Spiritual Amenities II: Timothy Baptist Church

Some folk's thoughts about the social ferment on Fort Hill in the '70s cluster around the housing activism of the Roxbury Action Program and the counter-cultural activism of Mel Lyman, American Avatar, and white revolutionary communes [re-published articles from the Bay State Banner 30 years apart].

A different side of the developing social fabric of the '70s was in the arrival, in 1977, of the Timothy Baptist Church. Founded in 1967 by Dekalb, Mississippi, transplant Dennis L. Grace, the church bounced around from Norfolk to Bowdoin to Nelson streets in Dorchester, before settling in the old Latvian church on the 10,000 sq ft parcel at the corner of Highland and Morley streets.

The Timothy Baptist Church, Inc. web site is remarkable for any church or business. It is broad and deep. It enables the reader to learn a great deal about the church and its leadership, from their views on Believer-baptism to the family.

The building itself is wedged in among the backyards of its residential neighbors. It is in good repair, with at least five split-duct air conditioning units, so perhaps, during the warm months the windows remain closed and the sound of the music and worship does not intrude too much on the neighbors. The parcel does not contain any parking, so Highland Street was parked up to the gills at 2 pm on a recent Sunday afternoon.

There is a full church hall beneath the handicap accessible worship space. The picture gallery [an exquisitely annoying Smilebox page] shows lots of smiles and children.

Looking for a Christian house of worship on Sunday morning within easy walking distance? The Timothy Baptist Church could fit the bill: Sunday School for all ages at 9:30 and worship at 11 am.