About Us

The Ohio Baptist General Convention, Incorporated as we are known today began as the Ohio Baptist State Convention (Colored) in 1896. There were three Associations that formed earlier, namely, Providence in 1834; Eastern in 1872 and Western also, in 1872. Each Association formed as an Anti-Slavery Missionary Baptist Association after the Negro ministers were expelled from the Teays Valley Association. In 1893 the Eastern Union Association voted to devise plans for a state convention. In keeping with the resolution to organize a state convention on May 28-29, 1896 a meeting was held at the Curry School in Mechanicsburg and the Ohio Baptist State Convention (colored) was born. The following officers were elected at this meeting: President: Dr. J.M. Riddle (Rendville); Vice President: P. Everett (Xenia); Secretary: J. H. Rickman (Jackson): Corresponding Secretary: Rev. Alex Moore (Cleveland): and Treasurer: Rev. William Balany (Jamestown) Twenty-six churches were represented at this organizational meeting. Also, at the Mechanicsburg meeting, the Women’s Baptist Education Society was organized with G.E. Curry of Delaware as President. By 1899 this organization had resolved itself into the Women’s Convention Auxiliary to the Ohio Baptist State Convention (colored).

Determined to survive without the financial backing of a few sympathetic whites the OBSC kept holding it course until the fog began to clear and the true goals for which the convention was formed came clearer. Rev. Riddle led the convention for twelve successful years.

In 1905 the Northern Baptist Association was organized. They sought to embrace all that the other associations had, to capture all the good that had been discovered, and to capitalize on the experience of the other three.

Dr. A.M. Thomas, the Pastor of the Union Baptist Church of Zanesville was elected president of this great body in 1908 until 1919. In 1915 the Northwestern Baptist Association of Ohio was organized and quickly joined the other four associations providing missionary work and education throughout Ohio.

A great crisis developed in OBSC during 1919. Dr. J. Franklin Walker, Pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church (Cincinnati) had the convention incorporated with himself as head. This was against the wished of the majority and without the authority of the body. The majority, unwilling to prosecute Dr. Walker reorganized the Ohio Baptist State Convention into the Ohio Baptist General Association (OBGA) with Dr. Benjamin Franklin McWilliams of Third Baptist Church, Toledo as president.

Dr. McWilliams led the convention successfully from 1919 to 1930. It was after the reorganization the OBGA •becomes the Ohio Baptist General Association, Incorporated
•selected it’s first Executive Secretary, Dr. Charles T. Isom (1919)
•started the Printing Press (1919)
•organized the State Sunday School Convention (1919)
•organized the BYPU (Baptist Young People’s Union) (1919)
•reorganized the Women’s Auxiliary (1919)
•printed the first Baptist Association Annual (1920)
•purchased it’s first Headquarters at 106 Lexington Avenue, Columbus (1921)
•organized the Laymen’s League (1921)
•Women’s Auxiliary organizes the Hattie Jackson Guild (1927)

Rev. Charles H. Crable, Pastor of Mt. Haven Baptist Church, Cleveland assumed the presidency of the OBGA from 1930 to 1956. During Rev. Crable’s tenure the OBGA:

•reorganized the Laymen’s League (1946)
•purchased present Headquarters at 48 Parkwood Avenue (1954)
•Women’s Auxiliary held it’s first Women’s Workshop (1955)

1956 to 1963 saw Rev. Wilbur A . Page the Pastor of Union Baptist Church, Cincinnati as president. Rev. Page kept the convention afloat by funding its many endeavors with his own funds. Also under Rev. Page the OBGA:

•establishes the Youth Rally under the Women’s Auxiliary (1959)
Rev. J. Welby Broaddus Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Dayton was president from 1963 to 1967.

Rev. James Wesley Parrish the Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church of Columbus became president in 1967 to 1971. Under Rev Parrish the OBGA:

•secured a capital improvement loan
•remodeled the Headquarters

Rev. Leon L. Troy the Pastor of Second Baptist Church, Warren served as president form 1971 to 1975. Under Rev. Troy the OBGA:

•Sunday School Convention and Baptist Training Union became the Congress of Christian Education (1972)
•placed the Youth Rally under the Congress of Christian Education (1972)
•established the Youth Mission Task Force (1972)
•expanded the Committee on Evangelism (1972)
•established a Banquet during the Annual Session (1972)
•established a State Mission Committee (1972)
•adopted the :”Unified Budget” (1972)
•organized the Young Davids under the Laymen’s Auxiliary (1972)
•dropped the word League from Laymen’s Auxiliary (1972)
•purchased Addressograph for Headquarters (1972)
•changed name to the Ohio Baptist General Convention & Auxiliaries (1975)

Rev. George W. Lucas the Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Dayton was president from 1975 to 1979. Under Rev. Lucas the OBGC:

•adopted a 4 year tenure policy for all auxiliaries (1976)
•established President’s Emergency Fund to pay off Headquarters mortgage (1976)
•rejected a $5,000.00 donation from Gubernatorial Candidate James Rhodes (1978)
•reorganized and renamed Youth Rally the James Wesley Parrish Youth Rally (1979)

Dr. E. Theophilus Caviness the Pastor of Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church, Cleveland was president from 1979 to 1983. Under Dr. Caviness the OBGC:
*established the Fund of Perpetuity (1983)

Dr. Charles W. Noble, Sr. the Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Newark became president in 1983 and served to 1987. During President Noble’s administration the OBGC:

•established the 1% budget (1984)
•established the Assistant Executive Secretary position (1984)
•acquired a 45 unit housing complex (1984)
•established 6 new departments (Economics, Education, Evangelism, Programs, Public Relations, Social Concerns) (1984)
•purchased first copy machine for Headquarters (1984)
•established the Greeting Card Company (1984)
•established Annual Adjourned Session (1985)
•established Late Night Services during Annual Session (1985)
•set in motion 200 years continuity (1985)
•received tax exempt status (1985)
•renamed Fund of Perpetuity the E.T. Caviness Fund of Perpetuity (1985)
•acquired 3 housing developments (The Hattie Jackson in Washington Court House, The J. J. Ashburn in Mt. Vernon, and the Helburn Meadows in Tiffin) (1985
•purchased first computer for Headquarters (1985)
•established a state logo (1985)
•combined State and Congress Annual Session (1985)
•changed Annual Session from October to August (1986)
•renamed Annual Banquet the Leon L. Troy Presidents Banquet (1986)

From 1987 to 1991, Rev. Samuel N. Winston, the Pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Dayton was president. During Rev. Winston’s tenure the OBGC:

•Youth Department reorganized (1987)
•established drive to register 50,000 voters (1987)
•changed Annual Session from August to July (1991)

Dr. John F. Cunningham, The Pastor of Mt. Enon Baptist Church, Dayton was president from 1991 to 1995. Under Dr. Cunningham the OBGC:

•purchased a high speed multifunction copier for headquarters (1992)
•granted auxiliary status to Youth Department (1992)
•reinstated the position of Assistant Executive Secretary (1992)
•purchased an answering machine for Headquarters (1993)
•purchased a FAX machine for Headquarters (1993)
•purchased an Ink Jet Printer for Headquarters (1994)
•acquired two adjacent properties, 32 and 40 Parkwood (1994)
•installed a security system in Headquarters (1995)

From 1995 to 1999, Dr. Donald J. Washington, The Pastor of Mt. Hermon Missionary Baptist Church, Columbus was president. Under Dr. Washington the OBGC:

•appointed a new Executive Secretary (1995)
•established color identification for the parent body and each auxiliary (1996)
•relocated Headquarters (1996)
•purchased a new computer equipment for Headquarters (1996)
•computerized checking and payroll system (1996)
•established 3 additional Vice Presidents for the Congress of Christian Education ( 1997)
•initiated a Constitution revision process (1998)
•established a Convention website, www.ohiobaptist.org (1999)


Dr. Charles S. Brown Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church Dayton, in 1999 and served to 2003. During President Brown’s administration the OBGC:

•paid all back taxes (2000)
•appointed a new Executive Secretary (2001)
•purchased new computer equipment for Headquarters (2002)
•leased a new copier for Headquarters (2002)
•updated postage meter machine (2002)
•updated and purchased new telephone system (2002)
•reinstated incorporation status (2002
•reactivated website (2002)
•installed internet service to Headquarters (2002)
•reestablished budget planning for all functions of the OBGC (2002)
•established the “Extra Mile” plan to pay off properties mortgages in five years (2002)

In 2003, Dr. Joseph L. Coleman Pastor of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, Dayton, became President. During President Coleman’s administration the OBGC:
•accept no funds for OBGC business travel in an effort to build the treasury his first year (2003)
•named the Extra Mile Program the Charles S. Brown Extra Mile Program (2003)
•established the Partnership Program (2003)
•cleaned up the Headquarters Building (2004)
•began renovations to Headquarters Building (2004)
•reestablished computerized checking and accounting practices (2004)
•reestablished one account banking system (2004)
•established a new voucher system (2004)
•installed heating system into Headquarters Building (2006)


On July 18, 2007, Rev. Stephen D. Sullivan, Sr. Pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church, Cleveland was elected President.

The Ohio Baptist General Convention has countless individuals who have contributed to its vast history. Time nor space can accommodate the endless roll call. Below, however, are the leaders of the Convention and its auxiliaries that have contributed to the solid foundation that we so fondly call the OBGC.

Executive Secretaries
Men Of Character – Worthy Of Your Trust

Charles Isom 1919 – 1943
Harrison O. Mason 1943 – 1961
Benjamin L. Brantley 1961 – 1962 (Interim)
Luther H. Johnson 1962 – 1969
Benjamin L Brantley 1969 – 1972
Vurn O. Mullins 1972 – 1974
A. Wilson Wood 1974 – 1995
Sylvester Walker 1995 – 2001
Joel L. King, Jr. 2001 –



Presidents
Heroes of Faith – Every One

J.M. Riddle 1896 – 1908
A.M. Thomas 1908 – 1919
Benjamin F. McWilliams 1919 – 1930
Charles H. Crable 1930 – 1956
Wilbur A. Page 1956 – 1963
J. Welby Broaddus 1963 – 1967
James Wesley Parrish 1967 – 1971
Leon L. Troy 1971 – 1975
George W. Lucas 1975 – 1979
E. Theophilus Caviness 1979 – 1983
Charles W. Noble, Sr. 1983 – 1987
Samuel N. Winston 1987 – 1991
John F. Cunningham 1991 – 1995
Donald J. Washington 1995 – 1999
Charles S. Brown 1999 – 2003
Joseph L. Coleman, Sr. 2003 – 2007
Stephen D. Sullivan, Sr. 2007 -


Women Auxiliary Presidents
Beautiful Heroines of the Faith

G.E. Curry 1896 – 1896
Anna E. Meek 1897 – 1898
Hattie E. Jackson 1898 – 1909
Sarah Johnson 1909 – 1919
Georgia Miller 1919 – 1927
Ednah L. Lewis 1927 – 1971
Lucile Pauley 1971 – 1979
Berniece Troy 1979 – 1983
Esther Burton 1983 – 1987
Joan C. Cousins 1987 – 1991
Allie W. Long 1991 – 1995
P. Marlene Wyatt 1995 – 1999
Bettye J. Speed 1999 – 2003
Rowena K. Smith 2003 – 2007
Mary J. Cotton 2007 -


Congress of Christian Education
Educators – Sharing Their Knowledge
(The combining of Sunday School Convention and Baptist Training Union in 1960)

William D. Mosley 1970 – 1979
Irece T. Bradley 1979 – 1983
Odell Waller 1983 – 1987
Joseph L. Coleman 1987 – 1991
Henry L. Johnson, III 1991 – 1995
John D. White 1995 – 1998
Elon Meeks 1998 – 2002
Donald P. Newsom 2002 – 2006
Oliver R. Williams 2006 -


Laymen Auxiliary
Strong Men Of God – Challenged and Proven
(Reorganization Session in October 1946)

Maurice Dugger 1946 – 1948
Helburn Meadows 1948 – 1956
Hycel B. Taylor, Sr. 1956 – 1958
Odie Smith 1958 – 1961
James Martin 1961 – 1968
Helburn Meadows 1968 – 1975
Henry Thompson 1975 – 1979
William C. Card 1979 – 1981
E. Anthony Preston 1981 – 1985
Henry Patterson 1985 – 1989
Warren Cousins 1989 – 1993
Henry J. Joseph, II 1993 – 1995
Wallace Wyatt 1995 – 1997
Clinton Yokley 1997 – 2001
Rodney Sanders 2001 – 2005
Bobby Payne 2005 –


Youth Auxiliary
Role Models – Willing To Serve

Dennis Brown 1984 – 1987 circa
Mark Taylor 1987 – 1991
Dawn Johnson 1991 – 1995
Jennifer Jordan 1995 – 1999
Jason Miles 1999 – 2003
Anthony Smith 2003 – 2007
James Payne 2007 -

Ohio Baptist General Convention

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