The History of the Church
1984-2016
Mt. Enon Missionary Baptist Church was organized on March 11, 1984 under the leadership of Rev W.J. Mason, DD. A group of dedicated Baptized Christian Believers met at the residence of Deacon and Sister Harold Brown, 3629 Suitland Road, SE Washington, DC. After careful fore thought and prayer, Mt. Enon was organized on a firm foundation. It was stated by Rev. W.J. Mason that we are not the founders of the church, God is. The following persons were present with charter membership being established: Rev W.J. Mason, Rev Anthony Lee, Deacon Harold Brown, Sis. Nellie Mason, Sis Eloice Brown, Sis. Bessie Neal, Sis. Tomasina Portis, Bro. Dennis McCrae, and Bro. Frank Green.
Rev W.J. Mason exemplified great abilities as a preacher and a spiritual leader. He expressed his deep concern about the members; his life was dedicated to seeking God and working for the betterment of mankind. Mt Enon held its first Worship Service on the first Sunday in April 1984 at 8 AM at their edifice located at 1205 K Street, N.W. Washington, DC. Church School was held at 9:30 AM and Bible Study was held weekly on Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM. The Missionary Society was also formed in April of 1984 with Sis Helen Green being appointed as President. The Adult Usher Board was organized, Sis Burneise was appointed as President.
The entire month of June 1984 was dedicated as “Use Your Talent Month”. To get this off the ground Bro. Dennis McCrae donated $500.00 to the church for talents. Each person was allowed to take a portion of this money to use for his/her talent returning any unused money along with any monies earned. From this project the initial $500.00 was increased many times. At the end of the month the amount turned in from the Use of Your Talents totaled June 24th thru 29th 1984, the Youth and Young Adult Revival Services were held with Rev Cleveland Mason, Associate Minister of the New Shiloh Baptist Church of Baltimore, Maryland. This event brought four persons to Christ who were baptized on Thursday June 28th by Pastor Mason. These new members were Bro. Anthon Bush, Sis. Beverly Epps, Bro. Eric Mitchell, and Sis Beverly Keys.
On Sunday July 22, 1984, the Youth and Young Adult Usher Board was organized with Sis Phyllis Stone being appointed as President. In the month of September 1984, the National Baptist Convention was held at the Convention Center in Washington, DC. Mt Enon was registered participants having photographs of the Pastor and congregation taken and placed in the souvenir booklet. At this time Pastor Mason was serving as Parent Body President. In October of 1984 the Fall Revival began; the guest evangelist was Rev Roscoe D. Cooper, Pastor of the Fifth Street Baptist Church of Richmond, VA. The creation of another group took place in November with the Senior Choir being organized. Sis. Effie Morton was appointed as President by Pastor Mason and Bro Forman became the choir’s musician.
On Tuesday March 12, 1985, Pastor W.J. Mason went home to be with the Lord. At this time the work of the church was entrusted into the hands of Deacon Harold Brown who successfully brought in guest preachers weekly from March 12th thru December 15th at which time Rev Cleveland Mason was called and installed as Pastor of Mt Enon. In June 1986, Mt Enon moved to a new location, 1325 Branch Avenue, SE Washington, DC. In June of 1990 Rev Mason began Biblical Evangelism Training. All members of Mt Enon were required to attend the motivational training sessions. People left the sessions confident in their faith as a Christian and empowered with the knowledge they had obtained which gave them a greater boldness in their witness of Jesus Christ.
In March 1991 the Mt Enon Media Ministry, “Word of Life” a unique television ministry began airing on Sunday evenings at 7:30PM on a Washington cable channel 34 (DCTV). During this time Mt Enon also relocated and worshiped at the Sousa Jr. High School for approximately three months before relocating once again to worship at the Arthur Capper Senior Citizen Building on the 1st Sunday in October 1991. Mt Enon was again faced with a transitional period when Rev Cleveland Mason was called to Perkins Square Baptist Church leaving Mt Enon on the 3rd Sunday in October 1991 once again in the capable hands of Deacon Harold Brown until August of 1993.
On July 25, 1993 Rev Sterling Swann was called to Mt Enon. His installation took place on March 28, 1994. The presiding preacher was Rev Carl V. Messiah of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church located in Marbury, MD., a great preacher of the gospel.
Rev Swann was a God sent preacher, an effective communicator of the gospel and a gifted teacher. His pastoral accomplishments from installation thru 2004 were; Conducted worship service and outreach ministry at Arthur Capper Senior Citizens Bldg.
Lead Mt Enon to purchase the current edifice at 329 34th Street, SE in 1997, leading effort to acquire more land/property for future growth.
Re-instituted and expanded Sunday School, Mid-Week Prayer & Praise Service and
Instituted New Members Orientation Training, Believers Foundation Class &
Discipleship Training Classes.
Organized an implemented a Mission Fund, Evangelism and Outreach Ministry which
addressed the community’s needs, Youth and young Adult Ministry, Kitchen Ministry,
Vacation Bible School, W.J. Mason Men’s Fellowship, Women of Excellence
Fellowship, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters Ministry.
Trained and ordained two Deacons in 2001
Trained and installed two Trustees and one Deaconess in 2002
Implemented various fund raisers and activities
Established an outreach Website
Established an 4th Sunday Evening program
Upon Rev Swann’s departure in 2004, once again Dea Harold Brown step into the position of overseeing the operation of the church inviting in guest preachers and ensuring that operational matters as well as financial matters were handled timely. Sunday August 1, 2006 Rev Tracy R. Shepperson was called to Mt Enon as Pastor and Shepherd. Pastor Shepperson’s installation service took place on April 21, 2007. We are in great anticipation of what will take place under the Leadership and guidance of our newly appointed Pastor as he’s lead by the Holy Spirit. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him”. (I Corinthians 2:9)
“We are a church with a Mission and a Vision”
As we face the future, it is our fervent prayer that Mt Enon will continue to grow both spiritually and physically in touching the lives of others.