Rev. John W. Taylor

 

Rev. John W. Taylor, the first Pastor and Founder of Beautiful Plain Baptist Church, was a Coal Miner from Quinter, Alabama.  He migrated to Corning, New York in 1919 where he worked as a Custodian at the Corning Glass Company.  Eventually, Rev. Taylor left the Corning Glass Company in favor of having his own cleaning and pressing business.

 

One day, being lead by the Spirit, Rev. Taylor sold his business and went to the train station.  He showed the Ticket Agent a certain amount of money and asked how far it would take him.  The unknown destination turned out to be Binghamton, New York.

 

When Rev. Taylor arrived in Binghamton, he learned that there was no Baptist Church for Black people.  He was advised, however, to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Johnson.  The Johnsons were religious people from Virginia.

 

The Beautiful Plain Baptist Church was organized in Binghamton, New York on November 20, 1923 at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Johnson, on the fifth floor of the Phelps Bank Building.  The church grew very rapidly.  Beautiful Plain Baptist Church made its first move to 23 Tudor Street and then to 8 Varick Street.  On January 14, 1924, the church was completely setup as an organized body.  It was unanimously voted that Rev. John W. Taylor become the first Pastor.  Rev. Taylor served as Pastor from 1924 until 1954.

 

Beautiful Plain Baptist Church was admitted to the Broome-Tioga Association in September of 1924.  Later that same year, the Church became a part of the New York State Baptist Convention.  We accepted that neither body would be financially responsible for the Church’s existence.

 

On November 6, 1924, the Church was incorporated and named Beautiful Plain Baptist Church.  Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Johnson selected the Church’s name.

 

On August 6, 1925, Rev. Taylor negotiated a contract with Mr. and Mrs. Anderson for property at 49 Pine Street.

 

Rev. George Brown

 

Rev. George Brown was called as the second Pastor of Beautiful Plain Baptist Church in 1954.  Rev. Brown served faithfully until his death in 1970.

 

Rev. William J. Campbell

 

In September of 1970, Rev. William J. Campbell was called to serve as the third Pastor of Beautiful Plain Baptist Church, and served until 1982.  Under the leadership of Rev. Campbell, the Church acquired new premises at 93 Riverside Drive on August 15, 1975.  This was a historical move, packed with many emotions.  Many have said that our occupancy of the new facility was like “crossing the Jordan”.

 

Rev. Clarence Washington, Jr.

 

Our Church called Rev. Clarence Washington, Jr. in June of 1983 to be our Pastor.  Rev. Washington served as Pastor until November 1986.  Under the leadership of Rev. Washington, Beautiful Plain took an expanded role within the operation of the American Baptist Association at both the local and state levels.  During Rev. Washington’s tenure, the Baptist Youth Fellowship (BYF) and Young Adult Christian Fellowship Ministries were established.

 

Rev. James Ivy, Sr.

 

In March of the year 1990, Rev. James Ivy, Sr. answered the call to serve as the fifth Pastor at Beautiful Plain Baptist Church.  During Rev. Ivy’s tenure, the Church became affiliated with the National Baptist Convention.  Under Rev. Ivy’s leadership, the Church committed to a Missions Program funded at ten percent of the Church’s budget.  Rev. Ivy served until November 1992.

 

Rev. Dr. Phillip K. James

 

Rev. Dr. Phillip K. James began serving the Beautiful Plain Baptist Church

Family in December of 1993.  A number of new ministries were begun under the leadership of Dr. James.  Rev. Dr. James served until January of 1998.

 

Rev. Edward O. Williamson

 

Rev. Edward O. Williamson’s service as Pastor of Beautiful Plain Baptist Church began in August of 1999 and continued until June of 2004.

 

Rev. Gregory Johnson

 

In September of 2005, the Rev. Greg Johnson became the eighth Pastor of Beautiful Plain Baptist Church.  Rev. Johnson and his wife, Mrs. Stephanie Eatton-Johnson, came to Beautiful Plain from Norfolk, Virginia. 

Pastoral History of Beautiful Plain Baptist Church