pastor Harmon R. Claiborne & The Antioch Church Family
