A Brief History of Immanuel

   The first meeting of Immanuel Baptist Church was on Mother's Day, Sunday May 14, 1933, at the home of Mr. & Mrs. O. R. Siler. At first the group was know as the Hilltop Baptist Mission, but Immanuel Baptist Church was officially organized on July 12, 1933 with 62 charter members. John Vincent, who was a charter member, served as Immanuelıs first pastor. He ministered from October 4, 1933 until 1938, first on a part time basis, and then later full-time.
    In January of 1939 the church voted to join the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. The church agreed with the position of this new association of Baptist churches and counted it a privilege to be in fellowship with it.
    At first the church met in the John Burroughs school at Sullivant and Richardson Avenues, but on October 1, 1933 Immanuel began meeting in a renovated store room at 2092 Sullivant Avenue. In September of 1939 the congregation moved to its new church building at 286 Belvidere Ave. When this building was sold in 1958, the church met in the Westgate Elementary School for eight months before moving into the basement of its partially completed building at 3417 Palmetto St. The present auditorium was completed in 1959 and dedicated in March of that year. The three-story educational building was dedicated on May 10, 1964.
    After having 8 pastors over a period of 35 years, Immanuel called Pastor William Abernathy Sr. as its pastor in December 1968. Pastor Abernathy served as Senior Pastor until July of 1990 when he became Pastor Emeritus. Pastor Abernathy's son, Pastor Bill, came to Immanuel as assistant pastor in December of 1983. When Pastor Abernathy, Sr. stepped down, the church asked Pastor Bill to serve as interim pastor while they and he considered what God's will might be. Pastor Bill candidated in early 1991 and was called as Immanuel's new Senior Pastor in February of that year.
    Pastor Rick Hanna joined Immanuelıs staff as Assistant Pastor of Worship and Discipleship in June of 2002.