A Stone of Help on Lee Avenue
Ebenezer Baptist Church has stood on Lee Avenue in New Brunswick for more than a century and a half. The block where the sanctuary rises carries a second name, Rev. Dr. Lonnie Ford Place, dedicated in 2008 to the pastor who served the congregation for nearly thirty-two years. Inside and around the 1926 building, the church is known as a "Stone of Help," a name drawn from the Old Testament stone Samuel raised to mark God's intervention in the life of Israel. The church's vision - to encourage a spiritually healthy community of believers equipped to change the world for Christ - is summed up in three phrases: Love God, Love All People, and Serve the World. Its motto, "Where we love you to life," shapes how members welcome visitors, neighbors, and newcomers, and the church's theme of "Better Together: Walking in Harmony, Working in Hope" runs through all its ministries and announcements.
From Living Rooms to a 1926 Sanctuary
The congregation was founded in 1873 by a small group of Christians who migrated from Virginia, joined by two natives of New Brunswick, Hannibal Brown and his mother, Mrs. Betsey Ann Brown. They began by holding services in one another's homes. Ebenezer grew up as the daughter church of First Baptist Church of New Brunswick, which poured out spiritual and financial support for many years and continues to be remembered as Ebenezer's mother church.
In April 1875 the first church building, a small frame edifice facing Comstock Street, went up on land bequeathed to the congregation by Samuel Ballard, a resident and trustee of the First Baptist Church. Rev. William Wallace became the first pastor. On July 14, 1913, fifty members gathered after a ten-day public notice and formally incorporated the church, naming it Ebenezer Baptist Church out of respect for the devout founder Mr. Ebenezer Midgett.
In May 1922, First Baptist Church, then pastored by Rev. J. Bruce Gilman, transferred the property to Ebenezer free and clear. Under the leadership of Rev. Charles C. Weathers, ground was broken for the present building on Sunday, August 12, 1923. The sanctuary was completed in 1926 at a cost of $40,000 and has been Ebenezer's home ever since.
Fifteen Pastors and Counting
Over its 150 years, Ebenezer has been served by fifteen pastors and interim pastors. After Rev. Wallace came Rev. A. G. Young (1882 to 1900), Rev. E. W. Roberts (1900 to 1911), Rev. C. H. Parish (1911 to 1914), Rev. D. Y. Campbell (1914 to 1917), Rev. Elias Jackson (1917 to 1921), Rev. J. W. Washington for eight months in 1921, and Rev. Charles C. Weathers (1922 to 1930). Rev. Monte B. Gaines served from 1934 to 1940. Rev. C. H. Shelton led the church for twenty years (1940 to 1960), continuing as Pastor Emeritus until 1969. Rev. W. Emanuel Barrett followed from 1960 to 1973, with Rev. Samuel Cameron serving a brief interim (1973 to 1975).
Then came Rev. Dr. Lonnie Ford, who served for thirty-two years (1975 to 2007), the longest tenure of any pastor in the church's history. The city honored him in 2008 by co-naming the block "Rev. Dr. Lonnie Ford Place." Rev. Dr. Gregory L. Wallace, the fourteenth pastor, served from 2009 to 2021 and retired on June 6, 2021 after twelve years of service. Rev. Lauren M. Carrington, a long-time devoted member, served as Interim Pastor from 2021 through November 2023 - the first woman to serve in that capacity at Ebenezer. Rev. Tommy D. Miles, the fifteenth pastor, was called to Ebenezer on December 1, 2023.
Rev. Miles, formerly Senior Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Neptune, is a graduate of Kean University and holds a Master of Theological Studies from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. He continues his studies at New York Theological Seminary and the Eastern School of Christian Ministry, is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and is supported by his wife Linda, their two daughters Chelsea and Leah, and three grandchildren.
Sunday Morning in the Sanctuary
Sunday School gathers at 9:00 a.m., and the Sunday morning worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. From June through August the start time shifts to 10:00 a.m. The service is live-streamed on Facebook for members who cannot attend in person. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month, and baptism services are held on the fourth Sunday, both at the 10:30 a.m. hour. Members and visitors who need a ride can arrange transportation on the church van by calling the office.
The Liturgy: Apostles' Creed and Standing Hymns
The order Ebenezer uses each Sunday - titled "The Celebration of the Gospel" - moves through a sequence that has shaped Black Baptist worship for generations. Praise and Worship opens with the Music Ministry, followed by a Call to Worship and a recitation of the Apostles' Creed: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Ghost..." The Creed concludes with "the life everlasting. Amen." Scripture, the Prayer of Invocation, a Morning Hymn, a Welcome, recognition of Birthdays and Anniversaries, Pastoral News and Reflections, and the Altar Prayer follow in turn. After a Sermonic Selection, Rev. Tommy D. Miles preaches the Sermon. The Invitation to Christian Discipleship, the Offering, the Offertory Prayer, the Church Covenant on the first Sunday, Holy Communion on the first Sunday, and a Closing Prayer and Benediction close the hour. Items marked with an asterisk are said by a standing congregation.
Wednesday in the Word and Midweek Bible Study
Two regular midweek offerings keep the congregation rooted in scripture. "Wednesday in the Word," also called "A Wednesday Word," is preached by a member of the ministerial staff and streamed on Facebook at 6:00 a.m. each Wednesday morning for an early, spirit-filled start to the day. In-person Bible Study follows at noon each Wednesday. Meeting dates and locations for the Wednesday study are communicated by email, so the church office asks members to keep an updated email on file.
Feed My Sheep: Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen
The Feed My Sheep Ministry runs two arms of food ministry to the surrounding neighborhoods. The Food Pantry is operational on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. until noon, with home delivery offered to those who cannot leave their homes by calling the church office at (732) 247-2459 or (347) 295-6797. Ebenezer is one of the open food pantries listed across New Brunswick. The Soup Kitchen is temporarily closed while Pastor Miles leads a revitalization effort alongside the pantry and the congregation's broader holiday meal work.
Bags of Love, Winterwear, and Other Outreach
The Missionary Society collects sample-size and travel-size toiletries for "Bags of Love," with a donation container placed to the left as worshipers enter the lower auditorium. Each winter, the church runs a coat drive and winterwear distribution for neighbors in need - one of the practical expressions of Ebenezer's calling to "Love God, Love All People, and Serve the World." Donations for an EBC kitchen upgrade are also accepted as the Feed My Sheep ministry retools its facilities, and the Leadership Conference meets quarterly on Saturday mornings to plan and coordinate the church's ministry life.
The Church Covenant: What Ebenezer Promises
Ebenezer's beliefs are anchored in a written Church Covenant recited by the congregation on the first Sunday of each month. Members declare being "led... by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." They promise to walk together in Christian love, support the church's worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines, contribute cheerfully and regularly to ministry and to the relief of the poor, maintain family and secret devotions, religiously educate their children, watch over one another in brotherly love, and abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drink as a beverage. The covenant closes with the doxology: "And now unto Him who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, be power and glory forever. Amen."
Children, Youth, Choir, and Vacation Bible School
Sunday School meets each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. for children and youth. A separate Youth Bible Study meets online via Zoom; families can contact Rev. Adams for enrollment details. The Adult Choir rehearses on weekday evenings leading into Sundays. Vacation Bible School is held each summer for children ages 5 to 17, running mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with lunch provided, and uses a different annual theme each year. New members can pick up their dues envelopes in the vestibule, and the church office prepares an annual printed directory of members, available at the office during its Monday, Wednesday, and Friday hours.
Giving, Visiting, and Getting Here
Gifts to Ebenezer can be made in person with an offering envelope during the offering, by mail to the church address with checks made payable to Ebenezer Baptist Church, or online through PayPal and Givelify. The office is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The mailing and street address is 126 Lee Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, with the main telephone line at (732) 247-2459 and email at ebenezer140@optimum.net. Visitors planning a first visit are welcome to call ahead so the office can arrange transportation or answer questions; the church notes that masks in the sanctuary are optional.