About Mt. Hermon Church

Reverend Elijah H. Young  (1943 – 1966)

After the death of Reverend Nelson, the church was without leadership, until May 18, 1943, when Reverend E. H. Young was called as the third pastor.  Reverend Young stated, “If I serve as your pastor, we will buy a place to worship”.  Thus, he and Sis. Georgia Young made the first payment to the purchase of the building at 2819 W. Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Blvd.) and the 20th Street Baptist Church was renamed the Mount Hermon Baptist Church

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Each member gave their best for the good of the church, and many things were added to the building as opportunities permitted.  Under the Pastorate of Reverend Young, the Senior Usher Board, Youth Council, the Brotherhood, Baptist Training Union and the Victoria Club in honor of Sis. Vicky was organized.

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Reverend Young was a dedicated servant for 23 years, when as a surprise to the membership, he passed to the great beyond on Sunday, August 29, 1966.

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Reverend E.A. Hollis  (1967 – 1968)

The church was without leadership after Reverend Young’s death until October, 1967 when Reverend E. A. Hollis was called and accepted as the fourth pastor of Mount Hermon.  He and his wife Sis. Gloria Hollis served until November, 1968.

Reverend Illinois Green  (1969 – 1987)

Once again, the church was without leadership, until Reverend Illinois Green accepted the call on April 27, 1969 as Mount Hermon’s fifth pastor.  When Reverend Green accepted the call to pastor the Mount Hermon Baptist Church, he observed that the facility was too small and in need of repairs.  There wasn’t much money in the building fund, but Reverend Green and the membership worked together, and as we all know, all good things come from God, and if we obey His commands, He has blessings we know not of.  On November 8, 1970 the Mount Hermon Baptist Church was renamed the Greater Mount Hermon Baptist Church with the dream of greater things to come

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In the year of 1971 the church moved to a new facility at 314 South 21st Street and God blessed us to be able to pay cash for the new facility.  Under the Pastorate of Reverend Green we could see God’s hand blessing the church (that He bought with His precious blood on Calvary), both spiritually and financially.  With God as the supervisor, Reverend Green directed the finances of the church.  He and his family gave unselfishly and taught us to tithe every Sunday.

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Reverend Green asked that the substantial donation given by the late Sis. Julia Bowman in memory of her husband, Deacon Robert Bowman, a dedicated faithful servant of Christ be included in the history of the church.  Under the leadership of Reverend Green, the Deacon Board was organized, the Brotherhood was re-organized the B.T.U. was renewed, the Buds of Promise was organized and the Youth Usher Board was re-organized.

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Reverend Green had a vision of an even larger facility with off street parking and a dining area.  In February 1977 the church moved from 21st Street to 2719 Lytle Street.  God blessed us to pay off the $55,000.00 indebtness in just three years and ten months with a substantial savings and checking account left intact.  A man led by God, Reverend Green taught us to be obedient to the will of God, and as a result we were blessed.

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Until the time of his retirement in July, 1987, due to poor health, Reverend Green was a dedicated servant of Christ with a commitment like no other to this church membership.  Many souls were edified as a result of his teaching the word, his love and understanding.  His wife Azzie Green worked by his side teaching the young children and tending to the needs of the elderly of the church.  She was proven to the church as a friend.  Reverend Green went to his eternal resting place December 1, 1987.