Our doors are wide open! Please visit the Co-op City Baptist Church, and join us in fellowship. Services are held every Sunday at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., and Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Directions to the Church
You may use the Triboro, Whitestone or Throggs Neck Bridge;
After crossing bridge, follow signs which read "New England Thruway, I-95 North";
Stay on I-95 North to Exit 11 (Bartow Avenue). At stop light (Mobil Station across the street) make right turn onto Bartow Avenue;
Continue on Bartow Avenue (pass Emigrant Savings and HSBC Banks, Bay Plaza Shopping Center is on right side) straight underneath overpass, around deep curve into Section 5;
Make a left turn at first stop light, then a right turn into Garage Number 7.
Einstein Community Center is located on the left of the entrance of the garage (its back faces the side of the garage).
(The Church is located in the lower level of the Einstein Community Center)
THE CO-OP CITY BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
The Co-op City Baptist Church was founded by the Rev. Julius Sasportas on Sunday, November 21, 1971.The first worship service was held at 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 4 at 11:00 a.m. and nine (9) persons joined at that time.
As news of the presence of a Baptist Church spread throughout the Co-op City community, the congregation grew as more people joined.In the following weeks, a Senior Choir was organized, but due to the fact that we did not have a piano and no funds in which to purchase one, rehearsals were held in the Pastor’s home.
Our First Lady, at the time, the late Sis. Lola Sasportas, purchased the first set of hymn books for the choir.She was instrumental in initiating many of the ministries of the Church.
Our membership grew and we moved to a larger space at 2049 Bartow Avenue,
Room 29.Our first major goal to purchase a piano was successfully accomplished through many fundraisers and cheerful donors.
Our Sunday School opened its doors and still continues to serve our youth and adults through classes and activities.The late Sis. Edith B. Codrington was the first Superintendent.Deacon Joyce Hamilton-Williams is our current Superintendent.
The Missionaries were organized in the Spring of 1972 under the direction of the late Sis. Florence Phillips.A Senior Usher Ministry was also established and Sis. Lula Thompson was the first President.
In 1973, we moved to our present location here at 135 Einstein Loop, Room 50.During that year, a Trustee Ministry was set up and the Church was incorporated.Since we have resided here, various ministries were organized which included the Deacons Ministry, the Deaconesses Ministry, the Inspirational Choir, the Junior Usher Ministry, the Newsletter Ministry, the Pastor’s Aide Ministry, the Rev. Julius Sasportas Chorus, the Scholarship Ministry, the Willing Workers Ministry, the Youth Choir and we began our Building Fund efforts.
On March 7, 1982, Bro. Henry Profit became the Church’s first ordained Deacon.He served faithfully until his death in 1985.
Under the leadership of Reverend Sasportas, our membership increased and the Church prospered financially.We began a mini-bus ministry outreach in an effort to further the gospel of Jesus Christ in our Community.
In March 1992, the Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams was elected by the congregation to become the second Pastor of the Co-op City Baptist Church, after the retirement of our Pastor and Founder, the Rev. Julius Sasportas.
On October 4, 1992, Dr. Williams did become our new Pastor.Under his leadership, the Co-op City Baptist Church has continued to grow spiritually, financially and in membership.Additional ministries have been added under his pastorate such as the Building Fund Ministry, the Care and Comfort Ministry, the First Lady’s Ministry, where our First Lady, Sis. Marilyn C. Williams is the Advisor, the Fresh Flowers Ministry, the Hospitality Ministry, the “Just For Men” Ministry, the Male Chorus, the Mass Choir, the Ministry Presidents, the Nurses Ministry, the Praise Dance Ministry, the Praise and Worship Ministry, the Prison Ministry, the Steppers, the Sunrise Choir, the Video and Audio Tape Ministry and the Young Adult Usher Ministry.
In order to service the growing congregation, Dr. Williams began an 8:00 a.m. worship service in September 1995.On April 30, 1997, we purchased property on Erskine Place, here in Co-op City. On November 2, 1997, the property was dedicated. On May 14, 2005, we had our ground breaking service and began planning construction of our new church edifice, to more effectively meet the needs of God's people.
In September 2005, under the direction of Dr. Williams, the Co-op City Intergenerational Outreach Center was organized and incorporated.The Intergenerational Outreach Center will allow the church to provide the community with even more outreach programs, those especially designed to help today’s youth.The Intergenerational Outreach Center will also implement services which will assist in the proper care of young children, senior citizens and the continuing growth of spiritual education to meet the needs of God’s people both inside and outside the Church.
In the beginning of 2006 the Co-op City Baptist Church, launched its own web site, coopcitybaptistchurch.org, where you can go and obtain further information about the church and their upcoming events.
In August of 2006, the Co-op City Intergenerational Outreach Center began an online travel service where you can make your own travel arrangements, plan your vacation, as well as obtain tickets to various events around the city; you can just go to ccbctravel.com.
In August of 2008, we began the first stages of construction on our new church edifice and outreach center.We look forward to continuing the work and completing construction in the year 2011.
We pray that God will richly bless each and every one of you as you continue to support us in these endeavors.
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