This year, the historic Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 150-year anniversary with several events commemorating its milestone as one of DeKalb County’s oldest African American churches.
The church will kick off its celebration on Sunday, March 24 with two worship services. Pastor James C. Ward, Antioch-Lithonia’s pastor, will preach at the 7:30 a.m. worship service. Pastor Michael Taylor, Shiloh Baptist Church in Jonesboro, will preach at the 10:30 a.m. worship service.
Pastor Taylor, a native of Greenville, Mississippi, is the senior pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Jonesboro, the oldest African-American church in Clayton County.
Pastor Ward said he is looking forward to welcoming the community to join Antioch-Lithonia’s worship services and events that have been planned for the church’s historic anniversary.
Founded in 1869, Antioch-Lithonia not only has served as a faith institution but it also was the first branch of the DeKalb NAACP, Pastor Ward said.
“We have been around for so long because we have been relevant,” said Pastor Ward, adding that Antioch-Lithonia’s congregation is comprised of five generations and its worship services reflects that through a variety of music genres. “We welcome everyone to come out and worship and fellowship with us.”
Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church is located at 2125 Rock Chapel Road Lithonia. Worship services will be held on March 24 at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.