History of the Washington Seventh Day Baptist

(A brief Pastoral history)

For more than 55 years The Washington Seventh Day Baptist Church has been bearing the light of the Jesus Christ in the nation’s capital. With disciples who are committed to the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom, we will be around until His imminent return.

We extend a debt of thanks to all our laborers: Pastors, Assistant/Associate Pastors, Deacons, Trustees, members, teachers, friends and associates. Their faithfulness has kept us to this date, and we pray that those who are here will take us to the next.

Here is a quick look at our Pastors:

Harold E. Snide, Oct. 13, 1945 to Sept. 13, 1947 – founding pastor.  Pastor Snide was leading an independent group of Sabbath-keep before stumbling into the Seventh Day Baptist denomination. Services were held in the Mount Vernon Place Methodist Church 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC.

W. Allen Bond, Jan. 12, 1948 to June 15, 1950 – Since Bond became pastor the church began to make progress. Advertising in the newspapers and on the radio and with an active “evangelistic” mode. Beginning the first Sabbath in November (Nov. 1st, 1948) the church moved to a larger and nicer meeting place (2600 16th Street NW.

Lee Holloway, Oct. 1, 1950 to Dec. 5, 1953 – Pastor Lee Holloway, a native in St. Louis, MO was called as pastor. He was an educator, thus pursued higher education. He was a graduate of Washington Missionary College, and had done extensive graduate work at both George Washington University and American University.  

Elizabeth F. Randolph, Aug. 1954 to 1962 – The first and only woman pastor of the church. She requested information on SDB’ers who were living in the Washington – Baltimore area. She played a key roll in merging the “white” and “colored” (SDB) churches.  

1962-1964 ?

John Conrod & Ed Sutton, 1964 to Sept. 1, 1966 – served as student pastor on alternate weekends while in seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania. Pastor Ed and his parents were members of the church. The church was in the process of formulating “The Washington Pilot Project”, sponsor by the Southeastern Association.

Delmer Van Horn, Sept. 1, 1966 to Aug. 1, 1973 – In an article forwarded to the Sabbath Recorder, on purchasing the property at 4700 16th Street NW, Pastor Van Horn speaking on behalf of the church writes, “We wish to praise our gracious Heavenly Father for making this opportunity available to us, that we might have a greater witness in the Washington, D.C., area. We solicit your prayers that we may be sensitive to Divine guidance, and that God will continue to lay it on the hearts of a sufficient number of people that this purchase may be consummated.”

John P. Pettway, Sr., Feb. 11, 1974 to Aug. 24, 1975 – When Pastor Van Horn resigned John Pettway served as Interim Pastor for six months, then elected Pastor on February 11, 1974. The church sponsored after-school Math. He lived directly opposite the church at 4705 16th Street.

 Leland E. Davis, Nov. 1, 1976 to Jan. 28, 1986 – The radio ministry “Word of Truth” aired every Sabbath morning at 10:15 on WFAX 1220 on the am dial. Through this ministry the church grew numerically and spiritually.

October 29, 1978, was a dream come true: Pastor & Mrs. Ernest K. Bee, Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Pratt J. “Jim” Croniger, Mr. & Mrs. Earl “Butch” Hibbard and Mrs. Alfred C. Lacey were commissioned to begin a new Seventh Day Baptist Church in Central Prince George’s County Maryland.

Michael L. Burns – Summer of 1987 – ? Pastor Mike loves God and is committed to His Sabbath day of rest. He believed it was imperative that every person has an opportunity to receive Christ, so much of his preaching and teaching was geared towards salvation.

William “Bill” Shobe – Oct.1, 1990 – Jan. 31, 1997 – Pastor Bill is a gifted man of God and is most noted for his teaching ability. He has a way of keeping the attentive of his audience. He was well informed with various events in the city and was deeply involved with various praying organizations dealing with “spiritual mapping” in the city.

Paul R. Andries – Jan. 1, 1999- present – A long time son of the church. The needs of the people are so great and the only way for those needs to be met is in a deeper personal relationship with Christ. I pray that we are “Connected With Christ!”

The faithfulness of the word of God surely will stand forever. Years ago a banner hung in the sanctuary read, “Only one life will soon past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” The product of our lives will be reflective in what we have imprinted in eternity with Christ.

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