Our History

In 1857, Reverend Sampson White became the first pastor of what was to become Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church. The first public services were held in a blacksmith's shop at Sixth and Kaighn Avenue. It was used until it was destroyed by fire in 1858. Meetings were then held in the homes of Reverend Evans and Mrs. Elizabeth Bums, who actively kept the church together.

In 1863, after the death of Reverend White, the Reverend L.D. Francis became the pastor. The cornerstone for a meetinghouse was laid in 1864. The church was built on the southwest corner of Seventh Street and Kaighn Avenue. It was given its first name, Mt. Zion Baptist Church. It was later known as the Seventh Street Baptist Church because of its location.

Under the leadership of Reverend Moses Wilcox, the Church experienced significant growth. In 1873, a brick building, including a pool, was erected, and the church was dedicated as the Seventh Street Baptist Church. By 1882, the mortgage was paid in full, and an extension was added to the building. The church's membership had grown to 265, a testament to its progress and the community's commitment to its mission.

In 1896, Reverend Moses Wilcox died, and Reverend Troy was then called to serve as the pastor until 1898. Reverend S. J. Henderson substituted until 1900 when Reverend John T. Plenty became the pastor. Several years before, Miss Helen Monroe, a public school teacher and active Seventh Street Baptist Church member, had suggested a better church building and a more desirable location.

In 1905, the old church building at Seventh and Kaighn Avenue was sold, and the church began the search for a new site. Despite facing racial opposition, the church community persevered. They purchased property on the southeast corner of Seventh and Kaighn Avenue, demonstrating their determination to continue their mission.

Pastor Reverend John T. Plenty formed a building committee composed of several deacons and trustees to seek a permanent church site. The committee members were Lloyd Loflind, Mace Young, Charles W. Moore, William E. Rand, Ronald Jones, and Reverend John T. Plenty. These men sacrificed much to purchase a new church site possible. They even mortgaged their homes to help raise the purchase money.

In 1905, a site was secured on the northwest corner of 9th and Kaighn Avenue. The cornerstone was laid that year, and the building was completed in 1906 for $19,000. The church was dedicated as the Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church of Camden, NJ, Inc. A pipe organ and other furnishings were secured in 1911.

Reverend John T. Plenty retired as pastor in 1913 but lived in the area until he died in 1920. He was moderator of the Bethany Association for many years. His memory will always live, for it was under his leadership that the former church was built. No sacrifice was too great for him to make for the church.

In 1914, Rev. George E. Morris, the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Morristown, NJ, for twenty years and President of the Afro-American Baptist State Convention of the State of New Jersey, was called as Pastor of the Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church. Under his leadership, all previous records were broken. The membership grew to over 900 members. The church's budget exceeded $50,000 annually. In 1916, a large bell was installed in the church tower for $300. More than $10,000 was spent on the improvements, which included a tile pool, a new carpet, and an oil burner. The mortgage was paid off in 1919. In 1925, a modern pipe organ was installed in the church for $7200. Rodman Wanamaker, the son of John Wanamaker, a lover of music and owner of the largest organ in the world, was the first to make a substantial contribution to the Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church Organ Fund. The church contributed to home and foreign missions, schools, hospitals and worthwhile causes, which amounted to hundreds of dollars. Reverend Morris retired in 1938 after 14 years of faithful service.

Pastor Reverend William Pinkston served as "Acting Pastor" until 1939, when Reverend Charles Sumner Lee answered the call to be the Pastor of Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church.

Reverend Lee, an active and dedicated man, continued the church's growth. A parsonage was purchased, and two new units were added to the organ, which was dedicated to the George E. Morris Memorial Organ in 1944. A beautiful annex was added to the church building. However, Reverend Lee answered the call to the First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia, PA, in 1950.

In 1951, Reverend Herman Watts accepted the call to Pastor the Church. Reverend Watts pastored the Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church for 17 years. Under his leadership, the church retired $15,000 in debt and began a "Building Fund." In 1967, he answered the call to pastor the Friendship Baptist Church of New York, but he left the church debt-free and with $19000 in the Building Fund. The church became the second Black Baptist Church of South Jersey to join the American Baptist Church Convention.

In 1969, Reverend Don Juan Hayes became the Pastor of Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church in its sixty-third year. He continued the Building Fund and formed two committees, "Search and Program" and "Finance and Construction." The Search and Program Committee carried out their plans, and the two committees performed as one. They were as follows: Henry Gardner and Walter Cordon, Chairmen Theodore Davis, Legal Advisor William Braswell, Theodore Godfrey, Joseph Wade, Stuart Davis, Preston Gunning, Florence Wilson, Vyola Fisher, Robert T. Johnson, Joseph Wilson, Jr., Gladys Foster, Evelyn P. Johnson, Warren P. Miller, Odean S. Wortherly. The church became excited about the prospect of a new building and began enlarging the Building Fund. In 1972, Reverend Hayes answered the call to Ebenezer Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island, but that did not stop the momentum of a new building. Reverend Joseph Pinkston served as interim pastor for sixteen months.

Reverend Gabriel Churn answered the call to pastor in 1974. The committees had worked diligently during the past two years, and in 1975, the 1906-built building was completely demolished. The church worshiped in the Cooper Methodist Church building, which was owned by Cooper Medical Center from May 1975 until June 1976. On Sunday, July 4, 1976, the Church Body paraded from 6th and Steven (The Cooper Church) to the brand new church at Ninth and Kaighn Avenue.

In October of 1976, the church was again without a Pastor, and a pulpit committee was formed to supply the church's needs. In January 1978, Reverend Alvin La Tens Mills answered the call to Pastor the Church and served until April 1980.

In July of 1981, Reverend Dennis Earl Thomas accepted the call to become the 12th pastor in the church's 125-year history. A new spiritual life was given to the church, and the membership grew. One of the most exciting programs added under his ministry was the Sheepfold Ministry. In 1983, a Mortgage Completion Drive was initiated to become debt-free. A goal was set of $100,000.00 to be raised in six months. They not only reached their goal, but they exceeded it by raising $118,000 to apply against the mortgage. Their slogan, "DEBT FREE in '83," became a reality. In February 1987, Reverend Thomas answered a call to the First African Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia. Upon Reverend Thomas's departure, Reverend Robinson was asked to be the Interim Pastor. He enthusiastically accepted this position and fulfilled his duties with compassion, honor, and dignity.

In 1989, Reverend D. Keith Owens accepted the call to be the 13th Pastor of Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church. This was his first church pastorate; he was formerly Director of Public Relations for National Ministries, American Baptist Churches, USA. Reverend Owens spent much time with the youth and renewed our Black College relationship through financial support. He started Black College Sunday as Reverend Watts had done during his tenure. After four years of dedicated service, he departed Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church. Reverend Robinson stepped in again to lead the Church as Interim Pastor for the next two years.

After a long search, Reverend Britt A. Starghill answered the call on April 13, 1997, and was installed as the 14th Pastor of Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church. For the past 16 years, Pastor Starghill has served as the undershepherd, successfully moving KABC into the 21st century. Since becoming the Senior Pastor, he has moved in the direction of Traditional Worship, Progressive Values, and Inspiring Communities. Jesus Christ is the answer and the focus of every sermon he preaches. The purchase of a pipe organ and Hammond organ and the addition of drums have ensured the diversification of sacred music from classical to anthems to gospel. He insists on ordaining seminary-trained men and women in ministry and ordaining women as deacons. In 2004, Pastor Starghill initiated The Nehemiah Project, a 501(c)(3) community development corporation, to address the blight that has consumed the Gateway neighborhood in Camden, NJ. Since its inception, NPCDC has catalyzed the revitalization of this Camden community. Pastor Starghill embarked on a three—to five-year plan to ensure that Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church remains relevant and discipleship continues to grow as the demographics of the Camden community are transformed over the next five to ten years. Rev. Starghill passed away on June 4, 2015

Upon Dr. Starghill's untimely death, Rev Heard became the Interim Pastor in June of 2015. He was installed as Senior Pastor of KABC in January 2017. Continuing the Progressive vision of Doctor Starghill, he installed new Deacons, installed two newly ordained female ministers as Associate Pastors, licensed women to the gospel preaching Ministry, and during Covid, he took KABC to different level technologically, Without using the church facility, we continue church services for eighteen months with the digital enhancement he introduced the congregation to.

In November of 2021, Rev Heard and First Lady Tamara Heard made a personal decision to relocate back to their home state of Texas to pursue Dreams that they had put on hold for many years. He is still counseling with Pastors and Musical organizations with churches throughout the state of Texas; nationally and internationally. He is now a published author of three children's books with 10 more percolating for many. And in all things, he gives total praise to God; To God be the Glory for the things God has done!"