Highlights of the History of Knox Presbyterian Church

June 1926
Rev. H. Octavius Graham, who attended Lincoln University Seminary, was invited by the Presbytery of Baltimore to start a Presbyterian church in East Baltimore.

May 20, 1930

The Presbytery of Baltimore admitted Knox as an organized church. There were forty members at that time.

April 29, 1951

Rev. Graham led his congregation into the large building at the corner of Broadway, Biddle, and Gay Streets. The building contained a sanctuary, chapel, gymnasium, auditorium, library, offices, and two floors of classrooms.

1951–1974

Knox became an integral part of the community. Church and community members participated in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, basketball, and after-school clubs. Vacation Bible School and day camp were held each summer. One of the first Head Start programs was housed at Knox. The Sanctuary Choir, Deacon Board, Elder Board, Senior and Junior Ushers, Missionary Society, Youth Group, Sunbeam Choir, and other ministries were in place. Rev. Graham was a leader in the civil rights movement and led many church members in protests for racial equality.

June 1974

Rev. H. Octavius Graham retired after 48 years of service to Knox Presbyterian Church.
 

July 1975

Rev. Lonnie J. Oliver accepted a call to become the second pastor of the church. During his tenure, the congregation increased to over 300 members. Services were enhanced with the addition of The Tones of Faith gospel group and The Knox Chorale. Knox Outreach ministries expanded to include a soup kitchen, prison ministry, and emergency food and clothing program. Rev. Oliver began a $400,000 building fund to build a new church.

July 1, 1979
Rev. Oliver led the congregation to its newly built edifice at Preston and Eden Streets.

August 1, 1980

A proposal to acquire an assistant pastor resulted in Rev. Bernice Warren being sent to Knox to work with youth, seniors, and the outreach program.

January 1986

Rev. Gordon Marshall accepted the call to become the third pastor of Knox. He diligently led his congregation and continued evangelistic efforts to bring others to Christ.He established a group of church members as the Fire Committee, with the task of getting church members to pledge funds to pay off the mortgage early. “Mortgage Free in ’93” was the slogan. Under his leadership, much progress was made toward paying off the mortgage.

 

May 1992

Rev. Charles Thomas was installed as the Designated Pastor, and in 1994 he was installed as the fourth pastor of Knox. During his tenure, Knox became a partner with Bernard Harris Elementary School to help with tutoring and after-school needs. He continued outreach into the community and launched the Vision 2000 program to purchase nearby abandoned homes, expand the church property, and create a home for a family in need.

1995

Rev. Phyllis Felton was hired by the Presbytery to oversee a five-year effort called Harambee, which aided in outreach and work with other transitional churches in Baltimore. Her office was located at Knox, and she developed programs for after-school tutoring, leadership training, health, restoration, and other initiatives. She also brought innovative worship ideas to enhance Knox’s weekly worship services.
 

January 2001

Rev. Iris Lloyd-Tucker was called as Knox’s first woman pastor. She involved the church with the Oliver community and helped garner funds for the Dawson Safe Haven for Children House.

Rev. Tucker initiated The Maafa, a musical psychodrama depicting the journey of Black people from Africa through their history in this country. The performance included people from the community, other churches, and Knox. It was held at Knox for two consecutive years and drew standing-room-only crowds.

April 2007

Rev. Tanya Wade became the interim pastor for Knox. During her tenure, the music program was revitalized to include percussion instruments, Vacation Bible School was held jointly with a neighboring church, and plans were made for a Summer Fun and Enrichment Camp.

She was instrumental in forming new partnerships, including Johns Hopkins Hospital for an Organic Produce Market, Christ Our King Presbyterian Church of Bel Air, Maryland, for a Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway, and the Eastern District Police for the Jericho March and Transformation.

June 2011

Rev. Michael L. Moore, who grew up at Knox, accepted the call to return as its pastor. During his tenure, the church began new partnerships with other churches and organizations to help serve the community.
He initiated the New Church Redevelopment Team to explore ways to strengthen the church and build relationships within the congregation and the surrounding community. He led the team in applying for grants to support capital improvements, obtain needed technology, and develop programs benefiting the nearby school and community.

September 2020

Rev. Moore accepted a position at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Louisville, Kentucky.