A Church Anchored in North Tulsa Since 1916
Morning Star Baptist Church has stood on the same block of East Pine Street in north Tulsa for more than a century. From a one-room frame building on East Madison Place in 1916 to the flame-shaped sanctuary that rises over the neighborhood today, the congregation has shaped - and been shaped by - the Black community of Tulsa's historic Greenwood district. The church's tagline says it plainly: "Dedicated to Community Service." Members describe their calling in the same way: "We exist to connect people to Jesus and each other." That connection happens through Sunday worship, midweek Bible study, six major ministry tracks, a member-owned credit union, a free tutoring program, and a calendar of monthly meetings that touches every age group.
The Long Walk to Pine Street
The story begins in 1916, when a small group of Christians gathered in the home of Brother and Sister Gus Narrows to organize a church. Rev. Gilmore preached the first services. A one-room frame building was erected in the 1300 block of East Madison Place, and the new body took the name Concord Baptist Church. Among the organizers was Charley Allen, who had not yet been ordained.
In 1918 the congregation moved to Pine Street and built a tabernacle. Members marked the move by marching around the block on Madison Street to the new building on Pine for the first service. The first installed pastor, Rev. W. L. Anderson, served only a few months, but he left a lasting mark: he reported a vision of a star, and the church was renamed Morning Star Baptist Church. Later that year Rev. H. P. Patton was called, and during his tenure the church elected its first Sunday School Superintendent, organized its first Missionary Society (1920, with Sister Nazareth as president), formed the Baptist Training Union (1921), and sent Sister Alice Andrews as its first representative to a state convention.
A 1923 dispute over the pastorate led to a split that produced Mt. Rose Baptist Church and Rev. Patton's resignation. Rev. Frank Jones, Sr., followed briefly before his death, then Rev. R. A. Johnson served until 1940. Johnson planted the seeds of the church's community-service identity by opening a Rescue Mission in 1929 in memory of his mother. The Mission - a first for Tulsa - helped elderly residents who had no place to live. It opened in a rented two-room house across from the church, run by Brothers Henry McClung and Irving Andrews. Later, street commissioner Ben O. Angel donated a house at roughly 603 East Pine (the future site of Moton Hospital), and the Mission operated there for a decade before being moved onto the Morning Star campus. Sister Alice Fletcher Andrews became its first matron; Sister Eunice Austin cooked the meals at her home and brought them over; Drs. T. L. Wall and Wakefield and Nurse Janice Jones provided donated medical care.
Forty-Eight Years Under T. O. Chappelle, Sr.
In 1942 Rev. T. Oscar Chappelle, Sr., a Sapulpa native trained at the American Baptist Seminary, became pastor with just 53 active members. He launched an immediate building program and moved the congregation from a basement into its first sanctuary at Madison Place and Pine Street. Under his preaching of tithing, weekly offerings grew from $10 a week to more than $170,000 a year by 1979.
Chappelle introduced several church firsts to Tulsa: a continuous radio and television ministry, a college scholarship fund, and a credit union that began as a youth-led thrift club and by 1979 had 377 members and $231,101 in assets. He added a burial plan, mission support, a church bus, and a weekly newspaper. The flame-shaped sanctuary, completed in 1964, was meant to symbolize the "eternal flame." Chappelle also oversaw construction of the Fellowship Hall and Morning Star Village Apartments and led members on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Outside the church, Chappelle served as a founding trustee of Tulsa Junior College (now Tulsa Community College), president of the Moton Hospital board, builder of the Baptist Student Union at Langston University, president of the Oklahoma Baptist State Convention, and president of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, which he brought to Oklahoma in 1991. His motto - "To Serve This Present Age" - became the church's ongoing identity. Rev. T. O. Chappelle, Sr., died on April 28, 1990, after 48 years of service.
A Second Generation at the Pulpit
Rev. T. O. Chappelle, Jr., was installed on April 16, 1990. His energy and rapport with the children quickly won over the congregation. During his pastorate the Chappelle Center, Fellowship Hall, and Sanctuary were renovated with a new choir room, updated sound system, new choir loft and altar area, garage for church vans, upgraded offices, and resurfaced parking lots. The Credit Union grew past the one-million-dollar mark. He revived the church's national footprint: named one of the top 25 most outstanding pastors in America in 1974 by the Mid-Western Baptist Laymen's Fellowship, he followed his father as president of the Oklahoma Baptist State Congress and as First Vice-President of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, where he helped start the College Hour service and chaired the Christian Education Centennial Celebration. He spearheaded the World Baptist Center fundraising campaign and, in 1996, met with U.S. President Bill Clinton. His proudest accomplishment was opening Heritage Hall, an archival repository of Morning Star's history, housed on the first floor of the Fellowship Hall. Health concerns led him to become pastor emeritus in 2005; he died on January 3, 2008.
Rev. Herbert D. Edmondson III and the Move to Dr. Rodney A. Goss
Rev. Herbert D. Edmondson III preached his initial sermon on May 6, 2007. He arrived with credentials from American Baptist Churches USA, where he chaired the World Relief Committee and served on the boards of International Ministries and the General Board, as well as First Vice Moderator for Area V covering Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana. In 2008 he preached at the National Baptist Convention in Cincinnati, an appearance that preceded an address from Michelle Obama. His tenure produced a certificate program in Christian Education, the Mission Possible Living Legends Luncheon, Family and Friends Day, the Good Friday "Showdown at Calvary" service with local pastors, the Grief and Health and Wellness ministries, and a Young Adult Choir called Voices In Praise (VIP). The church bond program was retired, the Sanctuary and Chappelle Center interiors were renovated, the building exteriors were refreshed, and Heritage Hall was renamed and rededicated T. O. Chappelle, Jr. Heritage Hall. Rev. Edmondson resigned January 22, 2012.
After a season with Interim Pastor Rev. Dr. John L. Thomas, Jr., the church called Rev. Dr. Rodney A. Goss, then of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and installed him on Sunday, August 30, 2015. Within weeks of his arrival, after a white supremacist killed nine people at a historic Black church in Charleston, South Carolina, Pastor Goss organized a memorial prayer service in north Tulsa that drew hundreds of people - Black and white, Christian and non-Christian - to the Pine Street sanctuary.
Dr. Rodney A. Goss and First Lady Dr. Veronica E. Goss
Dr. Rodney A. Goss is a student of the Bible and has been a pastor, preacher, and teacher of God's Word for more than 30 years. He holds a Doctorate and Master of Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camilla, Georgia, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education from Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, Mississippi, with the highest honors. He is a member of the Association for Biblical Higher Education Delta Epsilon Chi Honor Society. He has preached the keynote address at national, regional, and local Baptist conventions, served as President of Lift Bible College and Dean of Academics for the Second Sweet Pilgrim District Sunday School Association in Hattiesburg, and served on the board of the National Baptist Convention USA. He currently serves as the 3rd Vice-Moderator of the First United Creek District in Tulsa.
In North Tulsa, Dr. Goss sits on the board of Smiles of Faith Incorporated, which promotes free dental care, and has served on the advisory board of the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and the board of Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries. The Tulsa World named him a 2017 Tulsan of the Year for his community impact. He was an inaugural ambassador of the Terence Crutcher Foundation, and in 2017 the mayor of Tulsa declared May 7 as Dr. Rodney A. Goss Day.
First Lady Dr. Veronica E. Goss is described by the church as a perpetual student of the Bible who proclaims that the Word of God is powerful, exciting, and life-changing when worked. She serves as Bible Teacher for the Oklahoma Baptist State Convention Pastors, Ministers' Wives and Widows Auxiliary, and as Bible Instructor for the First United Creek District Pastors and Ministers' Wives and Widows Auxiliary. At Morning Star she is Superintendent of the Sunday School and a teacher of the adult class. She is the Founder and Director of Strengthening Our Sisterhood (S.O.S.) Women's Ministry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Communications from Alcorn State University, a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature from The University of Tulsa, and a Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Studies from Andersonville Theological Seminary. She is Senior Executive Administrator for the Health and Natural Sciences College at The University of Tulsa, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Alpha Chi Omega Chapter), and a member of The Links, Incorporated (Tulsa Chapter).
Dr. and Lady Goss host the Better Together Couples Ministry and have been married for thirty-four years.
Worship, Sunday School, and Wednesday Bible Study
Morning Star gathers for Sunday worship at its Pine Street campus, with Sunday School for all ages at 9:30 a.m. The A/V Web Ministry records and streams services online, and the congregation is active on Facebook and YouTube.
Midweek study happens twice on Wednesdays. At noon, Bible Study meets in the Fellowship Hall across from the main church; at 6:00 p.m., Bible Study moves into the Main Sanctuary and is also broadcast on Facebook Live and YouTube. The pastor's weekly Bible study draws about 60 people.
A Statement of Faith
The church's published Statement of Faith and Beliefs holds that there is one God, Maker, Preserver, and Ruler of all things, who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit without division of nature, essence, or being. The Old and New Testament Scriptures are the only sufficient, certain, and authoritative rule of saving knowledge, faith, and obedience. Repentance is an evangelical grace; faith is the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart that rests on God alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life. Justification is God's gracious acquittal of sinners who believe in Christ; sanctification is the Spirit-driven process of becoming holy in everyday life.
The church is composed of all His true disciples, with Jesus Christ as its Head and Pastors and Deacons as its regular officers. Baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is an ordinance of the Lord and a prerequisite for church membership. The Lord's Supper, observed with bread and the fruit of the vine, is a commemoration of Christ's death, a confirmation of faith, and a means of renewed communion with Him - open to those who have been baptized.
Ministries for Every Age and Stage
Morning Star organizes its life around six ministry tracks.
Adult Ministries gather men and women for spiritual growth, fellowship, and service. Brotherhood offers men and boys regular fellowship, growing out of vision meetings with Pastor Goss. The Crusaders are an ad hoc committee that raises scholarship money during the Annual Scholarship Day, managed through the Morning Star Federal Credit Union. The Ministries Leadership Council keeps ministry leaders communicating across the church. New Members runs an orientation program for those joining the church. The Sixty-T Ministry serves adults aged 55 and older, a group that began under Rev. T. O. Chappelle, Sr., as the Six-T club and now extends its prayer and service into the wider community. The Women's Missionary Union educates adults, youth, and children in Christian missions and coordinates outreach.
Care Ministries provide Bereavement support to families who have lost a loved one. The Nursery accepts children from birth through age five during worship services, with volunteers offering Bible study and special activities. The Ushers greet members and visitors, distribute bulletins and visitor cards, assist with seating, and maintain order during services.
Service Ministries include the Culinary Ministry, which coordinates the church's kitchens and dining facilities for members and groups, and the Trustees, who lead on financial, legal, administrative, and personal matters.
Worship Ministries include the Audio/Video Web Ministry, which adjusts sound levels for different speakers and singers and connects the church nationally and globally through online services. The Drama Ministry uses mime, sign language, music, and drama to share the gospel and model Christ-likeness. The Greeters offer a personal welcome to every visitor. The Music, Worship and Fine Arts ministry develops music, drama, dance, and the visual arts for the congregation's worship. Sunday School is held each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. with classes for all ages. Vacation Bible School is offered every summer to stay connected with families who are not yet regular churchgoers.
Crossroads Ministry is the teen ministry with a contemporary style, designed to help young people grow in faith, discover their purpose, and lead with courage. Anchored in Psalm 78:5-6, it advances the gospel through biblical teaching, mentorship, and community. A parallel ministry called Generation Next serves the same generation in a different rhythm.
Youth and Children's Ministry includes G1 (God First), the youth fellowship that addresses the spiritual, emotional, and social needs of teens, and the Nursery for infants through age five.
The Credit Union, Tutoring Program, and Grief Support
The Morning Star Federal Credit Union has been open since 1961, when it began as a youth-led thrift club. Today it holds roughly $978,000 in assets and serves more than 400 members. It is a religious-based, members-only credit union, with membership also open to immediate family of current members.
The MSBC Tutoring Program offers free tutoring to members needing help with specific courses. Ms. Beverly Vick leads the sessions, which meet each Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
The Grief Support Ministry gathers at the church on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. for anyone in the congregation or community who is grieving.
Monthly Rhythms That Hold the Year Together
Several recurring gatherings set the calendar for members. The Brotherhood Meeting and the WMU Meeting both meet on the third Saturday of each month - Brotherhood in the Fellowship Hall from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. and WMU in the Choir Room at noon. Annual observances include the T. O. Chappelle Scholarship Day, Annual Choir Day, Annual Men's Day, Annual WMU Day, Hattitude Sunday, the Church Christmas Dinner, and the Church Anniversary celebration.
Joining In
Morning Star Baptist Church gathers at 1014 East Pine Street in Tulsa. The church office can be reached at 918-582-8668, the Fellowship Hall at 918-582-1890, and the Credit Union at 918-582-9422. Prayer requests, giving through Givelify and PayPal, and the full calendar of upcoming events are all available through the church's online presence. New visitors are welcomed by the Greeters and invited to worship alongside a congregation that has been on Pine Street for more than a hundred years.