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A Legacy of Faith and Commuity
Father James Solomon Sims was the Founding Father and organizer of the church in 1888. Father Sims was sent out from the New Hope Baptist Church to set up a Mission Station located on the Branch in South Dallas, also known as the Prairie. Their services were first held in the home of Mrs. Mary Janie Moore until a location could be secured. As the membership of the mission began to grow, a plot of ground was leased from Mrs. Janie Moore and a building was erected, which measured 20 x 30 feet.
Donations for this project were made through New Hope Baptist of $60.00 and an additional contribution from the Northwestern Baptist Association by Rev. A. R. Griggs. After the completion of the building, Rev. Stubbs was in charge of the Mission. Membership was low and unattractive to most ministers until a revival was conducted by Reverend. I. Toliver. Because of the success of the Revival, it was agreed by all members that the Mission would be the religious foundation for the organizing of a “Full Church”. In August 1891, Reverend I. Toliver, along with Rev. A. R. Griggs, organized the church and named it Salem Baptist Church.
After two years of service, the Church was then disclosed as an Independent Church and called its first Pastor, Reverend C. N. Pryor. During Rev. Pryor’s pastorate, the Church purchased the old site on the Branch for the sum of $300.00. The following Trustees cleared the mortgage in about three years: Brother J.S. Sims, Joe Harris, and J. B. Davis. At this time, the church was well on its way, both spiritually and numerically.
As time passed on, the following Pastors were called: Reverend Frank Williams, Reverend M. C. Calhoun, Reverend G.W. Smith, Reverend A. Taylor, Reverend A.R. Griggs, Reverend A. L. Moore, Reverend R. H. Wilson, and Reverend James Peren. During the pastorate of these ministers, Salem’s efforts were centered around evangelism and the building of the church numerically.
In 1911, under the pastorate of Reverend R.D. Canady, the church was moved and rebuilt at Preston and Paris Streets to accommodate a growing congregation.
In 1917, the Church was rebuilt by Reverend L.B. Skinner and grew both physically and spiritually. In the years 1921-1922, the Church continued to grow spiritually and the frame edifice was rebuilt by Reverend M. B. Bilbrew. Under Rev. Bilbrew’s pastorate, the Church gave birth to her first spiritual offspring, Zion Hill Baptist Church, organized by Rev. Bilbrew at Flora and Boll Streets.
The Church was again rebuilt in 1933 under the pastorate of Reverend C. A. Powers, its 14th pastor, and continued to grow spiritually and physically. He served well for several years and was succeeded by Reverend R. D. Nious.
In August 1939, Reverend Beezaleel R. Riley, from First Baptist Church in El Dorado Arkansas was elected pastor. Under his leadership, Salem made many tangible accomplishments. Among these were: a fully developed Religious Education program, a tithing church with a monthly income of approximately $2,000.00, and a tremendous increase in membership. There is also to his credit, a nine-room parsonage and in 1944, a remodeling of the church. Because of city expansion, a site at 710 Bourbon Street was purchased in 1946 and the church building was moved there in 1947. A new building was erected at 710 Bourbon Street and equipped with new equipment for one hundred thirty-five thousand dollars ($135,000.00).
The deacons at that time were Brothers: Selvin Adkinson, E. M. Allen, Ben Beard, Leroy Bowers, Leroy Bright, Jesse C. Butler, Oscar Bush, Mack Gray, Jr., Frank Grayson, I. H. Harper, Will Hunt, Walter Hopkins, Alonzo Jackson, M.A. Johnson, Windell Kizzee, George W. Lee, K.C. Lee, Lloyd Lewis, Oliver Locke, T. B. Lipscomb, L. Mathis, J.B. McDonald, Anson McKellum, V.B. Phillips, D. S. Roseborough, J. S. Sims, Virgil Smith, Henry Waddell, Noble Ward, Edgar Washington, I. Williams, John I. Williams, Milton Williams, Henry Anthony, Jim Riley, Spencer Wilson, Price A. Wren,’ Thomas Wright, Sam Gage, and I. Sims.
In May 1954, the Reverend L. Butler Nelson, pastor of the First Institutional Baptist Church of Phoenix Arizona, was called as pastor of Salem Baptist Church. Upon accepting the call, he found the church discouraged, almost without faith in themselves, and very little confidence in any minister. Rev. Nelson led the church in buying a new site for the present building. Due to Rev. Nelson’s leadership and the divine guidance of God, Salem had a church house of worship almost debt free. In 1963, a new church and educational building was constructed at Eugene, Latimer, and Crozier Streets.
From July 1, 1954 to March 1968, the church made great progress internally as well as externally under the leadership of Rev. Nelson. The church became the sponsor of Mayo Kindergarten School at Eagle Ford in West Dallas. A storehouse for the needy was maintained and available to all races and all classes at all times. The church established a Scholarship Fund that assisted worthy girls and boys from the church through school, otherwise, they would be forced to drop out. Salem was also a strong supporter of the following causes: The National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.; Texas Baptist State Convention of Texas; Foreign Missions; Home Missions; Butler College; Bishop College; The Interracial Baptist Institute; The Galilee Griggs Memorial District Association; and the N.A.A.C.P.
It was also under Rev. Nelson’s leadership that Salem Missionary Baptist Church became known as Salem Institutional Baptist Church.
Reverend J. Whitlow Washington was selected by Pastor Nelson to fill the Salem Baptist Church pulpit when he fell ill. Rev. J. W. Washington was installed as the 18th Pastor of this great church in April 1969. Rev. Washington served for 21 years and during his administration, approximately $37,500 of church indebtedness was liquidated, a parking lot was added to the church property, a Maxie Van Bus, new pew cushions, and a new Leslie speaker for the organ were purchased. A special memorial monument was built for $500.00.
In 1990, Reverend Michael L. Easley accepted the call to pastor and served for two years.
In 1993, Reverend Abraham E. Campbell, Jr., pastor of the Temple Baptist Church in Cleveland, OH, accepted the call to become the 20th pastor of Salem Institutional Baptist Church. Dr. Campbell made an impact throughout the evangelical community and the nation, with riveting sermons that stirred the soul. Dr. Campbell laid to rest many, married several couples, baptized into the hundreds, accepted many into church membership by Christian experience, developed several new church auxiliaries/ministries, as well as counseled many and prayed for all. He served for seventeen years until failing health. In 2010 he was named Pastor Emeritus of Salem Institutional Baptist Church.
In May 2010, Reverend Todd M. Atkins became the 21st pastor of Salem Institutional Baptist Church. Pastor Atkins has inspired and encouraged many to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. He hopes to make Salem bigger and better in his Kingdom-Building process.
During his pastorate, the church has undergone several improvements, purchased a church bus, and developed several new ministries, purchased land adjacent to the church for future expansion and growth.
In August 2022, under Pastor Atkins leadership, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) recognized Salem Institutional Baptist Church as a significant part of Texas history by awarding it an official Texas Historic Marker. The designation honors Salem as an important part of African American culture and history within the South Dallas area and the United States.
Pastor Atkins has re-established Salem’s role in the community. He works tirelessly to build Salem’s congregational and community impact. His work in the community through the South Dallas Fair Park Faith Coalition, helps connect historically disenfranchised communities - with government and corporate entities - to positively impact economic and social growth in South Dallas. A new “telehealth pod” was installed at Salem in July 2024 and is intended to bring health care directly to neighborhood residents.
Today, Salem continues to be a beacon of hope and inspiration, providing a safe and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds to come together and grow in their faith. The church is committed to serving its members and the wider community, and it looks forward to many more years of ministry and service.
