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                                                                           RITCHIE BAPTIST CHURCH

                                                                                          CHURCH HISTORY

 

On Wednesday, August 3, 1966, at 2:00p.m., representatives of the Forestville Baptist Church, the Upper Marlboro Baptist Church, the Parkway Baptist Church, and the D.C. Baptist Convention met to conduct a meeting on the need for a Baptist Church in the Ritchie-North Hampton area. Those present were Rev. Richard J. Sweetman, Pastor, and Rev. William E. Nash, Associate Pastor of the Forestville Church; Rev. Joseph Stover, Pastor of the Upper Marlboro Baptist Church and James Cunningham, a layman of Upper Marlboro Church; Rev. Walter G. Gummelt, Pastor of the Parkway Church, Jim Swann and Donald MacDaniel, laymen of Parkway Church; and Dr. William J. Crowder, Director of Missions and Evangelism Programs of the D.C. Baptist Convention. Rev. Richard J. Sweetman presided over the meeting. In that meeting it was decided that there was such a need and that the Rev. William E. Nash would be the pastor and Mr. Cunningham of Upper Marlboro would be the associate.

 

The first prayer meeting was held the first week in October 1966 in the home of Donald MacDaniel. The first Sunday School class and morning worship were held on November 2, 1966, with 18 members present and an offering of $60.00. This marked the birth of the Ritchie Baptist Chapel.

In January 1967, Mr. Cunningham became pastor due to Rev. Nash's failing health. In February of 1967, the Chapel purchased the present property on which the church now stands. The new building was occupied in April of that same year. Rev. Cunningham resigned as pastor in April 1969. The Chapel called Rev. Joseph Stover as interim pastor. He served until Rev. Julian R. Mills became pastor in February 1970. Under Rev. Mills’ leadership, the church grew to 207 members. October 31, 1971, the Ritchie Baptist Chapel became the Ritchie Baptist Church, fulfilling the dreams of its organizers.

 

Over the years the church has undergone a number of changes in appearance and size. In 1971 the area now used as the dining room was added. Also, in 1974 the steeple was donated to the church by J. Walter Thompson Advertising Agency of New York, and the vestibule was added on the front of the church in 1975 to accommodate it. The pews upon which we now sit were also added.

 

In April 1991 Rev. Jasper Chamberlain was installed as Pastor of Ritchie Baptist Church. Under his leadership and by the Grace of God, we continued to add to the body of Christ. He initiated new member classes and Pastor's Classes which were held on Monday's nights, where one can ask the pastor questions. He also organized the Senior Choir, the Singing Angels Chorus, J. C. Spiritual, and the Usher Board. In 1994, the church added an additional restroom, new speakers and mics in the sanctuary, a water fountain, and hot running water.  In the same year, the church was painted on the inside and outside, and the members purchased a church van. The parsonage was also renovated and a new sign was mounted on the north side of the church. In 1997, the Kitchenette was added. God blessed Pastor Chamberlain to ordain five Deacons: Bro. Ricky A. Battle, October 6, 1993; Bro. Quinton F. Jones, August 7, 1994; Bro. Vandelibn Taylor, April 28, 1996; and Bro. Robert Johnson and Bro. Terrence Hall on November 5, 2000. Installed later were Bro. Thomas Brown, August 7, 1994; and Licensed Minister, Deacon Sidney W. Samuel on August 10, 1996. Minister Sidney W. Samuel was ordained on April 25, 1998. Pastor Jasper Chamberlain retired on December 10, 2003, and Rev. Sidney Samuel became our interim pastor. Rev. Samuel was installed on March 7, 2004, as the ninth Pastor of the Ritchie Baptist Church. Under his leadership the Women's Ministry was revived, and all weekly services (Pastor's Class and Bible Study and Prayer Meeting) were moved to Wednesday Night (April 2004). In 2005, improvements were made to the exterior and interior of the church. Furthermore, in 2006, a new paved parking area was completed, and a new sound system was installed. In 2007, the church saw a need to purchase a van to bring members who were without transportation to the church to hear the Gospel. Brother Lance Johnson was appointed over this Ministry. Moreover, Deaconess Alberta Chamberlain was appointed Chairperson of the Usher Board Ministry and the Deaconess Ministry. Sister Greta Samuel was licensed to minister the Gospel on July 2, 2012. On October 18, 2010, Reverend Sidney W. Samuel stepped down as pastor of Ritchie Baptist Church. The church was without a pastor from October 18, 2010, through January 7, 2012. However, the members did not stop serving the Lord. Each Sunday Morning Worship Service, different preachers came to bring forth the Word of God. In 2012, the members voted to elect a new pastor. The members elected Reverend Sterling Swann as the new Pastor of the Ritchie Baptist Church. Reverend Swann preached his first sermon at Ritchie as the Pastor-Elect on Sunday, February 5th.  His text was Joshua 1:1-9, and the message was titled, “It’s a New Day!” Reverend Swann stated to the members of Ritchie that he wanted to focus on three areas of ministry in 2012: Evangelism and outreach, Christian Education, and the Youth ministry.  He is actively pursuing the vision and plan that the Lord has shown him. Reverend Swann was installed as Pastor of the Ritchie Baptist Church on Sunday, July 1st, 2012 at the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. Carl V. Messiah, Sr. is Pastor.  Since being elected as Pastor, Pastor Swann has restructured the midweek Prayer, Praise, and Bible Study to include services at mid-day and evening, which has allowed the attendance to increase dramatically.  Four ministers currently serve on the ministerial staff; Rev. Ricky Harris, Rev. Linda Harris, Rev. Edward Capers, and Rev. Jasper Chamberlain, Pastor Emeritus, who returned to the Ritchie Baptist Church early in 2013. In addition, three Deacons have been added to the Deacon’s Ministry, three Deaconess have been added to the Deaconess Ministry, and three Trustees have been added to the Trustees’ Ministry.  Youth Lock-in has been held in 2013, 2014, 2015 prior to youth going back to school.  The Potomac River Baptist Association has held various sessions and congresses at Ritchie, new plush carpet was installed in the sanctuary and fellowship area, new chairs were purchased for the dining area, the Sunday School has been restructured to include classes for all ages, Officers, teacher’s, and membership seminars have been conducted to strengthen the congregation, a luxurious 22 passenger bus was purchased for the church’s transportation needs, Vacation Bible School has been held since July 2013 with great success, the Potomac River Bible Institute officially opened in the Ritchie Baptist Church Christian Education Center on Saturday, April 26, 2014, the SSJ Liturgical Dance Ministry was organized, the church partnered with the SHARE Food Network to provide food to those in need in the congregation and community.  (Rev) Dr. Sterling R. Swann stepped down as on January 31, 2020. 

During a business meeting on January 13th 2020, the members of Ritchie voted to make (Rev) Edward Capers, Jr., Interim Pastor.   The word of God said "I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding" Jeremiah 3:15

The Ritchie Baptist Church continues to thank God for His tremendous blessings and are anxiously awaiting the good things the Lord has in store for Ritchie and the community as they continue to live up to their motto:

“The Ritchie Baptist Church; the church where love is taught and demonstrated!”