Our Church

Paradise began as a brush harbor tabernacle with a dirt floor. Then, in the basement of our church, which grew to a two-story structure, the Christian work at Paradise was launched. This portion of our building was completed under the pastorate of Rev. C. H. Whittington, who preached for us two Sundays each month. Since 1918 we have watched Paradise continually grow.

Our first full-time pastor was the Rev. W. M. Bonner. After a short and successful pastorate the Lord called Rev. Bonner home. Following the death of Rev. Bonner, Rev. Christmas and Rev. Kelley served as Pastors, each serving only a short time.

In the fall of 1930, the church called Rev. A. L. Branch. Rev. Branch led the church for twenty-nine years. Having gone as far as he could and realizing his health was failing, Rev. Branch called the church together on November 9, 1956, to recommend the late Rev. J. Castina Jackson, or "Little Jack," as Pastor Branch called him to continue the work.

The church accepted the recommendation of Pastor Branch, and Rev. Jackson successfully led us more than 22 years, beginning in December 1956. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in December 1957, for our new building, one year after Pastor Jackson came to us. We completely razed the old structure. In August 1959 we went into our educational department, the first to be finished. We opened our new sanctuary September 18, 1960.

On June 9, 1979, Pastor Jackson went from labor to reward, leaving us without a leader. Rev. Prince Maxwell Jr. was Assistant to the Pastor. Therefore, the church elected him as full-time Pastor of the historical Paradise Baptist Church. On Sunday, July 15, 1979 to carry out the work already begun, he accepted the challenge and he has done all in his power to fulfill the mandate conferred upon him.

Groundbreaking for our annex was implemented on March 7, 1982. Dedication for our new building was on August 5, 1984. Rev. Maxwell retired from the pulpit of Paradise (tired by otherwise in good health) the second Sunday in July 1999. Pastor Holmes was summoned from the Community Baptist Church at Sherman Texas to lead us onward. He began his work for the Lord at the Paradise Baptist Church the fifth Sunday in August in 1999. We continue marching upward and realizing that "Life is the soul’s nursery; it’s training place for the destinies of eternity".

THE OKLAHOMA EAGLE published in nineteen "fifty something"
By Elmer L. Davis
The above photo represents all that is left of the old Paradise Baptist Church, located at King and Frankfort Streets in North Tulsa. After 47 years as an organized edifice, the walls that have housed thousands of spirit-seeking men and women, are but a shell of memories today. In the background can be seen portions of a new educational unit, which will be connected to the main sanctuary when the building project now underway is completed.

Pastor Jackson, Like Unto Joshua
In 1956, when the health of the late Pastor A. L. Branch became impaired, by recommendation of Rev. Branch, Paradise called Rev. J. Castina Jackson to the ministry of the church. Like unto "Joshua" of Biblical days, the Howard University graduate and former North Tulsa Missionary, answered the call, and in less than three yeas under his prayerful and spiritual guidance, has nearly completed building a new Paradise at an approximate cost of $100,000. The building program of the church has never retarded since "ground breaking" services were held in December 1957. Every plan under this "Modern Joshua" to erect the new building, which is two-thirds finished, has been carried out in all diligence and spiritual intent.

Will Seat More Than 600
When the building is completed, the main Sanctuary, which will be 115 x 117 feet and 50 feet wide, will accommodate more than 600 persons. The air-conditioned, centrally heated stone edifice will include a two-story educational unit to include eight departments with forty classrooms for Sunday School and B. T. U., offices, kitchen, library, conference rooms, the A. L. Branch Fellowship Hall, and will have only one window.

Organized in 1912; Former Ministers Listed
The late M. J. Latham spearheaded the organizing of Paradise Baptist Church in 1912. The basement of the church on the present site was built around 1917; completed in 1921; and, after having been burned in the Tulsa Riot of 1921, was rebuilt in 1926.
Former ministers of Paradise were the Reverends Jones, Franklin, Montgomery, Whittington, Christmas, Bonner, Kelley and Branch, all deceased.

Church Officers Announced
In a recent election, the following officers were chosen for the year: Deacons – W. L. Rogers, Walter McIntyre, Nathaniel Duckery, C.C. Skinner, Richard Richardson, Ralph Daniels, L. D. Cozart and Jessie Wiley Jr. ( Wiley is the youngest deacon in the history of the church). Trustees: J. L. Stuart, Wash Shepherd, S. Gipson, A.H. Fields, H. Fields, W. M. Turner, E. Stuckey, and Hayward Burth. Mrs. Rosa B. Davis, Church Clerk; S. Gipson, Treasurer; L. D. Cozart, Superintendent of Sunday School; Charles West, Director B.T.U.; Julia B. Jones, President Missionary Society; Elnora Cozart, President Usher Board; Ora Belle Reagan, Director Children’s Work; Marian Drew, Director Youth Work; C.C. Skinner, Minister of Music; M. A. Green, financial Secretary; Vinia Moore, President Deaconess Board W. M. turner, President of Brotherhood; Jesse Wiley, Scout Leader; W. D. Edwards, Cub Leader; Wash Shepherd, N. Duckery, and E. Stuckey, Building Fund committee; W. M. Turner, Ralph Daniels, Ola Mae Pierro, and Elnora Cozart, Benevolent Fund Committee; S. Gipson, Church Engineer, and Mosella Arnett, Church Secretary.

The following Tulsa pastors hold membership in Paradise: Reverends M. V. Ferguson, W. H. Woods, C. L. West, and Henry Johnson. Pastor Jackson holds many offices in city, state, and national religious circles, and is an editor to the National Publishing Board of the National Sunday School and B. T. U. Conference, Cecil Standfield is the architect for the beautiful and spacious new Paradise church, and the W. M. Miller Construction Company are the Builders.