Church History

In June 1975, after serving seven and half years at the New Salem Baptist Church, Reverend Joseph C. Aiken, Sr. resigned as pastor, stating “he would remain to fulfill his obligation with them until his resignation was effective on July 9, 1975.” 

On June 12, 1975, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Joseph C. Aiken, Sr. and twenty-nine believers organized the Upper Room Missionary Baptist Church at the Quaker Friends Home, Germantown and Cambria Streets. The first worship service was at 2948 Germantown Avenue on Sunday July 17, 1975. This establishment housed less than one hundred parishioners and served as the foundation for this ministry. The church began to grow and found it necessary to make plans for a larger facility. Reverend Joseph Fuller, pastor of Mount Sinai Tabernacle Baptist Church, served as an advisor to Bishop Aiken and congregation continually reminding the church of the necessity to remain unified. 

In search for a place of worship, we set our sights on a church building located at 10^th & Rockland Streets. The price of the building was $82,000.00 with a sale value $150,000.00; however, the ministry was in its infancy and funds were not available. Bishop Aiken contacted his longtime friend, Mr. Jacob (Jack) B. Baratan, owner of Temple Reality, soliciting his assistance for a more affordable facility. Through divine intervention, Mr. Baratan told Bishop Aiken about a building located at 7236 Ogontz Avenue. After much prayer, Upper Room claimed the building on January 7, 1976. With God’s favor, Mr. Baratan allowed the congregation to worship in this facility for 9 months without a single payment. After some initial renovations, the sanctuary was prepared for worship. We marched in on March 28, 1976, and made settlement September 6, 1976, with a deposit of $14,000.00. The establishment of Upper Room’s ministry in this particular building was especially significant, as the structure used to be an x rated movie theater. Remarkably, within three and a half years we burned the mortgage which was purchased for $25,000.00. 

The late Deacon John Davenport, who was a major contributor toward our settlement, presided as Chairman of the Deacon Board. Our beloved Deacon Davenport served his Upper Room family unselfishly until his death. Through his guidance and the efforts of willing workers, the construction of the church was well underway. The men and women worked untiringly on the carpentry and general maintenance of the church. 

Notably, Bishop Aiken served without a salary for six months and later received a meager stipend for approximately two years. Whether in lack or abundance, Bishop Aiken has worked selt1essly as the Shepherd of this house, making several personal sacrifices to fulfill God’s vision for this local church body. 

Over the past 43 years, the Church has grown exponentially in spirit in spite of size. With over seventeen Ministries, Ordination of two sons as pastors, Licensing of several Ministers and ordination of many Deacons -the Upper Room church family has as its greatest commission to win souls for Christ and contribute to the building of God’s Kingdom. Garnering the reputation as The Friendliest Church in Town, there is definitely a sweet spirit in this place, and with the favor of God and leading of the Holy Spirit, this ministry will continue to “Build a Kingdom Focused Church”.