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In October 1930, a small group of Christians who came out of
Fairfax Baptist Church began laying the groundwork for what was later to become West Side
Missionary Baptist Church.
The Group began holding house-to-house prayer meetings on Sunday
afternoons. They held their first meeting in the home of Brother and Sister Jesse
Holloway. Attendance at prayer meetings increased and homes became too small. The prayer
group moved their meetings to a storefront at 4373 Finney Avenue. They rented the building
and held their first service November 11, 1930.
The name selected for this group was "Christian Mission
Band." The Rev. G. W. Halliburton was in charge of the mission. On February 6, 1931,
the Antioch District Association, under the direction of William H. Harris, Sr., moderator
and pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, organized the Christian Mission Band into a Church.
Robert J. A. Campbell suggested the name West Side Missionary Baptist Church.
Rev. Joe E. Crummie
On October 16, 1931, West Side Missionary Baptist Church called
its first pastor, the Reverend Joe E. Crummie. Under his pastorate, a ground breaking
service was held at 3966 Fairfax, June 1935. West Side held the first worship service in
the new edifice Sunday, December 15, 1935. It was during Reverend Crummie's pastorate that
the church again sought a place of worship. The building at 1314 Marcus Avenue, formerly a
Pentecostal Church, was purchased. They marched to the newly acquired Church building on
the first Sunday in September 1946.
After nearly sixteen years of service to West Side Missionary
Baptist Church the Reverend Joe E. Crummie passed, March 26, 1947. He left a thriving
membership of 1,100.
Reverend Victor Hugo Wells
 Reverend Victor Hugo Wells accepted the call to serve as the second
pastor of West Side on the first Sunday of September 1947. Reverend Wells' progressive
leadership skills were witnessed by members during the twenty-two years he served as
pastor. He showed continued concern and support for the programs of all auxiliaries and
departments in the Church.
A highlight of those years was a dynamic youth fellowship that
developed many young people into strong and able church and  community leaders. The
youth fellowship traveled throughout the nation and was an inspiring example to other
churches. Another highlight was the purchase of educational and recreational facilities.
During Reverend Wells' Pastorate, West Side became recognized as a leader in National
Baptist life and participated in the work of the Baptist World Alliance. Reverend Well's
service as Pastor of West Side ended after 23 years.
Reverend Moses Javis.
The Reverend William Montgomery served as Interim Minister from
November 1, 1970, until the calling of West Side's third pastor The Reverend Moses
Javis.
Reverend Javis accepted the pastorate of West Side Missionary
Baptist Church on Sunday, March 21, 1971. Under Reverend Javis' leadership a master
building program was carried out. Phase I of the building program unfolded over five
years, beginning in 1972. It included the renovation of the Church Sanctuary and women's
lounge. In phase II of the building program, ground breaking ceremonies were held for a
new education building, Sunday, June 4, 1978.
On May 27, 1979, the new education building was dedicated as the
J. E. Crummie Building. The following ministries were established and housed in the new
building: Howard E. Thurman Institute of Christian Education, West Side Day Care Center,
West Side Music Academy, and West Side Christian Academy.
Reverend Moses Javis also led in the implementation of a Federal
Credit Union, Annual Church School Institutes, a new member's orientation class, a new
budgeting system, a scholarship trust fund commission and the addition of the first women
trustees.
Sunday, August 18, 1985, The Reverend Moses Javis submitted his
letter of resignation as pastor and leader of the West Side Missionary Baptist Church.
The Reverend Mickey R. Hassler became Interim Minister of West
Side on October 17, 1985. He served in this position until May 31, 1986.
The Reverend Ronald Leon Bobo, Sr., D. Min.
On May 4, 1986, The Reverend Ronald Leon Bobo, Sr. delivered the morning sermon and accepted the call to serve as the fourth pastor. Under the leadership of Reverend Bobo, a dedicated man of God, the West Side Family has been a part of many accomplishments. An unprecedented number of individuals have accepted their call to preach the gospel and the church witnessed its first ordination of women into the Gospel ministry. In addition, educational and community outreach ministries have expanded.
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The Howard Thurman Institute continues to grow and flourish, Sunday Morning Bible study enrollment has grown to more than 1,400 students, Stephen Ministry Training is conducted on a regular basis, and Great Things Inc., West Side’s own community development corporation was launched to serve as a vehicle for better serving the needs of the community. Currently, the church has approximately 2000 active members.
West Side’s rich history is filled with many evangelistic efforts, especially under the Pastorate of Rev. Bobo. In 1989, he spent three weeks in Africa on a soul-saving evangelistic mission as part of the Foreign Mission Team of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. In 1990, he served as the International Programs Chairman for the youth department of the Baptist World Alliance and in 1993 was elected president of the youth department for this organization. As a result of these international endeavors and exposures, the Lord gave Pastor Bobo the mission to “Share the Hope of Jesus Christ in a Hopeless World”. As a result, the vision of West Side became:
“To be an authentic biblically functioning fellowship taking the city and touching the world through innovative, creative people building ministries.”
On July 30, 1998, West Side closed on the purchase of the old Target building at 2677 Dunn Road. In 2004 West Side celebrated the official opening of the Dunn Road campus.
The building serves as the location for two Sunday worship services and midweek Bible study. Several phases of renovations are being planned to best utilize this expansive facility.
In 2002, West Side was blessed to have its first Foreign Missionary. Reverend Constance Watkins answered her call to be a missionary in Africa. She has spent time in Swaziland working in an AIDS health service using both her nursing skills and her ministry skills to serve the people of the country. She is currently on mission in Malawi, using her skills to lead a project to rebuild and restructure an OB/GYN hospital to provide better care for the people in that region.
Pastor Bobo has also emphasized the importance of youth becoming involved in mission. The youth of West Side have taken several Mission trips to impoverished areas to minister to the needs of the area. They have traveled to Rosebud, South Dakota; Rand, West Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains; Juarez, Mexico in 2005 and 2006; and most recently to an Indian Reservation in Pawhuska, Oklahoma and to the Louisiana gulf region effected by Hurricane Katrina all in 2008. Our youth, often being the only African-American church involved with mission work through Youth Works, have touched lives by building houses, painting and repairing houses, and studying with children. Through this experience, several youth have stated that they have a call to mission work.
Other major outreach activities include conducting an Easter Service at Powell Symphony Hall for 2 years, a worship service at the Black Expo for 2 years, hosting the Power Team and the Strength Team to appeal especially to unchurched/unsaved youth and young adults, street evangelism, Backyard Bible Clubs, and yearly youth revivals.
West Side shows love to God and to our neighbors through worship of God and ministry to our neighbors. “In His Image”, a feeding ministry born in April 2007, provides a nutritious, home cooked dinner three times a week to 100-140 people, with a majority of them being children.
Using the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19, 20 and Acts 1:8, as an anchor for evangelism and discipleship, as well as the Great Commandments found in Mark 12:29-31, the church has more recently embarked on a 4 pronged initiative to take the city and touch the world for God. It includes reaching:
Jerusalem: a five block radius around the Page campus, sharing the good news of Christ and meeting practical needs
Judea: Advocating health care for the poor through health rallies, a trip to Jefferson City to speak to legislators, and prayer events
Samaria: Providing material and spiritual relief to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in the Louisiana Gulf area
The Uttermost Parts of the World: Ministering to Liberia and Swaziland, based on the Word of God
In August 2008, Pastor Bobo challenged and encouraged the entire West Side body to Take the City for God at the Bi-Annual Church Wide Retreat with the theme of “Yes We Can”. In unity, we sought God, studied, and prayed for the strength to carry out this mission. Our scripture focus for that weekend, found in Philippians 4:13, lets us know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. So as we stand on the word of God, we will press on to accomplish the task that He has set before us.
The West Side Family reflects on its rich history with pride. As West Side Missionary Baptist Church looks to the future, may we look to Christ in faith and seek to glorify God Our Father as we take this city in His name.
    
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