The Purity Baptist Church was organized on February 27, 1947, in the home of Deacon and Mrs. Johns S. Jackson – 909 Ninth Street, N.E., having separated themselves from the fellowship of the Israel Baptist Church, plans for the new organization were put forth by Deacon Oscar Rhodes and an invitation was extended to Reverend Henry Gibbs Hockett to become pastor to this new body of Christ.

Fifteen persons were present at the first meeting, after which Deacon Rhodes invoked God’s guidance, the body adjourned and met again on March 3, 1947, in the Jackson’s home. At this meeting Reverend Hockett, former pastor of Israel accepted the call as pastor and 168 additional members were enrolled. Commissioned to assist him were the Rev. O. C. Bagby and Rev. Carroll Edwards. 

A non-member, but well-wisher, Deacon William Colvin offered a name for this group which we are called today – “Purity Baptist Church”. In the beginning they had no place to hold their services, but were those with big hearts. They had access to Peace Baptist Church and their facilities and a short them thereafter the Trinidad Church opened their doors and said, “Come and stay as long as you wish.”

In 1949, Purity moved to our first temporary shelter at 1325 Maryland Avenue, N.E. (lots 27 and 21). The original property consisted of two houses, a store and a warehouse (on the rear lot). Under the leadership of Pastor Hockett the Purity Baptist Church was able to institute a program of mission that caused her to stand tall among her sister churches. All of the elements of the institutional church were put into place and the gospel preached in its fullness. On Sunday, September 1, 1968, ground was broken for a new church. The Reverend R. L. Rollins of the Florida Avenue Baptist Church brought the message and on September 14, 1969, the current main sanctuary was dedicated.

In November 1974, after Hockett’s retirement, Reverend Dr. J. Terry Wingate accepted the invitation to return to Purity, his home church, and was installed as pastor in March 1975. Under Pastor Wingate’s leadership the Purity Baptist Church became a member of American Baptist Churches, USA and the American Baptist Churches of the South, Maryland District. We also liquidated the burned the mortgage in 1975 on the property and furnishing of the main church sanctuary. 

A new facility (the Urban Center was completed and furnished in 1983. This included the purchase of additional properties and the surfacing of the parking lot in the rear of the church. These facilities lent themselves to the creative ministry that Pastor Wingate and the Purity family has in our ongoing ministry of outreach. On March 18, 2007 we were blessed to have our second “Mortgage Burning” service.

After an extended illness, Pastor Wingate went home to be with the Lord in April 2001. Rev. Arie L. Mangrum, Jr., Pastor Emeritus of Peace Baptist Church was selected as Interim Pastor in August 2001 and served until December 2003.

"Empowerd by God to Reach; Upward, Inward and Outward"

Faith is the cornerstone of Purity Baptist Church and Urban Center. It is part of every activity that we do, every meeting that we hold. We believe in our Lord, and that our actions are a reflection of his goodness.