It was an unpretentious beginning. No fanfare, no grand ceremonies, no hue and cry: just a small group of devout Christians meeting in the modest Atlanta home of a fellow Christian on January 5, 1908, to discuss the affairs of Wheat Street Baptist Church. What happened as a result of prayer and discussion was something completely different. What happened was the beginning of "The Christian Movement" and the birth of Liberty Baptist Church.
On May 17, 1908, Liberty Baptist Church was organized as a Missionary Baptist Church. Liberty's original congregation was led by the Dr. J.W. Jackson, who began his pastorate on February 1, 1909. During Dr. Jackson's tenure, significant remodeling of Liberty's property was completed and more than $2,000 was raised to pay off the mortgage balance. Dr. Jackson served until December 14, 1914.
In January 1915, the Reverend T.L. Ballou was called as Liberty's second pastor. A great evangelist, Reverend Ballou served until December of that year.
Dr. Ernest Hall was installed as Liberty's third pastor on the third Sunday in August, 1916. During his ministry, the church building was remodeled and enlarged, and "The Daughters of Liberty" and the first male and female usher boards were established. Dr. Hall resigned in December 1925 to accept a pastorate in Cleveland, Ohio.
Reverend C.N. Perry was called as Liberty's fourth pastor on September 28, 1926. He served for four years until September, 1930. During his tenure, four church clubs were organized and The Liberty Echo began publication as the church newspaper.
In April 1931, Reverend James J. Clow accepted the call as Liberty's fifth pastor and began a five-year ministry. Liberty hosted one of the first Christian Leadership Training Sessions to be held in an African American church during that time. Rev. Clow directed the reorganization of the Baptist Young Peoples Union (BYPU) and the publication of a new church newspaper, The Liberty Bell.
In June of 1936, Reverend Burgay L. Davis was called as Liberty's sixth pastor and oversaw the burning of Liberty*s final mortgage, the reorganization of the BYPU into the Baptist Training Union (BTU) and organization of the Gospel Choir.
Reverend George W. Dudley became Liberty's seventh pastor on May 1, 1948, and played a major role in the expansion of church programs. He also oversaw publication of the church magazine, The Liberty Messenger. Reverend Dudley resigned in October 1957 to accept a call in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Dr. Melvin H. Watson, distinguished chairman of Morehouse College's Department of Religion was called as Liberty's eighth pastor on April 2, 1958. His administration saw increased emphasis on youth programs and Christian fellowship among adult members, increased member involvement in the community, and modernization of the physical plant. Dr. Watson retired on January 31, 1989, after 31 years which made him the longest serving pastor in Liberty's history. He served as Liberty's Pastor-Emeritus until his transition in 2006.
The church called Reverend John H. Cross to act as interim pastor effective July 1990. Rev. Cross brought to Liberty 35 years of experience, having served a portion of that time at the historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
Dr. John Sherman Pelt accepted the call as Liberty's ninth pastor on July 4, 1991. Dr. Pelt reorganized the Sunday School, reinstated the Wednesday evening Bible Study and oversaw the building of the new church structure. Dr. Pelt served Liberty until his transition in 2013.
Rev. Kewon M. Foster served as Liberty's tenth pastor after the death of Dr. Pelt. He served along with his wife and three children for one year and a half.
Liberty called Dr. Zeddie D. Scott to serve as interim pastor in 2017 and Dr. Scott accepted the call as Liberty's eleventh pastor in April, 2018.