IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION congratulating Macedonia Baptist Church on its 110 Year Anniversary.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 22209, March 16, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Donna Peyton, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, in 1916 Pastor Charles S. Sanders, a devoted member of Second Baptist Church in Independence, Missouri, answered the call of the Lord to organize a mission at 2104 Harrison Street, a mission that would later become Macedonia Baptist Church; and;
WHEREAS, Pastor Sanders faithfully shepherded the congregation for seven years, followed in 1923 by the brief but meaningful leadership of Pastor Jackson Smith and Pastor L.C. Rice; and,
WHEREAS, on September 23, 1923, Pastor Preston Allen, Sr. was installed as pastor, and under his visionary leadership the congregation purchased the Harrison Street facility for $800, made significant improvements, and triumphantly burned the mortgage in 1933; and;
WHEREAS, Macedonia Baptist Church continued to grow, purchasing its second facility at 2205 Troost Avenue in 1940, where the church nurtured ministries and inspired leaders, including Associate Minister Ike Richardson, who later founded Welcome
Baptist Church; and,
WHEREAS, in 1955 the congregation purchased the historic Benton Boulevard Baptist Church at 2455 Benton Boulevard for $45,000, and on June 17, 1957, marched in a
joyful parade from Troost Avenue to their new church home; and,
WHEREAS, Pastor Preston Allen, Sr. retired in 1971 after 49 years of faithful service, and in 1972 Pastor Preston Allen, Jr. was appointed pastor, under whose leadership the church paid off its mortgage and was officially designated a Kansas City historic landmark, its building notable as the site where President Harry S. Truman was
baptized; and,
WHEREAS, Pastor Preston Allen, Jr. retired in 1996 after 25 years of dedicated service,
and Pastor Leslie Sims served as interim pastor until May 1997; and,
WHEREAS, on May 4, 1997, Pastor John Leslie Brooks began his pastorate, leading Macedonia through a season of tremendous growth, ministry expansion, and major renovations to the Benton Boulevard facility, while establishing new ministries, committees, and a church newsletter; and,
WHEREAS, under Pastor Brooks’ leadership, Macedonia expanded its staff, licensed ministers, ordained deacons, and launched the “Building the Wall - Macedonia 300” campaign, successfully raising $1 million toward a new church facility; and,
WHEREAS, in 2003 the church purchased land at 1700 E. Linwood Boulevard, broke
ground in 2007, and on August 31, 2010 received its Permanent Certificate of Occupancy; and,
WHEREAS, on October 16, 2010, the congregation and community marched in celebration from Benton Boulevard to Linwood Boulevard for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, marking Macedonia’s fourth church home in 94 years, with the first worship service held there on October 17, 2010; and,
WHEREAS, since moving to its current location, Macedonia Baptist Church has continued to flourish, completing Phase II and Phase III of its facility, expanding ministries for children, teens, and adults, launching international missions in Haiti and Slovakia, and strengthening its commitment to discipleship and community impact; and,
WHEREAS, throughout its 110-year history, Macedonia Baptist Church has remained steadfast in its mission “to lead men, women, boys, and girls to Christ” and its
vision “to see people saved, healed, set free, discipled, and deployed into the world to make disciples that will make disciples”; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Jackson County Legislature proudly recognizes and congratulates Macedonia Baptist Church on the momentous occasion of its 110th Anniversary, honoring its enduring legacy of faith, leadership, and service; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we commend the pastors, leaders, members, and supporters, past and present, whose devotion has strengthened the church and enriched the Kansas City community for more than a century; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be presented as a lasting tribute to Macedonia Baptist Church for 110 years of spiritual excellence, community impact, and unwavering commitment to the work of the Lord.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 22209 of March 16, 2026, was duly passed on ______________________, 2026 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________________ Nays ______________
Abstaining _____________ Absent ____________
_________________ _______________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature