A connection to the community has been a cornerstone of Elm Grove Baptist Church in Baton Rouge for over 100 years.
"We've done some things in the last 25 years, but certainly we didn't set any precedent," said the Rev. Errol K. Domingue, the church's pastor since 2000. "This church has been known to connect with the people who live around here."
The community has come to expect to have that connection with the church at 1069 N. 38th St., Domingue said.
"People ring our doorbell expecting answers and solutions to whatever problems," he said. "That's not because I've been here. It's long, long roots."
Elm Grove Baptist Church in Baton Rouge celebrates 100 years.
Elm Grove is celebrating its deep roots throughout this year with a series of events honoring both its rich history and bright future, as well as highlighting significant milestones in its faith, social and civic life. The church's 100th anniversary worship service is set for 8 a.m. June 29. The guest speaker will be the Rev. W. Marshall Myles, pastor emeritus of New St. John Baptist Church.
Domingue, 59, highlighted that for nearly 20 years, Elm Grove has actively engaged with the community by offering a Saturday worship and complimentary breakfast.
"We're very proud of the fact that on Saturday mornings we offer a worship service for our friends who wouldn't otherwise come to church on Sundays," he said.
Elm Grove isn't alone in regularly feeding the community, Domingue said, noting that nearby True Light and St. Mary Baptist churches offer similar outreach services.
"I often say nobody in this community should go hungry," he said.Â
Elm Grove Baptist Church Pastor Errol Domingue
Other Elm Grove programs center around revitalizing the community by fighting blight and the development of 13 acres into a mixed-use neighborhood off Greenwell Springs Road.
Another area of concentration is on the young people, Domingue emphasized.
"We're still focused on our young people, given the climate that politics have set by erasing Black people's history and so forth," he said. "We're still focusing on trying to provide that well-rounded education for people — not just our children."
For about 20 years, Domingue said Elm Grove has offered a six-week summer internship program, providing 20 to 35 teenagers the opportunity to gain valuable experience working with local businesses.
"The good thing is the church pays for it. These people decided that's what they wanted to do," he said.
Elm Grove has long encouraged people to be involved in every aspect of its community and advocate for justice, Domingue said.
"This church has been known for standing up for what's right. We're just trying to continue that legacy now," he said.
Domingue said his predecessor — the late Rev. Joseph Roberts Williams, who pastored the church for 48 years — was known for his bold stands during the height of the civil rights movement.
Williams once provided a model voting machine to help people better understand the voting process.
"He brought in tutors that would help people with those damnable (literacy) tests they sued to make (Black people) take in order to vote," Domingue said.
Domingue stands on the shoulders of Williams and builds on the longstanding traditions of taking on issues of justice.
"This pulpit was basically maintained by a genius," Domingue said of Williams. "Sometimes, it can be a heavy weight to carry, but thank God that we have people who see what we're trying to accomplish and trying to build on that. That fairly sums up what we do here."
A goal is to give people the knowledge and power to stand for what's right.
"This is what we're up against when we talk about principalities and power and rulers of the darkness," Domingue said. "We encourage people to participate civically and go to public meetings. We try our best to take care of people's needs. It's not just about the preaching. It's about putting it into action."
Elm Grove was founded in 1925 in the home of George and Carrie Walks at 645 N. 38th St. (then known as Orange Street). The group was led by the Rev. I.H. Lusk, of Mississippi. Other pastors led Elm Grove over the years, including H. O’Dell (1928-34), Lusk (1935), J. Cyrus (1935-36), Joe White (1936-38), A. L. Pitcher (1938-41 and 1944-52) and Alphonse Patterson. Williams took over in 1952 and guided the church for 48 years until his death in 2000. For more information, visit .
Email Terry Robinson at terryrobinson622@gmail.com.
