Dallas, October 13, 2025
News Summary
New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Dallas recently celebrated its centennial anniversary, marking a century of religious service and community engagement. The event featured traditional worship, music, and dancing, alongside recognition of longtime members. Guest preacher Rev. Kentry Ellison delivered a powerful sermon on healing and resilience, while attendees reflected on their spiritual journeys. The church, founded in 1925, has played a crucial role in the community and continues to foster close familial bonds among its members.
Dallas
New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Dallas celebrated its 100th anniversary on October 12, 2025.
New Mount Moriah Baptist Church marked a century of religious service and community engagement with a centennial service held on October 12, 2025. The event combined traditional worship elements, music and dancing, recognition of longtime members, and messages about healing and community resilience. Attendance included longtime members in formal attire and guests who came to celebrate the milestone.
Key details from the centennial service
The anniversary service included traditional celebrations with dancing, cheering, and a sense of family among members. The church choir led hymns while congregants danced and clapped to music from the piano and drums. The worship program featured a performance by two dancers to the song “Total Praise,” which earned a standing ovation, and members were encouraged to bear-hug new visitors during the service. Letters of congratulation were read from U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Dallas City Council member Adam Bazaldua.
Guest preacher Rev. Kentry Ellison delivered a sermon focused on healing and overcoming obstacles in life. Rev. Bruce Fortner, the current pastor for the past 20 years, expressed the privilege of leading the congregation. Rev. Fortner honored longtime member Kathryn Burch, who has been a member for over 70 years and recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Rev. Marcus Jackson, a part-time pastor at the church, commented on the genuine faith of congregants compared to celebrity pastors.
Membership and community role
The church currently has about 140 members and was at its peak with around 300 members in the 1970s. New Mount Moriah emphasized its commitment to serving the community and fostering a family atmosphere for its members. Attendees included longtime members dressed in formal attire, as well as guests who came to celebrate. Members and former members used the anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on personal histories tied to the congregation, including stories of spiritual formation and intergenerational ties.
Historical background and continuity
The church was founded in 1925 and opened its doors on Marne Street. Rev. Turner Davis was the first pastor of the church. New Mount Moriah survived the Great Depression shortly after its founding and sent members to serve in World War II while women in the congregation supported the war effort at home. The congregation experienced segregation and supported the civil rights movement, and it helped its community cope with the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Over time, the church moved buildings several times and has been in its current location since the late 1950s. The congregation has seen a broad shift in the local religious landscape, from many small neighborhood churches to the emergence of larger megachurches, while maintaining its roots and local presence. Longtime members emphasized the closeness and familial bonds among church members as a defining characteristic of the congregation across generations.
Personal stories and local memory
Kathryn Burch highlighted the closeness and familial bonds among church members. Burch has lived in Dallas her whole life, worked for over 30 years at a textile factory, and has a large family. Former church member Mary Badger attended the service with her son to commemorate cherished memories, and Williams-Badger reflected on building his spiritual foundation at New Mount Moriah. Myesheia Leffall, who attends the church, noted the supportive community, especially after her father’s passing in 2018.
What this centennial signals
The 100th anniversary represents both institutional endurance and a continuing neighborhood role for New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Dallas. The service combined celebration and remembrance, using music, dance and communal recognition to reaffirm the congregation’s mission of faith and community service as it moves into a second century.
FAQ
When was the 100th anniversary?
New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Dallas celebrated its 100th anniversary on October 12, 2025.
When was the church founded and where did it open?
The church was founded in 1925 and opened its doors on Marne Street.
Who was the first pastor?
Rev. Turner Davis was the first pastor of the church.
What is the current membership and past peak membership?
The church currently has about 140 members and was at its peak with around 300 members in the 1970s.
Who is the current pastor and how long has he served?
Rev. Bruce Fortner, the current pastor for the past 20 years, expressed the privilege of leading the congregation.
Who was honored during the anniversary?
Rev. Fortner honored longtime member Kathryn Burch, who has been a member for over 70 years and recently celebrated her 100th birthday.
Who attended the centennial service?
Attendees included longtime members dressed in formal attire, as well as guests who came to celebrate.
What did the anniversary service include?
The anniversary service included traditional celebrations with dancing, cheering, and a sense of family among members.
Which public officials sent letters of congratulation?
Letters of congratulation were read from U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Dallas City Council member Adam Bazaldua.
Key facts and features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Anniversary date | New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Dallas celebrated its 100th anniversary on October 12, 2025. |
| Founding | The church was founded in 1925 and opened its doors on Marne Street. |
| First pastor | Rev. Turner Davis was the first pastor of the church. |
| Current pastor | Rev. Bruce Fortner, the current pastor for the past 20 years, expressed the privilege of leading the congregation. |
| Membership now / peak | The church currently has about 140 members and was at its peak with around 300 members in the 1970s. |
| Longtime member honored | Rev. Fortner honored longtime member Kathryn Burch, who has been a member for over 70 years and recently celebrated her 100th birthday. |
| Location history | The church has moved buildings several times and has been in its current location since the late 1950s. |
| Community notes | The anniversary service included traditional celebrations with dancing, cheering, and a sense of family among members. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Dallas News: A Basic Faith – South Dallas Church Celebrates 100th Anniversary
- CBS News: Dallas Church Celebrates a Century of Faith
- WFAA: Dallas Church Celebrates 100 Years
- NBC DFW: White Pastor Chosen to Lead Black Harvey Avenue Church in Fort Worth
- Google Search: New Mount Moriah Baptist Church
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