Sweet Memories from the Past to the Present

contributed by Neil Hester

In 1923 a Mission that would later become Delaney Street Baptist Church was started by the First Baptist Church of Orlando. This little Mission church was originally begun in a tent located on the corner of Kuhl Avenue (now Orange Avenue) and Esther Street. After a few months meeting in the tent, two lots located on the northwest corner of Esther Street and Osceola Avenue were donated to the Mission by John Link. Soon, a 30-foot-by-40-foot wood frame Mission building was erected on that new site.

The Mission continued to grow, and by 1928 boasted a membership of 36 members. These 36 Charter members, under the leadership of our first Pastor, Reverend T. E. Waldrup, decided to form a church to be known as Delaney Street Baptist Church. On September 14, 1928, Delaney Street was officially founded.

By May 1929, Reverend T. E. Waldrup led us in the decision to move the little mission building to the corner of Delaney Street and Esther Street, since Delaney Street was the only paved road in the area at the time.

During the following 80-plus years, many changes took place. Delaney Street became Delaney Avenue. The little wood frame mission church grew in membership, and the Mission Church with its many additions was replaced in 1958 with our current Sanctuary. Additional buildings have also been added to serve the Christ-centered needs of our community.

Through these many years, we have continued the pioneering spirit of our foundering members in seeking ways to better share the Gospel with the lost. We remain a church dedicated to the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To this end, we have adopted and added many additional ministry opportunities. A sign on the back of the Pastor’s pulpit reads, “Sirs, we would see Jesus.”

We continue our traditional Sunday Praise and Worship, Sunday School classes, Discipleship Training, and the Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting. We have also sparked the new traditions of A Walk Through Bethlehem in December, a visitation program, monthly trips for seniors, and a ministry to the workers at the annual County Fair. We invite you to come and join us in taking part in our rich history and continuing dedication to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.