OUR HISTORY

The History of the St. Stephen Baptist Church (SSBC) from 1903-Present:

First Permanent Edifice 604 Charlotte 1903-1921

Second Edifice 910 Harrison 1921-1938

Third Edifice 1414 E. Truman Road 1938 - Present

The birthplace of St. Stephen Baptist Church began with a courageous young preacher, Reverend James Wesley Hurst, along with a few dedicated followers. They worked, prayed, and sacrificed on a street corner in "Bellevidere Hollow." As a prominent leader, he became the second President of the National Baptist Convention of America.

Reverend Raymond James Jordan, the second pastor, boldly instituted changes which placed St. Stephen at the vanguard of the community of churches. Not only did the church survive a devastating fire and a world war, it achieved a firm financial footing, a large increase in membership, and several enhancements were made through the building improvement program.

Under the capable leadership of the third pastor, Reverend John Wesley Williams, the remodeling was accomplished, and the mortgage burned. Other achievements of this period were, auxiliaries reorganized, church staff expanded, the newsletter began, scholarships initiated, radio broadcast began, retreat facility and buses purchased, national and international conventions hosted and the participation of members in many civic, social and human rights were on the move.

The fourth pastor, Reverend Mac Charles Jones led to the multiple staffing throughout the church. Expanded ministries in Evangelism, Discipleship Training, Christian Education, CITI and Extended Care (weekly food-service program), Social Services, Second Start (Drug Program), Economic Development-including an Entrepreneurship Corporation, Visitation, Bus and TV Ministry which helped the church express the tenets of its logo, FAITH, LOVE, and PURPOSE.

On March 5, 1995, Reverend Eric Duane Belt joined the Saint Baptist Church family. The next Sunday, Reverend Belt preached his first sermon, “Truly, He Is the Son of God” Matthew 14:23-33. Reverend Belt served as the Assistant to the Pastor of Dr. Mac Charles Jones for one year and nine months. Upon the resignation of Pastor Jones, the church body voted unanimously for Reverend Belt to serve as Interim Pastor on the first Sunday, January 5, 1997.

Through the prayers of the saints and by the power of God, on August 27 1997, Reverend Eric Duane Belt was elected as the fifth pastor of the Saint Stephen Baptist Church. Under his leadership and professional tutelage, the membership and active participation of the membership has grown in their faith and commitment to service. Through his preaching of Jesus, many lives have been changed, hearts transformed, and minds renewed.

The church building is mortgage free, and several renovations have provided specific services to meet the needs of our Seniors and have expanded the children and youth ministries. St. Stephen boldly advocates equality, economic opportunity, respect, and love for one another. From “Bellevidere Hollow" to 6th and Charlotte, to 9th and Harrison to 15th and Paseo, we have persevered. “To God Be The Glory.”

MAKING A MARK IN HISTORY

The St. Stephen Baptist Church campus at 1414 East Truman Road is more than the church’s longtime home, it is a significant part of Kansas City’s African American history.

After the congregation moved to the property in 1938, the former Paseo Dance Hall was transformed into a permanent place of worship. Under the leadership of Rev. Raymond James Jordan, St. Stephen purchased the building and surrounding properties in 1941 for $25,000. Architect Ernest C. Brostrom and Wesley Elders Construction Company oversaw the transformation of the property into a church.

The campus continued to grow as the congregation grew. A 1945 expansion created the distinctive buff-brick sanctuary with cast-stone detailing, carved panels, glass block, and its prominent tower. In 1955, another building on the property was remodeled for church use. These different periods of construction can still be seen in the historic façades along Truman Road.

St. Stephen’s significance extends beyond its architecture. The church became a gathering place during important moments in Kansas City’s civil rights history. In April 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at St. Stephen to an audience of approximately 750 people. The church also hosted NAACP Freedom Fund rallies, bringing prominent national civil rights leaders such as Thurgood Marshall and Roy Wilkins to its sanctuary.

Even as the surrounding neighborhood changed, including the construction of Interstate 70 directly north of the church, St. Stephen remained rooted at 1414 East Truman Road. The congregation has occupied this location continuously for more than eight decades, making the church a rare surviving connection between generations of Kansas City’s Black religious, civic, and social history.

In 2026, the National Park Service approved St. Stephen Baptist Church for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under the African American Heritage in Kansas City, Missouri Multiple Property Documentation Form. The recognition was supported in part by a National Park Service Underrepresented Communities Grant.

Today, the same campus continues to be a place where faith is lived, generations gather, and the legacy of those who came before us continues to shape the future.

From our earliest days to the present, St. Stephen remains a living part of Kansas City’s story.