1920-2020
Eastern Star Church
Celebrating 100 Years
1920: Where it All Began
In October of 1920, a group of Christians started meeting at the home of Rev. Anthony Johnson as a mission. They later moved into a building at 1200 E. 17th Street where Rev. Wilson Bell led worship services. In 1921, the mission adopted the name Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Charles Poole was chosen to be pastor. The group, which focused on Christian work, service and missions, later moved to a small storefront building at 2201 Columbia Avenue.
1932: From Storefront to Established Church
During Rev. Weeden’s tenure, he led the Eastern Star Church congregation in constructing a new building in the same location. The new building was completed in 1941 and was officially located at 2203 Columbia Ave. in the Martindale neighborhood of Indianapolis.
1932: A Spiritual Leader
Rev. John T. Weeden, who felt led to serve as pastor of the new Eastern Star Church, was often described as a very spiritual man and a dynamic speaker. Under his leadership, recalls Sister Mary Barnett, “Eastern Star Church was a friendly, helpful place; there was a lot of love and caring for one another. Rev. Weeden and his children frequently sang together and his wife, Gladys, accompanied them on the piano. He left in 1948 to become pastor of St. Timothy Missionary Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained for 41 years.
A New Era
1948: Navigating Change
Following Rev. Weeden’s departure, Rev. Perkins C. Owens — an associate pastor — was chosen to as pastor of Eastern Star Church. Described as a nice, quiet Christian man who was devoted to the Word of God, Owens introduced adult men and women’s Sunday School classes and a week of prayer services preceding revivals. He left the church in 1960 after 12 years of service.
1960: Growing & Building
Rev. William M. Robinson of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tenn., was chosen as pastor. With a strong and energetic personality, he infused new life into the church and prompted important changes — including preaching, encouraging tithes and offerings and increasing a sense of accountability. Membership grew to 500. Robinson passed in 1980.
1968: A Building Fund
The congregation, which was quickly outgrowing its space, started a building fund. As a result, members were able to move into a new building on Easter in 1968.
1975: A Mortgage Burning
Less than 10 years later, the 15-year mortgage on their new building had been paid off and the church had no debt. Members held a Mortgage Burning Service on Oct. 5, 1975 under Pastor Robinson’s leadership.
Growth
1983: Staying the Course
Following Rev. Robinson’s passing, several short-term leaders filled the pulpit at Eastern Star Church. In November 1983, the church installed the Rev. Joseph Carter as its new pastor. The church continued to grow, with membership reaching 900 in 1984. Unfortunately, health complications led to Rev. Carter leaving in 1986.
1988: Changes Within
Jeffrey A. Johnson, Sr., was voted in as pastor of Eastern Star Church on April 7, 1988. At the time, the church had a total membership of about 600. The church embraced its mission around Matthew 28:18-20 and added “Where Jesus is Exalted and the Word is Explained to further identify its ministry.
1990: Growing & Outgrowing
Eastern Star Church grew by an additional 525 members in 1990, which prompted members to invest in the construction of a new building. The following year, another 558 new members joined the church.
1992: Further Expansion
The church voted to sell its building and relocate to the property at 5750 E. 30th St. A third service was added at 9:30 a.m. at the Radisson Hotel at Keystone at the Crossing. The church welcomed 724 new members.
1994: A Time of Praise
Members of Eastern Star Church marched into their new building on 30th Street on Sept. 18, 1994. Pastor Johnson remarked: “As we pulled up to the new church, the sight was overwhelming. The line of people was so long that it stretched around the entire perimeter of the church: the beginning of the line and the end of the line met at the same place. In that first day, we were already at capacity.”
God’s Glory
1994-1995: Investing in Education
Eastern Star Church, recognizing the importance of a quality Christian-based education, added the full-time JEWEL Childcare/Preschool ministry designed for infants through kindergarten. A few months later, the After-School Enrichment Program was added for children from the housing community across the street. The JEWEL Childcare/Preschool ministry lasted for 21 years. In 1995, the JEWEL Summer Enrichment Program started to support academics, arts and sports for children through the summer. The elementary school, JEWEL Christian Academy also started in 1995 with the addition of first grade. Additional grade levels continued to be added over time to the fifth grade. JEWEL Bible Institute was also initiated to offer classes on finances, marriage, parenting and the Bible.
1995: New Leadership
Deacon Robert E. Wright assumed the role of Business Administrator, a step which assisted the church in operating more effectively.
1995: Expanding the Ministry
Pastor Johnson’s established the church’s global outreach, with a mission trip to Liberia and, later, to South Africa, Jamaica and Haiti.
A Vision
In 2001, JEWEL Human Services began to meet the needs of the less fortunate by providing emergency services, food and clothing.
With a vision of planting churches to increase outreach, Eastern Star Church plants its first church — New Life Worship Center in Indianapolis in 2001.
In 2003, Eastern Star Church dedicated the Fishers Campus building at 8850 E. 106th St. with a celebratory worship service.
“So many people worked hard to bring us to this point. This is about the future, about leaving something for our children.”
In 2004, Eastern Star Church planted its second church, New Beginnings Fellowship Church, with Pastor James A. Jackson as the Senior Pastor.
In 2005, Eastern Star Church acquired and renovated the building at 5719 Massachusetts Ave. and relocated the JEWEL Human Services staff from the church building to better meet the needs of the community.
Following a devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Pastor Johnson leads a small delegation to help. It marks the start of a long-term relationship to address the needs of the country.
In 2006, the church planted its third church, New Horizons Church, with Pastor Eric Wiggins as the Senior Pastor.
Pastor Johnson’s family is instrumental in keeping him grounded while at the same time allowing him to soar to the heights God has wanted to take him. The congregation recognizes the love Pastor Johnson has for his family.
After many years of worshipping in a renovated warehouse at 7223 Woodland Drive Park 100, the church dedicated the Cooper Road Campus building at 5805 Cooper Road in 2011.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
In 2016, Eastern Star Church launched the Financial Freedom Institute (FFI) to provide a practical Biblical approach to managing the financial resources God has entrusted to the congregation. Through FFI, participants understand God’s perspective, plan and purpose regarding stewardship.
JEWEL Human Services is rebranded as Eastern Star Church Care though the mission remains the same — serving those in need locally and globally with emergency assistance, a food pantry, clothing and member care, including prayer, counseling and visitation.
We’re 100!
As Eastern Star Church nears its 100th anniversary, it unveils a renovation of its Main Campus sanctuary on 30th Street — a four-month project that included state-of-the-art technology. More than 1,000 people attended as part of an overflow celebration in December 2019.
Recognizing Senior Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson’s and Lady Sharon A. Johnson’s decades of service, members announce the gift of a Sabbatical in 2019. A planning committee is dedicated to working out the details of the six-month sabbatical, which is scheduled for July 2021.
View Our Centennial Celebration!
Watch our 100th Anniversary Celebration featuring Award-winning Gospel Artist Pastor Smokie Norful, who led us in praise and worship!
Share with Friends & Family!
Pastor Smokie Norful led us in worship and praise for all that God has done through Eastern Star Church for 100 years! The celebration also includes heartfelt messages from our Senior Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson, Sr., Lady Sharon A. Johnson, our elders, church council members, members, guests and more.