The History of Sharon
Sharon Baptist Church was once a mission in a one-room stable on Whatcoat Street in northwest Baltimore. While there, the Whatcoat Mission was organized into a church on February 5, 1885 with Rev. William M. Alexander as the very first pastor.
It relocated to Calhoun and Laurens Street (then known as Patterson Avenue) from 1885 to the early 1900s. At that time, the church’s name was changed from the Whatcoat Mission to the Patterson Avenue Chapel. In 1900, the Patterson Avenue Chapel purchased a building at the corner of Presstman and Carey Streets. In 1901, a constitution was created and adopted by the church. The constitution was formulated by Rev. W. M. Alexander, Deacons Fountain Gaines and David Penn, Dr. William H. Wright, and Williams Reavis. It was then that the church’s name officially became Sharon Baptist Church. Sharon moved to its present location at the corner of Stricker and Presstman Street in 1914.
On April 10, 1919 after a brief illness, Dr. William Alexander passed away and Dr. Beal Elliot was elected as the second pastor in October 1919. Rev. Beal Elliott departed this life on September 28, 1944; and is remembered for his living monuments that came about as a result of his labors. Following Dr. Beal Elliott’s tenure as pastor, Dr. James L. Moore became the pastor of Sharon Baptist Church. He paved the way for many African American people to receive employment and made Sharon Baptist Church available for the surrounding schools to use for special programs. Dr. Moore was also a leader in various civic, national, and local groups.
On June 6, 1986, Dr. Alfred C.D. Vaughn was elected the senior pastor of Sharon Baptist Church. Dr. Vaughn delivered his trial sermon on November 1, 1957 at Sharon and was licensed under the pastorate of Dr. James L. Moore. Dr. Vaughn served as the senior pastor of Sharon until he departed this life on March 19, 2023. During his 37 years of leadership, he established an outreach model that addressed many concerns shared by the community and the city at large.
Our current pastor, Rev. Dr. William E. Johnson, Jr. had served alongside the late Pastor Vaughn for more than 30 years. Through his visionary leadership and dynamic growth initiatives, he aims to inspire a new generation of Christians with a focus on radical innovation and transformative action. He leads with a strength that empowers and a heart that listens. His vision is to create a community where faith is not only a belief but a lived experience, continuously evolving to meet the spiritual needs of both young and seasoned believers. By embracing fresh approaches and fostering an inclusive environment, he guides our congregation toward a future filled with hope, resilience, and unwavering devotion to Christ.
