Our History
“A Church Where The Bible Comes Alive”
A Firm Foundation
After the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and the end of the Civil War, families of color settled in communities across Arlington. Moses Pelham, Sr. settled in the area around 1871 and established land that became known as Pelham Town. Founded in 1879, Mount Salvation Baptist Church began with prayer and praise services held in local homes before building its permanent sanctuary. Across nearly a century and a half, Mount Salvation has stood as a beacon of faith, fellowship, and service.
Chronological History & Leadership
Leaders & Servants of Mt. Salvation
Deacons & Leadership
Early Laymen & Workers: Gilbert Robinson, Clarence Green, Thomas Myers, Charles Clark, Joseph Webster, Sarah Webster Jones, Maria Moten, Moses Pelham, Jr., Burrell Pelham, Willis Spriggs, Alexander Page, Abraham Williams, Robert Elliott.
Deacon Chairmen & Notable Deacons: Deacon William Pelham (“Father of the Church” & Chairman Emeritus), Deacon Solomon Davis, Deacon Edward Garnett, Deacon Harry Strother, Sr., Deacon William Johnson, Deacon Fred Bowles (Current Chairman). Additional Deacons: Robert Anthony, Thomas Vaughn, George Carter, Sr., George Carter, Jr., Melson Porter, James Anthony, Ben H. Moody, Sr., John Saunders, George Davis.
Deaconesses & Trustees
Deaconesses: Chairladies Elinor Chinn, Luida Daniels, Amanda Lewis, Willie Jean Moody. Current Chairlady: Deaconess Sharon Pope. Additional Deaconesses: Frances Pelham, Edith Hansborough, Marie Thompson, Shirley Henderson, Daisy Johnson, Margaret Richardson, Louella Garnett, Kate Robinson, Anna Harrington, Pansy Anthony, Lucretia Lewis, Cora Leach, Annie Baskins, Mother N.R. Richardson, Catherine Penny, Ada Woods, Idella Carter, Virginia Goode, Mattie Vaughn.
Trustees: Solomon Davis (Past Chairman), Lawrence Williams, Jr. (Current Chairman), Frederick Ewell, Abraham Williams, William Jackson, James Roberson, William Jones, Clovis Chinn, Fred Davis, James Williams, Lawrence Williams, Sr., Louis Jones, Thomas Otey, Granderson Clark, Melvin Leach, Ebert Lewis, Cortelyou Hansborough, Joseph Taylor, Sr., Elmer Craig, Jesse Thompson, Howard Pullen, Sr., James Cooper, Howard Pullen, Jr., James Pelham, Eunice Carter, Callie Chandler, Harry Strother, Jr., Connie Gregory, Terry Brown, Vonda Richardson.
Officers, Music & Auxiliaries
Clerks: William Hungerford, Addison Williams, Nathaniel Jones, Lucretia Lewis, Caroline Whaley, Idabel G. Jones, Mildred Green, Shirley Strother-Henderson, Evelyn Hendrick Fortune. Current: Deaconess Portia Haskins.
Superintendents: Horace Shelton, William Hungerford, Thomas Thompson, D.B. Anderson, Fred Ewell, Caroline Whaley, Rev. James E. Browne, Sr., Idabel Jones, Ethel Thompson, Nathaline Richardson. Current: Virginia Slack.
Treasurers: William Jones, Robert Elliott, Alexander Page, Solomon Davis, Thomas Vaughn, Howard Pullen, Sr., George Vaughn, Sr., Callie Chandler. Current: Trustee Jeanette Huffman.
Financial Secretaries: Amelia Page Edwards, Wanda Sue Moody, Velta Pelham, Pearl Daniel. Current: Virginia Slack.
Musicians & Singers: Elizabeth Williams, Sarah Spriggs Douglas, Vandoria Moten Tyre, Ruth Ward, Edith Hansborough, Bernice Anthony, Rosalyn Jones Harris, Juanita Ratliff, Gloria Powell, Kathryn Young, Ilona Epperson, Joyce Dawkins, Wanda Sue Moody, Lawrence Williams, Sr., Rev. Edren Bryan, Betty Green, Kevin Taylor, Kenneth Epperson, Jr., Ashley Johnson, Archie Borgus, Charles Merriweather, Dr. Scott Edwin Taylor, Ben Moody, Jr., Calvin Faggins, Terris Gregory, Micah Gregory, Kenneth Epperson, Sr., Connie Gregory, Abraham Williams, Marion Mooney, Marie Byrd, Ruth Spinner, Eva Smith, Alberta Robinson, Ben H. Moody, Sr., Willie Jean Moody.
Usher Board: Presidents Elizabeth Johnson, Sarah Spriggs Douglas, Hylinda Bowles, Clovis Chinn, Gertrude Spriggs, Katie Spriggs, Patience Spriggs, Idabell Jones, Bessie Clark, Bessie Peters, Helen Webb (President Emeritus), Melvin Leach, James Pelham, Linda Allen, Dorothy Robinson, Deacon Frank Terry. Current President: Trustee Terry Brown.
Sons, Daughters & Associate Ministers
Sons & Daughters of the Church: Rev. Clarence C. Gray, Rev. James E. Browne, Rev. Larney King, Rev. Norris Burrell, Rev. Leonard Frazier, Rev. Edren Bryan, Minister Ralph Pierce, Rev. Larry Summers, Rev. James Powell, Jr., Apostle Barbara Vaughan.
Associate Ministers: Rev. Edward Daniels, Minister George Gaskins, Jr., Rev. Harvey Henderson, Minister Shirley Henderson, Minister Franklin Brewer, Rev. Booker Taylor, Rev. Phillip Taylor.