About Us

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Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1908 on South Main Extended under the leadership of the late Rev. Mitch Johnson. Rev. Johnson served as pastor for twenty years.

1928- 1931: The late Rev. L. W. Watson was elected in 1928 and served as pastor for 3 years. Under his leadership the Church moved to 1264 Florida Street.

1931-1943: The late Rev. L. H. Patton was elected and served as pastor for twelve years. The Church continued to prosper.

1943-1969: The late Rev. J. W. West was elected and served as pastor for twenty-six years. Under his leadership in 1945 the church moved from the basement into a beautiful auditorium, and the word “Greater” was added to the Church’s name. In 1964, Greater Mt. Moriah moved from 1264 Florida Street to the present location, 1098 South Wellington Street.

January 1970 to December 21, 2021: Rev. J. L. Payne was elected. Under his fervent pastoral leadership, the Church progressed tremendously.

The Church was completely renovated in 1974. The balcony was added because of the membership's growth. On the third Sunday in May 1976, a cornerstone for the new edifice was laid. More than three hundred members brought special gifts to erect a bronze commemorative plaque in the vestibule.  More than 50 lots have been purchased for parking and dwelling. Because of the generous financial support of members and friends, in 1984, the building at 460 East McLemore was purchased and paid off. The building was named “Greater Mt. Moriah Archie L. Rice Center.”

Pastor Payne did not limit his dedication and service to Greater Mt. Moriah Church. He served the surrounding community and LaRose School, our adopted school, with just as much dedication and support to make the neighborhood a better place for all to live. Special efforts were made by the membership to have a section of Wellington Street renamed in his honor. This section of the street was renamed “Reverend J. L. Payne Avenue”. On December 24, 1999, during a Love Banquet held in Pastor Payne’s honor, this recommendation was verbally granted by a representative from the City Office. The change was made official in January of 2000.

In 2001, a donor gave Greater Mt. Moriah Church the property located in the South Memphis area at 1110 Texas Street. Once a warehouse with a shipping dock, the building has been transformed into a beautiful worship and recreation center. On September 29, 2001, the Church celebrated the blessing of the new property with a Gratitude Banquet. Eight hundred members and friends were in attendance on the beautifully decorated dock. The speaker for the occasion was Rev. Frank E. Ray, pastor of the New Salem Baptist Church on Parkway.

In 2003, a new sanctuary was erected adjacent to the old sanctuary. The same year a new gymnasium, Greater Mt. Moriah Potter’s House, was built on Edith Street. These new edifices were part of the vision of Pastor Payne. The gym contains a full-size basketball court, a walking track, a bowling alley with four lanes, meeting rooms, exercise equipment, and a refreshment stand.

In 2014, the community fellowship hall was erected. Many banquets, receptions, funeral repasts, and health and wellness events have been held in this facility. Three years later, the fellowship hall was renamed as the Clester Faye Bohanna Fellowship Hall, in honor of one of our long-serving secretaries, Mrs. Clester Faye Bohanna.  Later in 2017, our old Sunday school building was demolished, and the land was converted into a memory garden.  The garden was named "Glorius Dawson Garden of Love" in honor of our member, Mrs. Glorius Dawson, who served as the financial secretary with dedication and integrity for over four decades.

Throughout the rest of Pastor Payne's leadership, he placed emphasis on "family", "males in the family", "men and youth" (MAY Day) with themed series consisting of sermons, speakers, choir performances and more.  On January 24, 2020, an elegant banquet was held in honor of Rev. Payne's 50 years of dedicated service at Greater Mt. Moriah M.B. Church.  The event was held at the Hilton Hotel and included over 800 attendees dressed in their gala attire of black and gold.  He served Greater Mt. Moriah, the South Memphis community, the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association, the National Baptist Convention and more until his passing on December 21, 2020. 

On Sunday, February 21, 2022, Reverend Jerry D. Taylor, Sr. was assigned as the 6th Pastor of The Greater Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church and he was formally installed on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at 3:00 P.M. Today Greater Mt. Moriah includes over 500 members, a full administrative staff, and various ministries. Our church's community outreach extends to our adopted school, LaRose Elementary, community health fairs, Feeding The Needy with Free haircuts, Thanksgiving Dinners, our Annual Back To School Giveaway, our Christmas Bikes Giveaway, and more. As 'A Church With A Family Touch', we will continue our dedication and support to make our neighborhood a better place to worship and for others to live.