history

 And Moses said unto the people “Fear not. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” 

- Exodus 14:13

On February 3, 1957, the late Reverend Joe Z. Williams and a small group consisting of ten Christians had service at 1531 East Madison Street, Baltimore, Maryland. In the living room of his home, a song was sung a prayer was prayed and Reverend Williams gave a short sermon. After the sermon, those attending the service requested membership and decided to organize Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church with the Reverend Joe Z. Williams as pastor and founder.

A short while later, Bibleway moved to the 1100 block of Madison Street. As time passed the congregation and membership began to grow. In 1958, God blessed Bibleway to move to its present location at 2423 East Biddle Street.

Under the leadership of Reverend Williams, the church kept growing and different auxiliaries began to form along with the Official Board (Deacon, Trustees), choirs (Senior, Gospel Chorus, William Specials, Male Chorus and the Voice Of Bibleway), Usher Board, Missionary Circle and the Pastor’s Aide. Reverend Williams struggled to make Bibleway the church God wanted it to be, which was not always easy being anointed by God in the ministry. There were times when Reverend Williams was criticized and talked about. There were times when he was knocked down, but only to his knees. He then stood up a stronger man in the Lord with his mind made up to go all the way. Reverend Williams had a vision that one day we would be blessed with a new church building.

In 1969, Reverend Williams and the Official Board decided we should expand the church. The building next door at 2425 East Biddle Street was purchased for that expansion and it was completed in 1970. In September 1986, Reverend Nathaniel Womack was sent to Bibleway to help Reverend Joe Z. Williams do the Lord’s work during his illness. Reverend Womack was Associate Minister at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend William Brown. As time passed, Reverend Womack continued to carry on the Lord’s work.

On March 29, 1987, at 7:00 p.m., Pastor Womack was officially installed as Pastor, becoming the second pastor in the history of Bibleway. Reverend Williams became Pastor Emeritus. On June 4, 1988, Reverend Williams was called home to be with the Lord.

Pastor Womack came with a vision that one day, through his faith in God and with the support of his wife, Mary Womack, and Bibleway family a new building would be build. With God’s blessings and guidance, Pastor Womack proceeded to fulfill his vision.

Other accomplishments within the church and community included the expansion of the church building in 1989; the formation of the Outreach Ministry, the Prayer Group, a new Leadership Class and the Men and Women’s Fellowship Group; the installation of central air, the Baptizing Pool; the creation of Transportation Ministry, which consisted of one bus and one van. When needed Pastor Womack would lend a hand as a driver for the transportation ministry.

As time went on, the building began to deteriorate and the church family continued to grow. Through God’s blessing it was time to tear down and build a new building. On November 24, 1994, the church building was demolished. While waiting for the construction to be completed, our services were held at Collington Square Elementary School.

On May 7, 1995, Pastor Womack, the Bibleway Church and many family and friends marched back into Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church.

The spirit of the Lord continues to move on Bibleway. The Gospel has gone forth and our membership continues to grow. With the increase, several changes have been implemented. In 1995, we were blessed to install a lighted steeple. We purchased another van to provide additional transportation for our members. The Combined Choirs of Bibleway was renamed and became Bibleway Sanctuary Choir. In August 1997, Bibleway was blessed with a commercial type kitchen, for the purpose of fellowship and assisting the community.

In 1999 Bibleway received another blessing the house across the street 2418 E. Biddle Street was named “Norman Wiley Sr. Educational Center. “

The Joe Z. Williams Multi Purpose Center was completed and dedicated on September 11, 2005. 

On April 30, 2008, Rev. Womack called the officers and members together to announce that he would be retiring pastoring but not from preaching at the end of the year for the progress of the church.

On June 1, 2008, Rev. Tony A. Lawson Sr. and his wife Sis. Lafaithia Lawson joined Bibleway Church family. Rev. Lawson was associate minister of New St. John Baptist Church under the leadership od Rev. Eugene McKinney.

January 15, 2008, Rev. Tony A. Lawson Sr. was officially installed as the third Pastor in Bibleway’s history. Rev. Nathaniel Womack served as Pastor Emeritus until the Lord called him home. 

We thank the members of Bibleway for their prayers, dedication and hard work in keeping the vision alive.

February 5, 2014 Rev. Lawson resigned as Pastor of Bibleway.

June 15, 2014 Rev. Eugene B. Holmes Jr, wife Tawanda joined Bibleway church family. 

September 14, 2014, Rev. Eugene B Holmes Jr. was officially installed as the fourth Pastor of Bibleway. He was assistant pastor of Rising Sun Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Melvin C. Lee.  He was Associate Minister at New Lebanon Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Willie E. Quick.

We truly thank and give God all praises and honor for bringing us this far, “For we’ve come a long way, Hallelujah! 

The vision continues…Upon this rock I’ll build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. - Matthew 16:18