MORNING STAR MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

500 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET

AVONDALE, ARIZONA 85323

 

CHURCH HISTORY  

73 years of Service 2025

In the fall of 1951, Rev.  Elmer Jarrett visited Avondale, Arizona and saw a need for a church.
He and Sister Eva Lona Green visited homes in the neighborhood to see if the people were
interested in a church and they assured Rev. Jarrett they were.

Rev. Jarrett began to move forward to locate a place for service.  The pastor of the Assembly of God Church came to his aid and let Rev. Jarrett use his church for service in the afternoon.

The first service was attended by Sister Eva Lona Green.  During the second service Sister
Green united by Christian experience.  The first candidate for baptism was Brother Mose
Tatum.  With these two members and several friends from associate churches, Rev. Jarrett
organized the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.

As the membership grew, Rev. Jarrett saw a need to push forward.   He began to look for
property to buy.  Sister Green located this site and Rev. Jarrett and members acquired the property.  Rev. Jarrett, with the help of his brother, Brother Alton Jarrett, began working
on God's building.

The first service at this site, 500 South Seventh Street was on Easter Sunday April 20, 1952.  The building was a shelter with a roof of palm leaves, no walls or floor.  This service was attended by members, Sister Lona Green and Sister Catherine Trotter.  Sister Trotter was our last Charter member and was called from labor to rest on February 14, 1997.  She was a faithful and devoted member until her death.

After the first service Rev. Jarrett kept working on God's building and as the weather began to get cooler, the walls, floor, doors and windows were added.

As the membership grew, auxiliaries were organized.  Brother Frank Hill was the first Sunday School Superintendent, Sister Irene Davis was the first church clerk, Sister Lona Green, the first Mission President, and Brother Walter Hunter was the first Deacon ordained by Morning Star.  Sister Lona Green was also the first president of the Usher board and Treasurer.  When there was a need to baptize, Rev, Jarrett used the Salt River.

The church continued to move forward.  The membership increased and Rev. Jarrett saw
a need for a larger building.  Plans were drawn up for the present building.  The foundation was poured and the baptism pool was added. Rev. Jarrett didn't stay to finish the structure, but the fruits of his seven years of labor are still remembered.

God sent another servant by the name of Rev. A. C. Handy, in the fall of 1959.  Rev. Handy and the church continued to move forward with the completion of the present building and organizing of the Brotherhood and Junior Mission.

As the membership grew, the cafeteria and Pastor's study was added and later the classrooms.  Rev. Handy continued to move forward until he was called home on August 24, 1981. Associate Ministers Rev. Lee Montague and Rev. Rayfield Johnson carried on the services.   

 

Rev. Rayfield Johnson became Pastor at Morning Star July 1981.  On November 12, 2010 the Lord called him home. He was our Pastor for 29 years and will truly be missed. He was a great teacher and preacher.

 

He left a legacy for us in his son and Assistant Pastor Rev. John Johnson, who was installed as our Pastor on February 27, 2011

 

With the help of God and the leadership or our Pastor, Rev. John Johnson, we are continuing the
strive to keep Morning Star shining bright at 500 South Seventh Street. Avondale, Arizona.

God has blessed the church to continue in the name of Jesus. We have come this far by faith.