Dr. Alvin J. Gwynn, Jr.

On Sunday, May 18, 2008, Reverend Alvin J. Gwynn, Jr. was installed as the 10th pastor of Leadenhall Baptist Church.

In 2006, Reverend Gwynn received a Master of Divinity degree from Howard University School of Divinity, and in May 2010, he received a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. He has been actively preaching throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan area and served as a Bible Study instructor at Leadenhall and Friendship Baptist Church.

He served as Associate Pastor at Friendship Baptist and at Leadenhall and worked under the leadership of the late Dr. Eddie R. Wilson, Jr. Under his leadership, Leadenhall’s ministry vision was birthed out of Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” As an outgrowth of his visions, Dr. Gwynn has developed and maintained a strong presence in the South Baltimore Community—leading outreach efforts that support

the health and human services needs of the less fortunate in the community. Among his many accomplishments are the construction of the Education Building that added several classrooms to the building, the installation of an elevator, the enhancement of many Christian Education initiatives, the establishment of the South Creek Community Development Corporation, and the construction of the Leadenhall Community Center.

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Dr. Eddie R. Wilson Jr.

On March 17, 1970, Dr. Wilson was called to pastor the Leadenhall Baptist Church. He immediately began working to improve the operating budget to meet the needs of the programs of the church.

Dr. Wilson earned a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Virginia Seminary in Lynchburg under the former pastor of Leadenhall, Dr. M.C. Allen. Under Dr. Wilson’s leadership, the church was placed in the National

Register of Historic Places. The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Attached to the placement in the register are certain rights and protections that enable Leadenhall to remain in its original location. Leadenhall, at that time, was the third Maryland church to receive such an honor. He also served as Dean to the Virginia Seminary from 1980-1996. On November 27, 2006, Dr. Wilson transitioned to glory at the age of 75 after 36 years of service.

Dr. H. Hudson Bobbitt

After resigning as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lambert’s Point, in Norfolk, Virginia, Dr. Bobbitt answered the call to pastor Leadenhall Baptist Church. During his five-year tenure,

the church was able to pay for a new parsonage and liquidate the debt of the annex building. Dr. Bobbitt also restructured Sunday School and instituted a Christian Education program. He instituted an effective tithing system that is in operation today. Two building renovations, a modernized kitchen and

additional Sunday School rooms were constructed during his administration. Dr. Bobbitt resigned in 1968 to accept a call to pastor Salem Baptist Church in New Jersey.

Dr. Thomas B. Davis

On Sunday, November 21, 1948, the church called Dr. Thomas B. Davis as pastor. During his pastorate, the church experienced another period of rapid growth in membership. During Dr.

Davis’ administration, many of the organizations that exist today were established, i.e. The Sisterhood, The Brotherhood, Literary and Social Guild, and Courtesy Ministry. He helped organize Holy Week Services, which united churches of various denominations in the South Baltimore area. The church also added an annex to its existing building to meet the growing

needs of the church. Dr. Davis resigned in 1961 to continue his education at the University of Chicago.

Dr. Madison C. Allen

 After accepting the call to pastor Leadenhall in 1937, Dr. Allen continued in the path of his predecessor. He continued the much-needed renovations and established a church office fully equipped to perform the clerical work of a modern church. A system of recordkeeping was developed, and officers and clerks were trained for this work. The “Tattler” was published weekly giving the order of service, songs, and notices. During Dr. Allen’s administration, many clubs were created to keep the members

interested and active in several phases of the church. Dr. Allen resigned in 1947 to accept the Presidency of Virginia Seminary and College at Lynchburg.

Reverend Samuel H. James

In 1928, upon the recommendation of Dr. Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. Pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, Reverend Samuel James became the new pastor. Young and ambitious, he saw Leadenhall as a great institutional church serving the needs of the people in a neglected section of Baltimore. Under his pastorate, the church made much-needed renovations to include a new baptismal pool, heating plant, a new roof, and an organ. There were plans for a recreation center, but the plans were halted by the Great Depression. After seven years of service,

Reverend James resigned to continue his education in Topeka, Kansas. His farewell sermon was “Have a Vision of God and Not a Glance.”

Reverend Robert W. Jefferson

As Reverend Brown aged and became unable to perform his duties as pastor, the church called Reverend Jefferson, and Reverend Brown became Pastor Emeritus. Reverend Jefferson was a former military Chaplain and came to the church at the close of World War I. During his pastorate, the church building and the land were secured as assets owned by the church. He also introduced the triplex envelope system for offering. Reverend Jefferson served until his untimely death.

Reverend Ananias Brown

In 1875, the Maryland Baptist Union Association secured Reverend Ananias Brown, formally pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church of Newport, Rhode Island. Reverend Brown received training at the Wayland Seminary in Washington, D.C. Under his pastorate, the church grew to one of the largest and most influential “Negro Baptist Churches” in Baltimore. Reverend Brown was widely respected and well known as a community activist. For many years, he

published a paper known as The Baptist Messenger. Reverend Brown served as treasurer for The Brotherhood of Liberty, an organization that fought for the rights of Blacks. He was also chosen among his peers to represent the Baptists on an executive committee for the Ministers of Baltimore Union, which consisted of representation from all denominations. Reverend Brown was also elected treasurer of the Baptist Orphanage and he oversaw various projects to fight for human rights.

Reverend J. C. Allen

While serving as pastor of First Baptist Church in East Baltimore, Reverend Allen was appointed to also pastor Leadenhall Baptist Church. During his tenure, some members of Providence Mission joined Leadenhall. However, after serving for a short while, Reverend Allen found that fulfilling the two assignments simultaneously was a task too great for him to carry on.

Reverend Thomas Henson

Little is known about Reverend Henson other than that he was appointed pastor and missionary on the field of South Baltimore. He served as pastor for one year.