By Dawn Scotland
The Truth Reporter
The Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church commemorated 65 years with a spirit-fill weekend celebration from July 31- August 2. The three days featured a worship service Friday, free Community Picinic Saturday, Sunday morning worship service and a special wedding vow renewal ceremony Sunday evening. The theme for the milestone was “We’ve Come this Far by Faith” (Hebrews 11:1).
For 65 years, God has blessed the church to stand as a beacon of hope, faith, love, and service in the Toledo community. Through worship, outreach, preaching, teaching and community support, the Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2102 Mulberry Street, remained committed to lifting the name of Jesus and serving the needs of God’s people.
The weekend of events were a time a fellowship for the community as well as the three churches under the shepherding of Pastor John W. Williams: The Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church (Toledo, OH), New Zion Missionary Baptist Church (Buffalo, NY) and the Memorial Missionary Baptist Church (Buffalo, NY). Members of his church traveled both locally and from New York for the celebrations.
Pastor Williams has been the senior pastor of Eastern Star since 1979 (for 47 years). Under his leadership, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, souls have been won to Christ, broken homes have been mended, hope restored and the spirit of brotherly love prevails and is pervasive among the membership and in the community.
Anniversary chairperson Ret Lane, who has been a member since 1989, revealed why she has been a dedicated member of the church for so long. “I look forward to a church where there is sound doctrine and sound teaching. We don’t believe in gimmicks and tricks… We believe in what the Bible says. We have a pastor who just teaches what the Bible says,” she said.
“His main thing is teaching on family, and to me, that’s what we need to hear more of. If we can get the family in order all of this mess that we have going on outside probably wouldn’t exist – and that’s what he believes. He’s more traditional,” she continued.
“Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church is a family-oriented environment. We are heavy on fellowship. The pastor encourages that more than anything. We think that the more you fellowship together, the closer that you actually become. So we’ve been able to form a very close, tight knit bond… It’s a good place if you’re looking for a place to worship. We are down to earth. None of us here are perfect,” she concluded.
Friday night the celebration started with a worship service with a message from Dr. Williams and followed with dinner in The C.T. Rucker Fellowship Hall. Saturday, a Free Community Picnic included food, children’s games, prizes, vendors, entertainment and fellowship for all ages.
Sunday morning the message was given by guest preacher Rev. Caleb Bell, Pastor of New Cedar Grove Church (Buffalo, NY) and the weekend concluded with a special marriage vow renewal ceremony where 14 couples, with marriages ranging from six months to 55 years, renewed their wedding vows in the sanctuary. The couples received marriage certificates and concluded with a reception in the fellowship hall.
The Anniversary Committee included John W. Williams (pastor), Sis. Ret Lane (chair), Bro. Darnell Smith (co-chair) and Sis. Evelyn Ruffin (secretary).
Easten Star was organized August 1961 at 1313 Washington Street by the late Rev. C.T. Rucker, who served faithfully for three years until the Lord called him from labor to reward. Former pastors were Rev. David L. Hudson 1964-1967; Rev. John C. Holley 1967-1971; and Rev. A. Charles Ware 1972-1978. John W. Williams, DMin, became the fifth pastor in February 1979 and God is working a mighty work through him. Under his leadership many souls have been saved, homes have been mended.
An Educational Building was erected in 1986 and is now the foundation on which the new sanctuary stands. The new edifice was built in 1977 with seating capacity of 500 and the church marched into the new sanctuary on November 17, 1997, in addition a new parsonage was built.
Sunday School has grown to over 150 persons in attendance as well as Prayer Meeting and Bible Study each Wednesday. And above all, the spirit of brotherly love is evident throughout the Church family. The out-reach ministry includes a radio and social media broadcast and a nursing home was adopted in April 2009. As of 2026, the church currently owns over 70 pieces of property in the surrounding neighborhood.
To learn more about Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church visit Pastor John W. Williams Facebook page.