In 1967, three strong God-fearing women believed that it was  God’s plan for us to find a new place of worship. They shared this desire and dream with others, and 250 people met to discuss the matter of not just joining another church, but in fact, starting another church. After a series of meetings at the late Deacon and Sister George Washington’s home, the decision was made to organize The Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. Until a permanent sanctuary could be constructed, this group of worshippers met at the Liberty City Community Center for worship services located at 6301 NW 14TH Ave. At this point, an invitation was extended to Rev. Purdy S. Brown to worship with us and become our Pastoral Leader. Pastor Brown accepted this invitation and thus the journey to building this venerable sanctuary commenced.

Our first service was held on Sunday, November 12, 1967, at 11:00 am in the Liberty City Community Center auditorium to hear our first sermon at The Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. At this sermon, everyone present was amazed to see that the choir, under the direction of Sis. Isabelle Blue; the ushers, under the leadership of Sister Rose Munlin; the Deacons under the leadership of Deacon George Washington, and the Deaconesses under the leadership of Sister Mariah Shines were all on duty, functioning as though the church had been established for years. After the “soul-stirring” message delivered by Rev. Cullen C. Felder, Sr., the invitation for membership was extended and over 100 people became members.

After worshiping together for five weeks, a request was made to the Florida East Coast Missionary Baptist Association to officially organize the Church and install our Pastor. On Sunday, December 17, 1967, at 3:30 pm, a formal organizational meeting was held under the leadership of  Moderator O. W. Foster and the Chairman of the Board, Pastor L. J. Alford of the Florida East Coast Missionary Baptist Association for the official organization of our church. When the invitation for membership was extended, 139 more accepted the invitation for membership bringing the total membership roll to 250 worshippers. Pastor Purdy S. Brown was officially and unanimously elected and installed as the Pastor of The Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church on this day.

The initial officers of the Church were Pastor Purdy S. Brown Senior Pastor, Pastor Cullen C. Felder, Sr., Assistant Pastor; Deacon George Washington Chairman of Deacon Ministry; Sister Loreatha Peck, Church Clerk, and Recording Secretary; Sister Rhunette D. Moore, Financial Secretary; Brother Wesley Culver, Treasure; Sister Maggie Scott, Registrar; Brother Monroe Collier Chairman of the Trustee Ministry; and Sister Sallie Collier, President of the Deaconess Ministry.

Under the dynamic Leadership of the illustrious Pastor, P. S. Brown, we stepped out on God’s Grace, and in November 1967 the process to purchase this land and build this magnificently beautiful edifice that we now occupy began.  Our funds were limited however, Pastor P. S. Brown led us with a strong will and great skills to build. Shortly after our triumphant march into this newly constructed edifice, Pastor Brown met his untimely transition on February 25, 1975.  After the death of Pastor Brown, Pastor Cullen C. Felder led the congregation from 1975-1981. On October 25, 1982, Pastor Charles E. Coleman was called to lead, and he did so until his retirement in March 2011.

We were able to burn the first mortgage on June 24, 1990. However, additional financing became necessary to install an elevator thus, a loan was obtained in September 2006 to improve access to the main sanctuary by way of this elevator installation.  We therefore have arrived at this Day - June 10, 2018 -where we can burn what we foresee as our second and final mortgage on God’s House.

Pastor Benjamin H. Parrott Sr., was called in March 2011 to lead the congregation after Pastor Coleman’s retirement. Seven years into his pastoral duties, Pastor Parrott has led a willing congregation to raise enough funds to liquidate the mortgage on this building again.  We do not know what the future holds, but we the membership rest in the assurance that we do  know who holds the future, and  having been freed from this debt —our prayer is that under the present leadership, we can remain true to our motto; “We are a Church in the heart of the city with the city at Heart.” We are striving to be a Matthew 25 church. To God be the Glory!”