Mount Vernon Baptist Church carries a remarkable legacy stretching back to 1915. Its history is one of faith, courage, movement, sacrifice, and endurance.

The roots of the church begin with Mother Sallie Griffin, Brother Ed Tucker, and Sister Melinda Kearse, three former members of Mount Carmel Baptist Church who began meeting each Wednesday night in the home of Mother Sallie Griffin with a determination to serve the Lord. At the same time, Reverend E. D. Florence was conducting night services in a tent in his backyard. These two streams of faith came together in April 1915 when the church was officially organized at 55 Markham Street with Reverend Florence as the official pastor. The name Mount Vernon Baptist Church was given by Reverend Florence’s mother in law.

Within two years, the little storefront church had outgrown its space. In 1918, the church purchased a beautiful new sanctuary at the corner of Mangum and Hunter Streets valued at fifty thousand dollars. Under Reverend Florence’s leadership, Mount Vernon grew in strength and visibility.

The church continued to advance under successive pastors. Reverend W. G. Bivins saw growth in the Women’s Ministry, the first Women’s Day program, Youth Harvest Day, and a dramatic rise in Sunday School attendance and membership. Reverend E. M. Johnson led the church to host the General Baptist Convention in 1946, establish a church library, and increase membership from one thousand to two thousand.

In the 1950s, Mount Vernon faced one of its greatest transitions when it was forced to relocate because of the West By Pass project. In 1960, with only twenty four hours notice, the congregation left its beloved church home and temporarily worshiped with Saint Stephens Baptist Church until May 1963. This period reflected both the pain of displacement and the strength of faith and fellowship.

Groundbreaking for the new sanctuary took place in May 1961. In May 1963, Mount Vernon returned home in a triumphant march to the new edifice. Reverend Cameron Alexander preached the entrance day sermon, and the congregation entered with gratitude, celebration, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Under Reverend S. A. Baker, the church saw major spiritual and educational development, including revitalized ministry structures, a nursery and kindergarten, the Mount Vernon Baptist Academy, and the payoff of the mortgage. Under Reverend Willie James Lawson, Sr., Mount Vernon experienced physical revitalization, sanctuary and office renovations, installation of an elevator, improvement of the annex and fellowship hall, and added educational and fellowship initiatives. Under Reverend William J. Perkins, the church instituted leadership training, developed a formal mission and vision, created a church newsletter, and strengthened church community partnerships.

When Reverend Dr. Rodney K. Turner accepted the call as the ninth pastor in August 2003, Mount Vernon entered a new season. Under his leadership, more than nineteen new ministries were implemented, the Mother Board Ministry was reinstated, Christian education and outreach were emphasized, and the church expanded its mission through the Mount Vernon Outreach Ministry.

After the decision was made to build the new Atlanta Falcons stadium south of the Northside Drive MARTA Station, Mount Vernon entered another major season of transition. The sale of the 441 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive property was finalized in 2013. During the transition, the church worshiped temporarily at Carver Bible College from March 2013 through March 15, 2015.

The Lord then led Mount Vernon to purchase the former Zion Hill Baptist Church property at 815 Lynhurst Drive SW. Under Pastor Turner’s leadership, the Deacon and Trustee Boards spearheaded the purchase and a full renovation project across the entire campus. Renovations included new electrical, mechanical, and musical equipment, office furniture, computers, a state of the art youth department with a theatre room, dance room, and arts and crafts room, a multi purpose room for Sunday School classes, a redesigned fellowship hall, a chapel featuring pulpit furniture and pews from the former location, and a modern library housing historical documents and artifacts. The church also expanded its transportation ministry with three vans and a twenty five passenger bus.

On March 29, 2015, Mount Vernon held its ribbon cutting ceremony and entrance service at 815 Lynhurst Drive SW. The church’s history is therefore not merely a story of survival. It is a testimony of God’s faithfulness across generations.

As the church continues forward, it remains stronger than ever, honoring its past while embracing its future. Mount Vernon’s legacy is living, breathing, and still being written.