The General Baptist Denomination in Flint, Michigan

As you drive around Genesee County today, there is no want for Cannabis businesses. Almost every street corner seems to have a store or grow facility. This was not the case when I was growing up. Flint during the 1950s to the 1980s was filled with Coney Islands, Banks and Churches. Churches were not only found on every street corner, but also tucked away into every neighborhood.

This phenomenon was the direct result in the number of people that moved into the neighborhoods from the south. Upon arriving, the new citizens not only wanted to worship in their familiar denomination with their old friends and neighbors, they also wanted a place of worship close to their homes.

I grew up in the General Baptist denomination, and we were guilty of starting many of the community churches in the area. In 1962, the denomination claimed nine locations in the greater Flint area, with additional congregations in Flushing and Fenton.

The nine Flint Churches were:
1. New Hope – Rev. Alfred Foust - 2106 Harwine
2. Ivan Court (New Home) – Rev. Bennie Hodge – 1102 W Hemphill
3. Fenton Lawn – Rev. Louis Medlin – 1143 W. Parkwood
4. West Flint – Curtis Dunn – 1011 Hammond
5. Atherton Road (New Testament) – Rev. Lee Jolly – G3269 E Atherton
6. Hopewell – Rev. Esco Malin – 1070 Knickerbocker
7. First of Flint – Rev. Bennie Hodge – 573 Mary
8. Rural – Rev. E.E. Harrison – G2512 Dye
9. Central – Rev. D. O. Roberts – 1002 Stocker

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