Southern Missionary Baptist Church

Church History

In 1960 a group of people met at 833 South State Street to have worship service. At this time the church was named Morning Star Baptist Church. Eventually Deacon Monroe Holloway made a motion that the church be called Southern Missionary Baptist Church. This motion was second by Deacon Bennett Hudson and the motion was carried. In March of 1960, the Reverend W.C. Huffman became the first Pastor of SMBC.

Under Reverend Huffman's God-inspired leadership, the flock continued to grow. With more space becoming a necessity, the site previously used by Key Bank at 1501 South Avenue was purchased. Faithful SMBC members did most of the renovations. Reverend Huffman served as pastor until 1964, and the flock was temporarily led by Deacon Monroe Holloway.

In 1965 Reverend Louis C. Walker was elected Pastor. Reverend Walker introduced things such as: the true meaning of missionary, establishing committees, envelopes for the tithes and offerings, Sunday worship bulletins, and annual activity calendars. Again, concern for more adequate space became evident as the congregation grew. Ultimately land was obtained in 1976. Many long hours of planning ended with the presentation of a blueprint by Reverend Walker on June 30, 1978. On a cold November day in 1980, the members marched with a police escort to the present facility at 3143 Midland Avenue. Reverend Walker was a long term pastor

Our most recent Pastorship was under the leadership of Rev. Victor Wilson for 2 years and 9 months. Pastor Victor L. Wilson is a native of Wilmington, Delaware. He recently celebrated his First Anniversary as Pastor of Southern Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Wilson's ministry included being a pastor, teacher, counselor and revivalist. He was active in Syracuse and in the surrounding communities. He was especially dynamic in his office as Moderator of the Northeast Missionary Baptist Association.

Judge Carol Jones is the lovely wife of Rev. Wilson and together they have three wonderful chilren Herneen, Victoria and Anthony Wilson. He and his twin brother are the oldest of four children born to Betty and Marcus Hackett.

Pastor Wilson was ordained in 1988 by the Late Dr. W.J.English, Pastor of the First Holy Mt. Zion Baptist Church in California. Reverend Wilson previously served in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he pastored at Shiloh Baptist Church for ten years and at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church for five years. He also served as the Moderator for the New Hope District Association (1999 - 2003) and First Vice-President of the Mount Olive Baptist State Convention (1999 - 2007) while leading the flock of Shiloh Baptist Church in New Mexico.

Pastor Wilson attended Shaw University Divinity School in Raleigh, North Carolina where he received his Master's Degree. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from the Harbor City Bible College in Harbor City, California. He attained an Assoiciate's Degree from Cypress College School of Mortuary Science in Cypress, California.

Pastor Wilson loves people and has a heart for God's work. He believes that his work as a pastor is his highest calling and considers himself a child of the King. His favorite scripture is Lamentations 3:22-23, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Accordingly, Pastor Wilson yields himself to the work and the power of the Holy Spirit to always be abounding in the work of the Lord.

He recently resigned for health reasons. Rev. Wilson will be missed not only by SMBC but by all of the churches in Syracuse as well as the individuals whose hearts he's touched along the way.

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