CHURCH HISTORY

The Free Gift Mission was organized on May 9, 1954 in the home of Reverend J.W. McCray at 714A Monroe Street, Brooklyn, New York.  The following Sunday, Worship Services were held at 494 Lexington Avenue where the Reverend Wayne was Pastor.

In June of the same year, we occupied the premises at 77 Sumner Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.  On October 21, 1955 an Advisory Council meeting of The Eastern Baptist Association was held for the purpose of reorganizing The Free Gift Mission as a regular Baptist Church.  As time passed and the membership grew, larger quarters were needed.  In September 1956, the pastor, members, many visitors and friends marched from 77 Sumner Avenue to 1088 Myrtle Avenue.

Reverend Dr. Daniel Webster Batts was called to serve as pastor of our Church.  In 1961, The Free Gift Baptist Church by reasons of legal matters had to change its name from “Free Gift” to The Greater Free Gift Baptist Church.  Under new leadership, we continued worshiping at 1058 Myrtle Avenue.  In 1962 through the help of Almighty God, we relocated to our present site, 146 Stockton Street.  On December 12, 1991 our beloved Pastor Reverend Dr. Daniel Webster Batts, went home to be with the Lord.  

On Tuesday, December 13, 1994, after much prayer and consideration, the members of The Greater Free Gift Baptist church elected and called Reverend William Raymond Whitaker, Jr. to serve as only the third pastor in the history of our great congregation.  Officially installed on February 26, 1995, Reverend Whitaker began his spiritual leadership, and to date, for twenty-five years, God has used our pastor to draw a great amount of new souls to the church.

Under Pastor Whitaker’s leadership we have added the Nurses Unit, The Greater Free Gift Bible Institute, an In-house Library and the formation of the Fine Arts Ministry which consists of Theatre, Dance and Mime.  Serenity on Stockton Street was also birthed during this period and the dining room was dedicated “The Daniel Webster Batts Fellowship Dining Hall”, after the late Pastor.  During 2002-2003, the main sanctuary and the DW Batts Fellowship Dining Hall were renovated.

On May 5, 2007, the officers and members of the Greater Free Gift Baptist Church gathered to witness our Pastor consecrated to the Office of “Bishop” a Prince in the Lord’s Church.

Bishop Whitaker acknowledges the call of God in women as well and to this, many are operating within their gifts.  The Elders and Clergy Alliance assist Bishop Whitaker and the church as needed.