PASTOR JOHN HENRY MORRIS (Founder) - 1962-1967
Pastor JOHN HENRY MORRIS is the founder of this great church! Pastor Morris was a wonderful man of God and a visionary. Pastor Morris started Westside Baptist Church in 1962 along with his wife Sis. Dorothy Morris, their children and 30 members. The church was originally located at 802 W. 9th Street. In 1964 we moved to the old Mt. Zion Church building at 12th and Paca. In 1966 our cornerstone ceremony was held and we moved to 1941 W. St. Clair Street...in Haughville. In addition to being a great Pastor and Leader, Pastor Morris also served as a Police Officer. In August 1967 he was killed in the line of duty and went home to be with the Lord.
PASTOR WILLIAM EARL COLEMAN, SR. - 1967-2002
After the death of Pastor Morris, the congregation unanimously voted in Pastor Coleman, a man with a shepherd’s heart as our Senior Pastor (along with his wife, Sis. Thelma Coleman). Under his leadership our building was expanded. A fellowship hall, second floor offices, class rooms and two balconies were added. We later added a gymnasium and garage under his leadership. Because of Pastor Coleman’s passion and commitment to missionaries, the Church was renamed Westside Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Coleman was a man of prayer. Pastor Coleman became ill and was unable to continue in his pastoral capacity and was moved to Pastor Emeritus in 2000. He went home to be with the Lord in October 2002.
PASTOR DARREL HUMPHREY, SR. - 2002-2010
In September 2002 Darryl Humphrey was voted in as Senior Pastor. As a child, Pastor Humphrey and his family attended this church. He grew up in this ministry. Pastor Humphrey along with his wife Liz Humphrey and son served the congregation for eight years. Pastor Humphrey added our first female board members. He later went on to license female ministers. Because of problems getting to church on Race Day Pastor Humphrey started our Saturday Night Live Services. Pastor Humphrey resigned in March 2010.
PASTOR MICHAEL OLANDUS BRYANT - 2012-Present
In July 2012 Pastor Michael Olandus Bryant was unanimously voted in as Senior Pastor. Under Pastor Bryant’s leadership we experienced tremendous growth both numerically and financially. Our ministries were expanded greatly. Pastor Bryant is a man of faith. His faith was contagious to the congregation and led us to embark on a capital campaign that allowed us to move from our location in Haughville to our current edifice located at 6321 La Pas Trail on January 15, 2017. Pastor Bryant has a heart for children and the community and in August 2017 we opened Westside Little Wonders Childcare Ministry and we hold summer camps each year. Pastor Bryant continues to lead, love, and serve the congregation as Senior Pastor.