Church History

HISTORY OF GREATER MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH    

 In the year of 1893, the Almighty God-of-the-Bible touched the hearts of several Christians to form a corporation called the Morning Star Baptist Church, to worship Him in accordance with doctrines, disciplines, and customs as outlined in the Holy Bible.  The first Board of Managers were Rev. Washington M. Taylor (Pastor and President), Brother George Variste (Vice-President), Brother Esau Brandon (Secretary), and Brother Anthony Wilson (Treasurer).  The Board of Deacons consisted of Brother Dunk Duplantier and Brother John Martin.  The Deaconesses were Sis. Julia Bassett, Sis. Joanna Gray, Sis. Nancy Palmer, and Sis. Molly Stokes. Rev. Taylor, along with the Board of Managers, was concerned with the religious and moral welfare of the members and wanted to insure the religious, moral, and academic teaching of the children.  Their foresight was realized in the founding of the “Morning Star Baptist Church School of East Baton Rouge.  In May of 1931 the LORD called Rev. Taylor home from labor to reward. God, being good, gracious, and merciful, touched the membership to call Reverend Louis Severan as the second Pastor of Morning Star Baptist Church.  Under Rev. Severan’s leadership the church’s first Usher Board was organized in 1939. On September 18, 1947, Rev. Severan went to his heavenly home to meet the LORD.                                                                                                                                       

Following the passing of Rev. Severan, Morning Star called the Rev. Albert Parker, as its third Pastor.  Under Rev.  Parker’s direction the first Church Choir was organized.  Rev. Parker served faithfully for ten years, until May 1957, when he resigned as Pastor because of failing health.  Rev. David Brandon was then called to serve as interim Pastor.   

On December 17, 1957 Rev. Wilbert Jackson was ordained at Mount Gillion Baptist Church by Rev. A.D. Hatter to serve as the fourth Pastor of Morning Star Baptist Church.   Rev. Jackson appointed the following men to the Board of Deacons:  Brother Frank Brigham, Brother Willie Burnett, Brother Leo Hamilton, Brother Ernest Hartford, Brother Ned Hendricks, Brother William Jones, Brother Joe Livous, Brother Willie Raymond, Brother Grover Sterling, Brother James Turner and Brother Houston Williams.  The women appointed to the Board of Deaconesses were:  Sister Ophelia Bell, Sister Lou Brigham, Sister Alma Livous, Sister Mary Robinson, Sister Avis Thomas, Sister Olevia Vaughn, and Sister Pearl Veal.  During Rev. Jackson’s tenure Pastor’s Aid was organized by Sister Virginia Carter and Home Mission by First Lady Josie Jackson.  In 1977, Morning Star Baptist Church changed its name to Greater Morning Star Baptist Church.  At that time the Board of Managers consisted of:  Bro. Frank Brigham, Bro. R.D. Hamilton, Bro. Donald Jackson, Bro. Graylin Jackson, Bro. Willie Lewis, Bro. Ralph Randolph, Bro. E.J. Simmons, Bro. Grover Sterling, Bro. Hal Thompson, and Bro. Wally Washington.  After twenty-six years of service as Pastor and teacher of Greater Morning Star Baptist Church, Rev. Jackson assumed the position of Pastor Emeritus in March 1984, due to failing health.  Led by the Holy Spirit, Rev. Jackson appointed Rev. Charles L. Burris, Sr., as Acting Pastor of Greater Morning Star.  On April 4, 1984, God called Rev. Jackson home to eternal peace and joy.   Rev. Jackson left a legacy of integrity, diligence, and a great teacher of God’s Word.                                                                                                                                             

In May 1984, the officers and members of Greater Morning Star Baptist Church, led by the Holy Spirit, Elected Reverend Dr. Charles Lee Burris, Sr. as Pastor.  He was ordained at the Pleasant Green Baptist Church of Baton Rouge by Rev. Emanuel McField, to serve as the fifth Pastor of Greater Morning Star Baptist Church.  Rev. Burris was deemed a compassionate, faithful, and eager servant of God and His people.  Under Rev. Burris’s pastorate the initial members of the Deacon Board were:  Bro. Ronnie Cummings, Bro. Milton Fathering, Bro. Ulysses Smith, and Bro. Grover Sterling.  Initial members of the Deaconesses were:  Sis. Ophelia Bell, Sis. Lou Brigham, Sis. Alma Livous, Sis. Mary Robinson, Sis. Tilly, Sis. Olevia Vaughn, and Sis. Pearl Veal.  Greater Morning Star Baptist Church grew spiritually, financially, and in membership under the leadership of Rev. Burris.  In 2005 Rev. Burris, along with the membership, and led by the Holy Spirit, envisioned the need for a new and larger sanctuary. The church structure and property at 7480 Highland Road was sold (except for it’s historic cemetery).  A 3.25-acre plot located at 1002 Mavis Drive was to be the site of the new church.  On August 13, 2006, the Greater Morning Star Baptist Church held its first worship service in the newly constructed facility on Mavis Drive.  Rev. Dr. Burris served faithfully as Pastor for 25 years until the LORD called him home to eternal reward on October 5, 2009. 

Greater Morning Star Baptist Church was again in need of a Pastor.  In May of 2010, officers and members, led by the Holy Spirit, elected Rev. Charles Lee Burris, Jr. as the sixth Pastor of Greater Morning Star Baptist Church.  Under the leadership of Rev. Burris, the Men’s and Boys’ Ministry, Sick and Shut-In Ministry, a new church constitution and by-laws were established.  Current officers of the church include:  Minister Irma Edwards, Associate minister and Minister Jamie Brown, Associate Minister.  Deacons:  Bro. Robert Allen, Bro. Tommy Lloyd III, Bro. Marco Marshall, Bro. Willis Sawyer, and Bro. Nathaniel Spears.  Deaconesses: Sis. Earline Nelson, Chairwoman and Mother of the Church; Sis. Marva Hall, Co-Chairwoman; Sis. Florence Bonton, Sis. Earnestine Burris, and Sis. Jessie Lee Hayes.  Greater Morning Star Baptist Church, founded 1893, continues to flourish as a God-fearing church determined to serve the God-of-the-Bible.  All praises to God for 127 years of praise, worship, fellowship, teaching, and preaching!