The History of Wayland Baptist Church

In 1908, after the death of their pastor at the Israel Baptist church, some members left the church and began holding prayer sessions. Led by Deacon Robert Thrower, this group of believers established Wayland Baptist Church which was incorporated in the State of Maryland on March 19, 1910. Reverend Willis J. Winston became our first pastor and held that position until 1943. In 1912, we moved to our first church home located at 1200 E. Lexington Street. In 1920, we moved to our second church home located at Broadway and Jefferson Streets. In 1943, Reverend Elijah H. Reynolds became our second pastor until his death in 1946.

On January 5, 1947, Reverend William W. Payne became the third pastor. Because of the many blessings from the Lord, we moved to our third church home at Monroe and Franklin Streets on July 16, 1952. As the congregation grew to over 2,000 members, it became evident that a larger church was needed. On March 6, 1966, a police escorted motorcade of over 3,000 worshippers motored to our current church home located at 3200 Garrison Boulevard. In 1970, Reverend Payne resigned as pastor of Wayland to fulfill a personal goal to minister to the lost.

In 1971, Reverend Darneal F. Johnson Jr. became our fourth pastor. Under Pastor Johnson, Wayland burned its mortgage. In 1989 Reverend Johnson submitted his resignation. After a lengthy search, Reverend Dr. Hoffman Fisher Brown III became our fifth pastor in 1991.