About us
About Us
A Legacy of Faith. A Future of Hope.
Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church was founded in July 1926, when Reverend G. W. Alexander answered
God’s divine call to establish a sacred place of worship, fellowship, and service. The church’s humble beginnings took root at Crook Funeral Home, where Rev. Alexander was joined by a faithful group of pioneers — Brother Eugene, Sister Hearns, Mother Luvenia Judge, Sister Sarah Lofton, Brother Charles Edmon, Brother Tom Hicks, and Mother Matildie Gamble — united in faith to plant the seeds of what would become a thriving spiritual institution.
The congregation soon established its first home at 467 E. Bowen Avenue, marking the beginning of a historic journey. Mt. Pisgah quickly distinguished itself as a trailblazer in ministry, becoming the first African American Baptist church in Chicago to broadcast its services via radio, expanding its spiritual reach throughout the city. In 1953, the church extended its commitment to care and community by opening the Mt. Pisgah Nursing Home, located at 4228 S. Champlain Avenue — a powerful example of faith in action.
A defining moment came in October 1962, when the church family marched from their Bowen Avenue location to their current home at 4600–4622 South King Drive. This move symbolized not only a change in address but a renewed vision and growth in purpose, positioning Mt. Pisgah at the heart of Chicago’s South Side as a cornerstone of worship, leadership, and community service. Today, Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church remains steadfast in its mission to glorify God, spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and uplift our community. As we continue to honor our past, we also embrace the future
building on our heritage of faith, hope, and transformative love.
our Pastor
Rev. Dr. Ernest F. Ledbetter III is a third generation Pastor. He accepted his calling into the ministry at the tender age of 7 years old and at 12 years old preached his first public sermon. He received his Bachelors in English Studies with a Biblical Studies minor from DePaul University, graduating in the spring of 2010. Shortly before that, he was ordained and accepted his first pastoral role as Co-Pastor of the Greater Mt. Hebron Church.
In March of 2014 Rev. E.F. Ledbetter III would make history by becoming the youngest Pastor of the historic Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church located on the southside of Chicago in the Bronzeville community. Later that year in June 2014 he would receive his Masters of Divinity in Urban Community
Development from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. Awarded the prestigious John Perkins Scholarship, Rev. Ledbetter III was granted a full ride for his Masters Degree. He is currently in his Doctoral program, also at Northern Theological Seminary, studying New Testament Context and will receive his Doctorate of Ministry in 2021.
Within nearly 6 years as Pastor, over 1500+ new members have joined and 500+ have been baptized. With both a youthfulness and contemporary flair in addition to his strong Biblical knowledge and respect of church history, he takes pride in being able to bridge the gap for both young and old who want to get closer to Christ.
