CHURCH HISTORY

The history of the Buffalo Baptist Church is preserved with the hope of inspiring our present and future congregations. It is our prayer that they will preserve the ideals and dreams of those who labored for so long enduring many hardships while working in this area of the Lord's vineyard. The word "Buffalo" means strength and stability, therefore the foundation of this church was organized on March 8, 1958, by the late Reverend Johnie B. Carr of Washington, D.C., Rev. Carr had a dream that one day he would become a Pastor of a church. He shared this dream with his wife, the late Mary E. Carr. She told him to follow his dream. He consulted the Chairman of the Deacon Board at the Mentrotone Baptist Church and began to tell him about the dream. The Chairman sent him to their Pastor, Rev. Shelton Lee and he gave Rev. Carr permission to organize his own church.

At that time there was a small but faithful band of worshipers, who all attended a meeting in the home of the late Deacon Sam and Pearl Wallace at #5 Rhode Island Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C. The following people were present and some were elected to be officers:

Rev. Johnie B. Carr - Pastor, Ms. Rachel Crews - Secretary, Sis. Vivian Cherry - Assistant Secretary, Deacon Sam Wallace - Chairman of the Deacon Board, Mr. Willie Jones - Treasurer, Mr. Thomas R. Carr - Assistant Treasurer, Sis. Mamie Garner, Sis. Doris Evans, Sis. Beatrice Brandon, Sis. Lelia Cauthen and Sis. Bessie Ward were members.

Bro. Booker T. Floyd gave Rev. Carr permission to use the building located at 1922 13th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., for the Buffalo Baptist Church first service. The church was named by the Pastor wife, Mary E. Carr, and the first worship service was held on March 9, 1958, and officiated by Rev. Johnie B. Carr. Sis. Katherine Robinson was the first mother of the church. The church received many new members and by the grace of God, a volunteer choir was organized and directed by Mr. Nail Crews.

Pastor Johnie B. Carr served thirty-six years and was called from labor to reward on August 26, 1994. After the passing of Pastor Carr, the church experienced several changes in leadership beginning with Reverend Vivian Cherry who served as interim pastor from 1994 - 1996.

Rev. Cherry has always shown a deep interest in the church from the beginning. We thank God for her and on Valentine Day 2006, we lost yet another dedicated and faithful servant of the Lord.

In July 1996, the church called Reverend James A. Simmons. The church relocated to 3401 Rhode Island Avenue, Mount Rainier, MD 20712. During his tenure, the church membership made great strides in terms of its membership and financial condition, after 2 years of service, Reverend Simmons resigned February 1998.

As the Buffalo Church family strives to continue to search for a new pastor in May 1999, the church called the Reverend Leroy T. Lee as the under shepherd, he was a firm believer in the Bible. In 2002, the church moved to its present location 3510 Rhodes Island Avenue, Mt. Rainier, Maryland. Thanks to him, the Buffalo Baptist Church was on a mission to complete God's plan by working hard in being true followers of Christ and spreading the "Good News" to everyone. Under his administration the Buffalo Baptist Choir was renamed to the JBC Ensemble to honor our organizer, Rev. Johnie B. Carr. Rev. Lee's greatest desire was to be submissive to God's will and served the Buffalo Church Family. On March 11, 2013, the Lord called Rev. Leroy Lee home after almost 14 years of dedicated service. He is especially remembered and loved by all. We are grateful for all his hard work and inspiration.

From March 11, 2013 to February 26, 2014, Deacon Larry Carr and the ministerial staff:

Elder Lisa Cunningham, Rev. Dollie Edwards, and Elder Edgar Todd held the church together and paved the way for our next leader.

On February 26, 2014, our new pastor the Reverend Dr. John B. McIntyre, Sr., was elected. He was official installed on January 10, 2015, and he now hold the torch that was lit by our organizer to ensure that this great institution will stand long to shelter worshippers, to save souls, and spread the Word of God throughout this great nation. Under his tenure, many improvements have been made for the better. Working and being more involve in the community along with the Mayor. Also a new women “Sanctuary Choir” was formed. Our numbers continue to grow as does our spirit and maturity. We must continue this work that has begun.

Throughout the years from 1958 to the present many of our members have gone home to be with the Lord. God has still been good to us and in the spirit of gratitude, we praise Him. We look back with pride and ahead with joy. We are thankful for a history of faithful service to Christ, a solid firm foundation that was laid many years ago. That foundation can best be characterized by our intense love for Jesus Christ, His Word and each other. Nobody can deny that God has brought us a long way. Each year brings on a new challenge; each new challenge is a reminder that the struggle for the up building of God's Kingdom is not over.

Join us in moving forward to a "Newness of Life" and reading about us on our website: (http://www.buffalobaptistchurch-maryland.org). 

E-mail Address: buffalobaptistchurch@yahoo.com

In Memory of our Pastor, Leroy T. Lee

October 29, 1943 to March 11, 2013

"Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Reverend Leroy T. Lee was a native of Washington, D.C. and he was born on October 29, 1943, to West Indies Mother Clarice Wilson. He was reared by his adopted parents, the late Reverend Shelton C. and Annie L. Lee. Upon confessing his belief in Christ Jesus, he was baptized by his adopted father who was then Pastor of Mentrotone Baptist Church in Southeast, Washington, District of Columbia.

As a youth, he was very active in the Sunday School, Junior Choir and other youth programs. As an adult, he sang with the SC Lee Ensemble and served as President and the Director of the Male Chorus.

He received his education through DC Public Schools and graduated from Armstrong High School. He also attended Strayer College in Washington, DC. His military service consisted of two years with the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968. Upon returning from military service, he worked for WJLA-TV Station and retired in 1993.

Rev. Lee received the call of God to preach the gospel. He delivered his initial sermon and was licensed on April 19, 1982 at Mentrotone Baptist Church. He was ordained as a Gospel Preacher on October 6, 1990. Rev Lee graduated from the Washington Baptist Seminary in 1985 and later attended Trinity College of the Bible Theological Seminary.

In 1980, Rev. Lee along with fellow church member Rosetta Thompson and other family members started a gospel group, “The Thompson Family Singers.” The group has shared the stages with various well known gospel artists. He was always on time for rehearsals and when it came time for their performance, he was always the first one dressed and waiting patiently to give God praise on the stage through songs.

In 1999, Rev. Lee was called to be the Pastor of the Buffalo Baptist Church where he remained the dedicated under-shepherd until God called him home on March 11, 2013, closing this chapter on the life of His loyal servant.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his mother, Clarice Wilson; step-mother, Frances Dobson; three sons, Calvin Trivers, Carlisle Gore and Corey Newman; five daughters, Tina Douglas, Lorinda Thompson, Loren Lee-Allen (Duane), Latrice Lee, Kimberly Robinson (Gary); two brothers, Barrington Malcolm and Sam Wilson (Debra); two sisters, Micheline Cristen (Raymond) and Kimmerie Lee-Allen (Hosea); twenty-five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.