History of the Light House Baptist Church
Bishop Jerry D. Goodloe, Founder
Bishop Jerry D. Goodloe was born on January 17, 1923 in Nashville, Tennessee. He later relocated to Detroit, Michigan where he attended primary and secondary school.
In 1945, he moved to Chicago, Illinois and later joined the Liberty Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. D. Z. Jackson. In 1948, he moved his membership to the First Church of Deliverance under the pastoral care of the late Rev. Clarence Cobbs. While there, he served as a member of the choir.
He was always musically inclined and from his early days took music lessons, to play the piano, learning to play gospel hymns from the old hymnal “the Gospel Pearl.” After leaving First Church of Deliverance in 1955, he became affiliated with Strangers Home Missionary Baptist Church under the late Rev. J.W. Brown where he played the piano. He later joined the well known Haynes Singers from the west side of Chicago and afterwards was instrumental in organizing the Chicago Gospel Pearls.
In 1956, he made a monumental decision, one that would shape the remainder of not only his life, but also the lives of others. That year, at the age of 39, he confessed his calling to the ministry. Wanting to be fully grounded in God’s word in order to expound the Word of God to others, he enrolled in the Moody Bible Institute to pursue his religious education.
In 1959, he was ordained to preach the Gospel by Rev. J.W. Brown. Feeling the need for additional education, that year and in subsequent years, he did further study at the Chicago Baptist Institute, Northern Religious College and Houston Texas Theological Seminary.
In 1962, he answered his calling to “help God’s people and on May 11, 1962 Light House Baptist Church was organized. The first meeting of the newly formed church was held in the home of Mrs. Mae Nelson Lewis located at 6036 S. Calumet Ave., Chicago, Illinois. At this meeting, four individuals, Mrs. Mildred Bailey, Mrs. Nellie Burns, Mr. Eddie Hill, and Mr. Arthur Mingo, were united with Light House Baptist Church. The Reverend J. D. Goodloe was installed as Pastor.
Two days later, Mother’s Day May 13, 1962, the first service of Light House Baptist Church was held at 1014 West 69th Street. Before the service began, Pastor Goodloe and his members knelt in prayer at the door dedicating their humble beginning to the glorification of God.
Equipped for service and a readiness to build a kingdom for the glorification of God, Pastor Goodloe and his small membership visited many homes in the neighborhood talking with parents and inviting entire families to attend Sunday School and worship services. The Sunday School had its inception, Sunday, May 20, 1962, with five pupils and two teachers in attendance, including Pastor Goodloe.
Due to Pastor Goodloe’s and the congregation’s community outreach, the membership began to grow. Many young people joined the church; and once they joined, they began bringing their entire families to church. Several of the young people who joined during this period are still at Light House today along with their families.
On June 14, 1962, Pastor Goodloe organized the Gospel Choir with seven members. The choir membership soon began to grow. The Gospel Choir had its first musical on the third Sunday, August 19, 1962. The first musical was a great success. There were so many people in attendance that many had to stand outside on the sidewalk.
During these early years of growth, Pastor Goodloe served not only as the pastor, but also as the choir director, musician, and many times as the janitor. During the winter months he would arrive at church very early in the morning to start the potbelly stove that heated the church in order for members to be comfortable when worship service started.
From the very beginnings, Pastor Goodloe built Light House Baptist Church on the Word of God, loving one another, Sunday School and worshiping God in song. These are the pillars upon which Light House continues to stand today.
In 1963-1964 Pastor Goodloe received some well needed assistance, Rev. Pinkie Hamilton and Rev. Mother Effie Sumpter joined Light House and served faithfully unto their deaths.
The membership continued to grow and the pastor and members soon found they had outgrown the small space they were occupying. Because of this growth, in 1966 Light House moved to a larger storefront at 5940 S. Halsted Street. Within five years; however, due to the increased membership, the church had outgrown that space and again needed to move.
In September of 1971, God enabled Light House to purchase the property at 2415 East 75th Street which had a seating capacity of 500. In the 14 years spent there, the Lord blessed us spiritually and materially. He allowed us to renovate and refurbish the building to make the place of worship both beautiful and comfortable for all who attended the services and functions.
In 1981, under the leadership of Pastor Goodloe, minister of music Jerome Burks, and choir director Willie E. Quicksey, the Evangelical Concert Choir had the uplifting experience of recording the album entitled “I Can Go to God in Prayer”, with Ms. Albertina Walker, which soared to the number three slot on the national chart.
Two years later, in 1983, the Evangelical Concert Choir recorded a second album entitled “Tell it to Jesus” which was also a tremendous success. Pastor Goodloe and the Concert Choir carried our singing ministry to all parts of the United States, to name a few, Washington DC, Maryland, New York, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas and etc.
We shall always cherish the memories of 2415 East 75th Street and look back with joy and thanksgiving in our hearts.
In the year of 1986, the Lord saw fit that we again relocate because of the church’s growth. Light House purchased the property and buildings from 7935 to 7951 S. Exchange Avenue with a seating capacity of more than 700. So on Sunday, Mother’s Day, May 11, 1986 at 9:00 A.M., Pastor Goodloe and the Light House Baptist Church congregation along with several of the city’s leading pastors, well known singers, politicians, celebrities and friends joined in a parade and motorcade as we sang and praised God from our old location at 2415 East 75th Street to our new location at 7945 S. Exchange Avenue.
God’s blessings continued to shine upon Light House. Pastor Goodloe developed and implemented projects to renovate the church. In 1989, Rev. Martin Houston joined the church and became a part of the ministerial staff. During this time, Pastor Goodloe appointed seven devout men Ulysses Graham, Allen Graham, John R. Thomas, Floyd Cooley, Jim Blissitt, Albert Pullen, and Otis Williams as deacons. Jimmy Louis Slaughter, Jr., Jerry English, and Andre Arrington were later added as deacons. In 1995, Pastor Goodloe licensed Brother Darnell Kenerson to preach the Gospel. In 1996, he certified six young, prayerful women as missionaries. In 1999, he licensed Missionary Denise Kenerson to be an Evangelist. In 2001, he appointed eight dedicated young men as Armor Bearers to look out for the Pastor and his Christian Welfare.
In the mist of triumph, Light House also faced adversity. On November 15, 2005 the church caught fire and everything in the Sanctuary was damaged or destroyed. However, the Lord allowed the walls to still stand. After many prayers, many days, and much hard work, we were able to re-enter our newly renovated Sanctuary.
Our friends rallied around us offering words of comfort and material support during those dark days. We will forever be grateful for their generosity and support.
In 2010, Missionary Oddie Hunt was appointed Evangelist by Pastor Goodloe.
Our history would not be complete if we failed to acknowledge some of the honors bestowed upon Pastor Goodloe such as:
1. In recognition of his dedication and service to his church family, Sunday, November 20, 2011, was proclaimed Jerry D. Goodloe Day! In that service, he was proclaimed a Living Legend in recognition of his 50 years of toil and labor in the ministry.
2. On January 17, 2012, his 89th birthday, the City of Chicago honored Dr. Goodloe by changing Exchange Avenue to “Honorary Dr. Rev. Jerry D. Goodloe Way”, from 79th Street to 83rd Street.
3. On Friday, August 10 2012, Pastor Goodloe was consecrated and elevated to the sacred position of Bishop to the First Spiritual Churches of Truth Inc. International by his Excellency Archbishop Lucius Hall, Founder of the First Spiritual Churches of Truth, Inc. International of Chicago, IL.
4. On August 3, 2015, the Executive Board of the National Civil Rights Hall of Fame inducted Bishop Goodloe into the National Civil Rights Hall of Fame.
On June 6, 2013, Bishop Goodloe appointed a Board of Directors to direct and administer the affairs of the church.
Bishop Goodloe had an abiding love for children. He always stressed to them the importance of getting an education. He would also attend every child’s graduation whether it was from kindergarten or college. In addition, he would hold a ceremony at Light House to present each graduate with a gift. Moreover, he loved people and being around them. His favorite saying was” the only way to have friends is to show yourself friendly.” Furthermore, he taught us that “life can be beautiful; if you know how to live it; and the only way to live is by the Word of God.”
Bishop J. D. Goodloe made his transition on August 14, 2015 after 53 years of dedicated service in the ministry to Light House Baptist Church. Perhaps he didn’t fully realize the implications involved in the decision he made in 1959 to accept his calling to the ministry; that decision; however, as had a major impact on many people. Furthermore, the work he did at Light House was not in vain. His work can be seen today in the countless number of lives he touched; in those he brought to Christ; in those he helped to change their lives; and in the numerous pastors he counseled, mentored, and gave the opportunity to preach at Light House. The rich legacy left by Bishop Goodloe continues.
On October 29, 2017 Rev. Deon B. White was elected as the new pastor of Light House Baptist Church. Pastor White is only the second pastor to serve in the church’s now 58 years history. Pastor White is continuing the work started by Bishop Goodloe.
We pray that our ministry will forever be onward and upward.
