WE ARE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS SPREADING THE GOSPEL AND MAKING AN IMPACT EVERYWHERE - ACTS 17:6

– The People’s Baptist Church is a vibrant church community of believers. Welcome to our online community

Church Performers

Welcoming Christian Church

Join The People’s Baptist Church

Be part of a Christian church that will help you deepen your connection with God. Welcome to The People’s Baptist Church. Our fellowship center is committed to glorifying God and strengthening the faith of the believers. Worship with us in Spirit and Truth.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” - 1 John 1:7 (ESV)

Column

Our Ministerial Staff

Rev. Eric Jadolyn Goode, Pastor
Rev. Blanche Pitzhadijahah, Assistant Pastor
Dea. Ronnie Brundage, Chairman of Deacon Board

History of The People’s Baptist Church

The People’s Baptist Church was organized in the autumn of 1917 in the home of Reverend Marcellus Thomas Jeffries who became the first Pastor. Deacon George Jennings suggested the name “The People’s Baptist Church” and it was accepted. The young Church was recognized in March 1918. The late Reverend C. W. Gregory, Pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, took an interest in the group and moderated many of the early meetings.

Among the first officers of the Church were Sister Sarah Jennings, Mother of the Church, President of the Senior Choir, and President of the Missionary Society; Deacon Charles Owens, Chairman of the Board of Deacons; Brother Sutton, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Brother Benjamin Franklin Wilson, Superintendent of the Sunday School; Sister Cora Douglas, President of the Willing Workers Club and President of the Pastor’s Aid Club; and Sister Mary Jennings, Organist.

Column

Ethel Price was the first baby born into the Church. Rosalee Golden was the first child baptized in the Church. Mary Jennings was baptized on the same day. All of the above mentioned “firsts” have gone to be with the Lord. The first Sunday School Picnic was held on July 15, 1920 in Strawberry Mansion Park.

The Church’s first regular meeting place was on the second floor of 8201 Eastwick A venue. They purchased the lots at 8208-12 Eastwick A venue and moved into a house at 8212 after renovating it. While worshipping there they built an edifice at 8208-10 Eastwick which they moved into in 1941. They remained there until June 1965 when they moved into their present Church home at 5039 Baltimore A venue.

Over the years other auxiliaries have been added – The Flower Club (later combined with the Hospitality), Hospitality Club, Holy Light Gospel Chorus, Ushers Board, the United Choir which is a growth of our Young Adult Choir and a youth choir, the Williams Youth Voices and Male Chorus. Other ministries that have been added over the years are a Food, Lost Coin, Audio, Senior Citizen, Van Ministries, and a newsletter called “The Lamplighter.” For years we have held a Vacation Bible School. Our Board of Christian Education is active with our Youth Development program operating well. We have a Share Food Program and well as an Emergency Food Program which operates under the People’s Pantry Food Ministry, had an After- School Tutoring Program, and Our Pastor and Associates teach our New Members Class and Bible studies.

In addition to Reverend Jeffries, previous Pastors have been Reverend Johnson, Reverend A. B. Jordan, Reverend Tate, Reverend R. H. Butcher, Reverend M. L. Henry, Reverend C. L. Smallwood, Reverend A. J. Arthur, and Reverend Matthew M. Williams, who was with us 45 years until his retirement on January, 3, 2010. Rev. Williams then served as Pastor Emeritus until his death on September 24, 2011.

Rev. Eric Jadolyn Goode was called to be Pastor of this Church on March 22, 2014 from the New Hope Temple Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA under the Pastorate of Rev. John Coger. Rev. Goode Service of Installation was held on Sunday, May 25, 2014. He has moved to continue the 45-years of great work begun by former Pastor Matthew M. Williams. Rev. Goode wishes to remain cognizant of his memory. He also continues to recognize Mrs. Genevieve Williams as First-Lady Emeritus of The People’s Baptist Church.

We are currently members of the Pennsylvania Eastern Keystone Baptist Association (PEKBA); the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention (PBSC); the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC); and the Philadelphia Baptist Association (PBA).

For all things, we give God the Glory.

Biography of Reverend Eric Jadolyn Goode

Philosophy of Preaching: Preaching is the proclamation of the liberating Gospel of God’s Sovereignty through Jesus Christ, as informed by a study of Sacred Scripture and illuminated by the Holy Spirit.

Reverend Eric Goode, a native of Duval County in Jacksonville, Florida, was born on December 2, 1986. At the age of three, he was adopted by Bernice Hooper and the late Willie Hooper of Philadelphia. He was educated in the School District of Philadelphia.

On October 15, 2004, Reverend Goode preached his trial sermon and was licensed to preach the Gospel during the 4th Church Anniversary of the New Pentecost Christian Church on September 17, 2006. On the first Sunday of March of that year, Reverend Goode relocated to New Hope Temple Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Dr. John Coger, where he served as the Youth Pastor until 2014.

Reverend Goode is a graduate of the Philadelphia Biblical University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministries in May, 2012. He received his Masters of Divinity degree with a concentration in Black Church Studies at the United Lutheran Seminary in May 2020. He is currently a student at the United Lutheran Seminary in their Master of Sacred Theology Program. He also serves as an instructor for Wayland Baptist Theological Seminary in their School of Practical Theology program.

On March 22, 2014, Reverend Goode was elected the Pastor of The People’s Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA. He was installed on Sunday, May 25, 2014, where his aim has been to carry on the Church's rich legacy of community service.

In addition to his Pastoral Function, on a Community and denominational level, Reverend Goode has participated in the following:

Serving as the Regional Chaplain for Aristocare in Philadelphia
Participating in the AMACHI Mentoring Coalition under the Leadership of the Reverend Dr. W. Wilson Goode, the former Mayor of Philadelphia.
Vice Moderator of the South, Pennsylvania Eastern Baptist Keystone Association
Custodian of Records, Baptist Pastors & Ministers Conference and Vicinity
Chairperson of the Annual Session Committee, Pennsylvania Progresive Baptist Alliance
Past Vice President & Past Director of Community, Cedar Park Neighbors Association

Most of all, Reverend Eric Goode is a child of God who preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ with power and conviction.

Discover More About Our Church Ministries

No matter who you are and where you are in your life now, always remember that you are not alone. Our Christian church is here for you. We open our arms to everyone looking to experience God’s great comfort and abundant grace. Should you have any queries about our fellowship center or church programs, feel free to call us. We will attend to you shortly.

Join Our

Worship Services

Would you like our church pastors or ministry leaders to pray for you? Simply get in touch with us today for your confidential prayer requests.

Contact UsContact Us

The People’s Baptist Church

Rev. Eric Jadolyn Goode, Pastor | Phone:

215-747-9818