The St. John's Baptist Church of Lawton, Okla., began in 1948. Rev. T.O. Mitchell, who was pastor of Union Baptist Church, was led to organize another church. So, in July of 1948, the land was purchased, and St. John's was born.

Rev. T. O. Mitchell was the first pastor and founder of the St. John's Baptist Church. He started with a small band of enthusiastic believers. The first small frame building was erected at the present site (1501 SW Roosevelt Street, Lawton, Oklahoma). The membership began to grow. But in 1952, the building was destroyed by fire.

However, in January 1953, ground was broken for a new building. Times were hard, and progress was slow; but, in July of 1955, a new brick building was completed. After moving into the new building, Pastor Mitchell and members continued to do additional work to the church. St. John's grew and prospered, becoming one of the best-known churches in the city and surrounding areas.

In 1962, Pastor Mitchell fell into ill health. The church carried on bravely, many times suffering set backs during the illness of the pastor. And in 1964, death claimed Pastor Mitchell. He led St. John's Missionary Baptist Church from 1948-1964.

Dr. Jesse Lee Davenport was born on 2 October 1935 in Mayo, Fla., to the late Jesse David Davenport and Fronie (Bell) Davenport.

Young Jessie moved to Frederick, Okla., and united with First Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. D. D. Chatman. Brother Davenport was called to God’s ministry on 19 March 1963 and was ordained a Baptist minister in May 1965. As a man of faith, and with a mission, he accepted the pastorate of the St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, Lawton, Okla., in May 1965 and served faithfully as senior pastor for more than twenty-eight years. Dr. Davenport believed that the church grew by giving and helping others. He provided financial support to ministries and education at home and aboard. Many ministries were established and supported under his leadership, to include: prison outreach, feeding the hungry, battered women, Christian witnessing and youth training, single parenting, substance abuse, and sheltering the homeless. Brother Davenport was a renowned national, state, and local preacher. He crossed many denominational lines and barriers in reaching, preaching, teaching, and lecturing on the love of Christ. Many persons have confessed Christ as a result of his glorious crusades and revivals in parts of Hawaii, Europe, the Bahamas, the Philippines, and across this nation. He appeared regularly on KSWO Radio and TV, "Moments of Experiencing God’s Goodness" program for a number of years; KVRS Tuesday night broadcasts of "The Shepherd’s Voice," and Sunday morning radio worship services.

Dr. Davenport was, indeed, a great leader; but his role was not limited to leadership of the St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church. He was interested in the growth and development of his community and its civic affairs and made worth while contributions to that end. One of his greatest contributions in this community was spearheading the efforts to have a portion of Interstate 44 Expressway named in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His leadership responsibilities, career summary, and support to others was not limited to the Lawton-Fort Sill area but extended throughout the United States. Through Pastor Davenport’s prayers and the prayers of others and astute leadership, the church grew and prospered. St. John's grew from a one building structure to three buildings, with the additions of the Lawton Branch of the Oklahoma School of Religion and the Dr. J. L. Davenport Family Life Center (1993).

He served as a social worker with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health (1970-1985). From 1985-87, he served as an individual and family therapist with the Lawton Christian Family Counseling Center. His religious and professional affiliations include: President of Lawton Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance; Chairman of the Board of One Church, One Child, Vice-president at large of Oklahoma Baptist State Convention; Seminar Leader, National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, USA, Inc.; Oklahoma Baptist Congress of Christian Education and Western District Congress of Christian Education instructor, Director of Western District Leadership Institute, Director of Lawton Branch of Oklahoma School of Religion, member of Cameron University Foundation board of directors, Great Plains Improvement Foundation board member, member of Cameron Campus Ministry, member of Lawton-Fort Sill United Way board of directors, Northside Chamber of Commerce member, and past-president and life member of Lawton Branch of the NAACP. He was also a member of the National Association of Social Workers; a member of Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Lawton Municipal Airport Authority; and President of the Coalition for Minority Affairs. Dr. Davenport was a board-certified social work supervisor and a licensed clinical social worker.

He received many awards, honors, and citations for his untiring efforts in the fields of God’s ministry, Christian education, and public service -- a few among the many are: Who’s Who Among Black Americans, Personalities of the South, International Awareness and Involvement Award, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Award (1995), Omega Citizen-of-the-Year Award, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Award (1996), NAACP Outstanding Leadership Award (1986) NAACP Humanitarian Award (1987), Richard Allen Award for Community Service, Davis Chapel A.M.E. Church Award (1987), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Humanitarian Award (1988), Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award (1991), and Project Head Start Volunteer Award (1991).

Jesse Lee Davenport served honorably in the United States Air Force. His educational background began in the public school system of Mayo, Florida. After military service, he continued his education at Cameron University, Lawton, Okla., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history with a minor in behavioral science in 1970. In 1975 he graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master's Degree in psychiatric social work, with advanced studies at the University of Texas at Arlington. Further studies and educational honors include pastoral ministries at Oklahoma Baptist State University and theology studies at the American Baptist Theological Seminary. He received a Doctor of Divinity Degree from Morris-Booker Baptist Memorial College in Dermott, Ark.

On 22 December 1958, Jesse Lee Davenport and Bernice M. Webb were joined in Holy Matrimony in Frederick, Okla. Rev. J.L. Davenport and Sis. Bernice Davenport were a team. Their love for Christ and each other set high standards of leadership for the Church and the community. They were married for thirty-five years. The Lord blessed them with four Children: Valarie, Velina, Otis, and David Leigh. In early life, he met and married Lucy. Unto this union, four children were born, David Lawrence, Jesselyn, Joyce, and Jackie.

Life’s Race Well Run, Life’s Work Well Done; Life’s Crown Well Won, and Now He Rests." After thirty years of surrendering to God his heart and hands through which to love and serve humanity without reservations, the Rev. Dr. Jesse Lee Davenport entered into eternal rest on 14 January 1994.

Robert E. Fowler was born in Montgomery, Ala. on 23 December 1955. He is the son of Mrs. Eloise Moncrief Fowler and Alexander Fowler. Robert is the eldest son of the family of five, three boys and two girls. He was saved as a sophomore in college and received his call to the preaching ministry that same year.

In his immediate family, Dr. Fowler is married to the former Ms. Joyce A. Mitchell. They have two sons, Robert Jr. and serve as the guardians over her brother's son, Jeral Mitchell.

Brother Fowler's church background has been with the Baptist Church in Alabama. His great grandmother was the Mother of the Church at Canaan Baptist Church of Montgomery. His grandmother continued the trend and is currently a Sunday school teacher at the St. Stephen's Baptist Church of Louisville, Ky.

Doctor Fowler was educated in the Arizona Educational School System and graduated with a B. S. from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz. He enrolled in Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary of Fort Worth, Tex., in January 1981 and received his Master's in December 1983. He received his Doctorate of Ministry from the Tynedale Theological Seminary in May 1990. He also served as the Chairman of Cult Studies and has taught extensively in that discipline.

The author of  three books, "The Cultic Seduction of Black Americans," "What the Bible Says about Healing," and "Great Faith," Dr. Fowler is a much sought after lecturer and campus speaker. He also has addressed National Conferences and Conventions.

The Rev. Dr. R.E. Fowler was elected pastor of the St. John's Missionary Baptist Church on 20 September 1994 and began his pastoral duties on 1 November 1994. We praise and thank God for Pastor Fowler and family.

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Contact Information

Telephone:

(AC-580) 357-3542

FAX:

(AC-580) 248-1001

Postal address:

St. John's Missionary Baptist Church * 1504 SW N. H. Jones Ave., * Lawton, OK 73501

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Last modified: October 02, 2008