The story of The Avenue is one of faith’s endurance, vision’s

power, and the unifying work of God across generations.

What is now known as The Avenue began as two historic

congregations—Western Avenue Baptist Church

and Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church—each with

its own remarkable legacy of ministry in Cambridge, MA.

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The Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church (MABC) was founded in 1890, when a small group of believers began what was then known as Mount Olive Baptist Church. In an era marked by segregation and limited opportunity for African Americans, these men and women created a sacred space where Black Cambridge residents could worship freely and find spiritual and communal strength. After several years, they built a new facility facing Massachusetts Avenue and adopted a new name—Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church. Progress did not stop there: in 1923, the congregation purchased its current home at 146 Hampshire Street, establishing a lasting home for worship, community, and service. Under the leadership of Rev. J. Henry Duckrey, a civic leader and associate of Booker T. Washington, the church became a beacon for education, empowerment, and faith among the growing Black population in Cambridge.

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The Western Avenue Baptist Church (WABC) was founded in 1916, when a group of faithful parishioners purchased a former horse and livery stable and transformed it into a house of worship. Their vision and sacrifice established a strong spiritual foundation that would serve the community for generations. WABC became a vibrant gathering place for those migrating from the South and the Caribbean during the early twentieth century—offering belonging, stability, and a profound sense of hope rooted in the Gospel.

 

Throughout the twentieth century, both MABC and WABC became vital spiritual and cultural institutions in Cambridge. MABC’s Project Manna Food Program became a leading example of compassionate outreach, feeding and caring for those in need, while WABC grew as a center for strong preaching, musical excellence, and intergenerational ministry. Both congregations raised leaders, shaped lives, and stood as pillars of faith within the broader Black community.

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Beginning in the 1990s, local clergy and congregations made an effort to form a combined Baptist fellowship of churches in Cambridge, envisioning greater unity and collaboration among the city’s historic Black congregations. Though the effort did not fully take root at that time, the spirit of that dream remained alive within both WABC and MABC—planted like a seed waiting for God’s appointed season.

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In 2011, that seed began to stir again when Reverend Dr. Jeremy D. Battle became Pastor of Western Avenue Baptist Church. A scholar, preacher, and musician, Dr. Battle brought revitalization and growth—leading over $1.4 million in renovations, restoring the church’s historic property, expanding community partnerships, and guiding the congregation into renewed spiritual and organizational strength.

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Meanwhile, Reverend Brenda Ann Brown, a lifelong member and faithful servant at Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church, was ordained as Senior Pastor in 2015 after more than thirty years of dedicated service. Her ministry was marked by grace, integrity, and compassion. Under her leadership, MABC deepened its outreach through Project Manna and strengthened its presence in the community. That same year, she received the NAACP Community Service Award for her extraordinary work across Cambridge and beyond.

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A renewed sense of partnership between the two churches began to blossom in 2023, when Western Avenue Baptist Church utilized the MABC sanctuary for its church anniversary celebration. The event featured national gospel recording artist Zacardi Cortez and symbolized more than just a shared space—it was a powerful expression of fellowship, unity, and God’s providence at work. The success of that moment reignited the possibility of deeper collaboration between the two congregations.

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In January 2025, Western Avenue Baptist Church began exploring plans for expansion and growth amid rapid ministry development and increased attendance. Around that time, Pastor Brenda Brown extended an invitation to Dr. Battle and the WABC congregation to join MABC for a combined Holy Month Fellowship—a sacred time of worship and renewal. During that gathering, Pastor Brown declared, “God is doing a new thing.” Her words would prove prophetic.

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In May 2025, following months of prayer, discernment, and shared worship, Reverend Dr. Jeremy D. Battle was duly elected Senior Pastor of the Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church, while Reverend Brenda Ann Brown was honored as Pastor Emeritus in recognition of her years of faithful and transformative leadership. Together, they led both congregations into a new era of unity known as The Avenue—the official and formal partnership and merger of Western Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Churches.

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Today, The Avenue stands as a living testament to God’s faithfulness and the power of divine timing. It is a place where history meets hope, where worship and community intertwine, and where the prayers of generations past are being fulfilled. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Battle and the enduring spiritual guidance of Pastor Emeritus Brown, The Avenue continues to grow as a vibrant, intergenerational ministry rooted in love, justice, and the transforming grace of God.

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