(Church history is an account of the past. Written accounts here were taken from Brother Isom Hood in 1937 gather from his mother, Mattie.)

The idea for a church on the East Side of town was born in the minds of two deacons of the Galilee Baptist Church, Bro. Will Harden and Bro. Joe Carroway.

On September 3, 1892, in the 300 block of East Freeman Street a group of dedicated Christians met for the purpose of organizing a church on the East Side of town, where no church existed. Those who attended the meeting were: Will Harden and wife, Lucinda, Joe Carroway and wife, Mattie, Gilford Hicks and wife, Kizzie, Caroline Lott, and several others whose names could not be remembered and Rev. J.P Ditto of Rockdale, Texas who was the moderator of the meeting. From this meeting Fourth Ward Baptist Church was born, becoming the first church on the East Side of town and the first to become affiliated with the New Baptist Convention.

The church meetings were held in the homes of members. Later, a permanent place of worship was established at the corner of Kaufman and Washington Streets. This remained the place of worship until 1904, when this present site was purchased from the City of Ennis, part of a land grant from Southern Pacific Railroad. For 25 years, 1904-1929, the Pioneer members remained steadfast and the membership of Fourth Ward increased.

In the spring of 1929, a fire completely destroyed the church building and all the church records. For several months meetings were held in the Saint Delight Methodist Church, now called North Side United Methodist Church, which was then located across the street (where Corinth Baptist Church is now located). Meetings were also held in the Masonic Hall on East Tyler Street. Building appeared unthinkable. There was not enough insurance. Banks and Loan Companiesrefused to grant the Church loan. But finally the Church was granted the funds to rebuiled after Brother J.J McDaniel and other church members met with officials of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Texas.

In 1930, the present building was completed under the Pastor, Rev. A.D Hewitt. THis was a time of rejoicing, but not the end of sorrow. The Stock Market crast of 1929 brought on the “Great Depression”, which greatly affected the members of Fourth Ward. It became difficult for the Church to meet its mortgage payments. There were times when there was barely enough funds to pay the light and fuel bills. Fourth Ward was threatened with foreclosude many times. But by the Grace of God, the Church doors remained open.

In 1935, a native son, Rev. Jesse Conner, was called to pastor Fourth Ward. He was given a weekly salary of $5.00, whuch he gave most of back to the Church. Rev. Conner was an excellent financial advisor as well as spiritual leader. Rev. Conner moved to Oklahoma, where he continued his work for the Lord.

In 1949, under the leadership of Rev. W.B. Smith, the church debt was paid. A note-burning celebration ws held that year at the annual Homecoming services. The Rev. A.L. Moore, Pastor of the Second Mission Baptist Church of Corsicana, Texas, delivered the Homecoming sermon. During this period the church was very active in the North Texas District Association and with the help of local church of the district, Ennis became the site for District meetings.

In July 1956, Rev. James H. McNeil, another native son, was called to pastor Fourth Ward Church. The Church continued to word, pray, and prosper. In 1967, the lots adjacent to the church building were obtained from the family of J. J. McDaniel. In 1974, the Church acquired the remainder of the 1300 block of North Shawnee Street. A house, purchased from the Ennis I.S.D was placed on the lot, which now serves as the Church Parsonage. In 1975, the inside of the Church was completely remodeled. DUring this period, six deacons were ordained. In 1985, Pastor McNeil was taken very ill. Another native son, Rev. Ronnie Potter was called upon to serve as associate pastor. He served several months until he was called to pastor another church.

In recognition of the historical importance of Fourth Ward Church, the Ennis Heritage Society awarded the Church the Historical Landmark Plaque. Rev. James McNeil retired in September of 1990 after more than 34 years as Pastor. Rev. Steven E. Edwards was called to pastor Fourth Ward in December of 1990. Under his leadership six deacons were ordained and several members have been added to church memebrship.

Having been inactive in association work for several years, Pastor Edwards applied and was accepted in the Ellis Baptist Association. Fourth Ward was the first African-American church to be accepted into the Association.

Under the leadership of Pastor Edwards, the Fellowship Hall was remodeled, new chairds and kichen equipment were purchased, stained glass windows were installed, the parking lot was paved, and a new marquee was installed. Bible classes were initiated under Pastor Edwards. An aggresive Benevolence Ministry was begun in 1998 to support the church agencies of the city. At this time, agencies of the city supported include: Helping Hands, The Women’s Crisis Center, the Boys and Girls Club of Ennis, and the Ennis Cemetery Association. In 1999, Bro. Afisu Olabimtan donated new computer system to the church.

The year 1999 was one of transition. Reorganization of the Youth Department in the area of education took place. The greatest birth of that year was the “Standing in the Gap” prayer ministry which still meets on the First Saturday of each month. Interior renovations were completed to the parsonage and plans began for the exterior renovations to the exterior of the church building.

In late 2002, renovations to the exterior were completed with some minor upgrade to the interior. On October 6, 2002, Pastor Edwards announced his resignation after serving the church for 12 years. After Pastor Edwards’ departure, Bro. Kevin Haynes, Chairman of the Deacon Board, was charged with the dutyof the Pulpit Supply. On January 5, 2003, Rev. Don D. Robinson was called as Interim Pastor. On August 17, 2003, Rev. Robinson was called as Pastor of the Church.

During Rev. Robinson’s tenure in teh pulpit the church was blessed to baptize 23 people and more than 30 members were added. Morning Servce increased from 30 to 80 in attendance. Sunday School enrollment increased from 22 to 60 and co-teachers were added for each class. Bible Study increase from 12 to more than 30 and the church was blessed in 2004 to sponsor a Vacation Bible School. More than 200 children and youth attended over a three day period and more than 30 members were involved. Pastor Robinson resigned in July 2005.

In October 2005, Rev. Steven Edwards was chosen to serve as Interim Pastor. Rev. Edwarsd led teh congregation throughout the pulpit search. On May 7, 2006 the congregation called Rev. Steven Edwards as Pastor. Since Pastor Edwards return, new ministries have been added for couples, singles and youth. A Pastoral Advisory Council has also been established. The church, once again as recent as September 2006 received an award from the Ennis Heritage Society for its historical significance. In June 2008 another remodeling project was started and completed in 2009 making the facility more handicap accessible with a vision to continue improvements. Also 2009 brought 9 new members and 8 were baptized. A youth message was added to the morning worship each Sunday and a youth church for ages 10 and under. Bro. Ivery Johnson was ordained as decon.

In 2010 Bro. Larry Williamson was added to the Deacon staff and improvements to the parking area were made. To this date several new members have been added and another auxiliary, the P31 Jewels, yougn women ages 21 to 40 was established to enrich each others lives through fellowship and study. The year 2011 brough physical and spiritual growth to Fourth Ward: six converts were baptized, Bro. Stanford Busby and Bro. Don Hill were added to the Deacon staff. Bro. Larry Williamson presented and implimened a plan for increase visitation ministry to which Fourth Ward Deacons are actively involved. 2011 was also a year of resurgrence of our youth involvements; the youth returned to the choird gallery (Praise the Lord). Sis. Debra Kaye Busby, Sanctuary Choir President, made a great impact on this work. Christmas came early for the church in 2011 with the donation of our 1st church van from Bro. Afisu Olabintan. For the last few years, the church and its members have been active in the community ministry of “Give A Kid A Chance”, which is designed to assist children as they return to school. This is a holistic ministry that we are proud to be a part of. This has given us an opportunity to express the love of God in a practical way. July 2013 Pastor Edwards was selected to serve on the leadership team of EBA.

In 2014, the Lord continued to add to our church, “such as should be saved”. A total of 12 new members were added (8 adults and 4 teenagers). Our new website is up and running with Internet TV and live streaming. The Pastor and memebrs began praying early in the year regarding God’s Agenda for our church. June 23 through June 29, the Lord sent seven nights of teaching and awesome praise and worship each night. It was very faithfully attended and supported by the members of the church and the community. The men of God that blessed us should be noted: Bishop Jeffrey D. Thomas (Mt. Rose Church of Dallas), Dr. T.L. Brown (Ervay Cedar B. C. of Dallas), Pastor Dewayne Hicks ( Oak Grove B. C. of Dallas), Pastor A. C. Stapleton (Shekinah Tabernacle B. C. of Dallas), Pastor E. R. Murrell (Bethlehem B. C. of Flint, TX), Apostle Nathaniel Rainey (Jireh’s Tabernacle Worship Center of Mesquite) and Dr. Cedrick Stricklin (Graceland Community B. C. of Cedar Hill). Minister Willie Love preached on June 29, 2014 in our morning service. We are indebted to these men of God. The service of the Levites was vital to the success of the revival. We were instructed by anointed praise and worship leaders. Our music staff: Minister Kerry Brinkley (Organist), Sister Ebony’e McGee (Director) and Brother Denard Cox (Drums). Sister Ebony’e was instrumental in lining up a host of awesome worship leaders Tiffanie Pegues, Lashonda Watson, Certrell Russell, Jacqueline Samuel, Kerry and Chachita Brinkley.

During the revival God establised seven pillars of His agenda for us to be instituted and lived out: 1) To study His Word, 2) To love one another, 3) To be obedient, 4) To worship Him, 5) To be servants, 6) To be good stewards and, 7) TO be His witnesses. As we embrace these “seven pillars” we continue to reshape ministries and shift toward God’s agenda and not ours. The Vision for 2014 was to allow God to redirect our agenda to aligh with His. The pastoral staff with the addition of Minister Irron Searcy Sr. joining the church.

In 2015, the Lord blessed the church and Pastor Edwards with his first son in the ministry. Rev. Larry Williamson preached his first sermon on March 22nd. Pastor Edwards was also elected Vice President of the Progressive Ministerial Alliance. We want to be totally in step and in turn with God’s functioning and direction, to be led by the Holy Spirit to carry out God’s mandate for the church.

In 2016, we had two baptisms and we are scheduled to baptize two more after the printing of this program. This year was notable in that Pastor and Sister Edwards completed twenty-five years of service. There was a 25th anniversary celebration held at the Waxahachie Civic Center and the church blessed Pastor and Sister Edwards with a 7 night cruise to Alaska. In cooperation with the BGCT we are in the midst of plans for expansion of our facility.

October 2016 under the leadership of Rev. Larry Williamson we held our first “Restoring Hearts” Men’s Conference. In November 2016, the ROSE ministry sponsored their first women’s retreat, it was held at the Cournerstone Lodge in Rosser, Texas. Both of these events helps us to rediscover just how much work remains for ur to do.

All of our ministry leaders are taking more accountability as we seek to serve God faithfully. Through Pastor Edwards, the vision is plan and we will not be deterred, delayed or denied.

In the Spring of 2019, by the Grace of God the renovation began adding two upstairs restrooms located on the north side of the building. In addition to the two restrooms, classroom space was addedd ownstairs in the fellowship hall area. The renovation was completed and ready for use the Fall of 2020.

After serving faithfully for 31 years, Pastor Steven Edwards, preached his last sermon, and retired December 26, 2021.

God called Rev. Ed Massey as the new Pastor of Fourth Ward BC January 2, 2022. Rev. Massey preached his 1st sermons as Pastor January 2, 2022. Under the Leadership of Pastor Massey 7 members have been added to the churh family. July 16, 2023, Pastor Massey and 1st Lady Annette Massey celebrated their 1st Year Anniversary.

As Ministry Leaders and Members of Fourth Ward Missionary Baptist Church; we will continue to serve God Faithfully. Through our Pastor Rev. Massey, our vision is to take our Faith, Accountability, Dedication, and Commitment to the Lord to a higher level.