In 1995, the Lord moved upon the heart of Minister Jerome McLeod (then serving as an Associate Minister of the St. Phillips Baptist Church) to start a church.  Through much prayer and after consulting with his pastor, Reverend Matthew Riley Jr., an earnest search for a site began in the summer of 1999. After looking at several buildings throughout the Baltimore area and prayerful consideration, the church was founded at 424 East 30th Street.  The first worship service was held on February 5, 2000.

 

Open Bible Gospel Church received support from several sources.  The following people were a blessing in the establishment of this ministry: Pastor Matthew Riley Jr. and The Saint Phillips Baptist Church family, Pastor Reginald and the Greater New Saint John Baptist Church family, Pastor James and Rev. Stephanie Mullen, Rev. Stacy Shannon, and Brother Mark Dyson.

 

The name Open Bible Gospel Church was chosen by Pastor McLeod. The name came to him when he saw his open Bible on his living room table. He thought of many good implications of an open Bible. An open Bible implies that one is ready to read the Word, receive the Word, study the Word, meditate on the Word, and obey the Word. The word “Gospel” was added because Pastor McLeod felt the primary mission of any church should be the dissemination of the good news about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

 

The Lord called Pastor McLeod home to be with Him on March 15, 2016. After much prayer, in May 2017, the congregation voted to move forward with a new Sheppard,  Dr. Ronald J. Williams, Jr. who was serving as an Associate Minister at Shiloh Christian Community Church under Pastor Jimmy C. Baldwin, Sr.  Dr. Williams began serving as the Pastor on July of 2017 and hit the ground running making an immediate impact in the church and the community.