How it all started...
Seven people assembled in the home of Bobby and Sheila Felder on October 29, 1988 to form a Mission whose purpose was to organize a new Christ-centered church. The seven people were Bobby (deceased) and Sheila Felder, Shirley (deceased) and John (deceased) Ware, Halton Sr. (deceased) and Annie Washington, and Virginia Washington. The meeting opened with a prayer by John Ware. Sheila Felder then started the discussion the invitation for Rev. Rolen Lewis Womack, Jr. to become the leader of the newly formed Mission. Rev. Womack accepted the Mission’s invitation.
On November 4, 1988. Under Rev. Womack’s leadership the assembly chose the name Progressive for the name of their new church. The name Progressive signified the modern bible-based decision making, leadership and worship principles of the newly formed church. The church membership would decide church polity and practice rather than tradition. Rev. Womack was called to be the founding pastor of the newly formed Progressive Baptist Church. He accepted. Rev. Womack preached his first sermon as founding pastor of Progressive Baptist Church on Sunday, November 20, 1988.
Progressive met in the basement of Pastor Womack’s home, 3300 N. 48th Street until the church purchased the building at our current site, 8324 W. Keefe Ave, in February, 1989. Church services were held in the new building Sunday, February 12, 1989. The initial mortgage was paid off in August of 1999. The church then undertook major renovation projects expanding the church structure and function to expand the church structure in July 2000 and in the Spring of 2007.
Our founding pastor, Rev. Dr. Rolen Lewis Womack Jr. preached his last sermon as pastor of Progressive Baptist Church on July 24, 2011. He retired after twenty-three devoted and faithful years.
On November 4, 1988. Under Rev. Womack’s leadership the assembly chose the name Progressive for the name of their new church. The name Progressive signified the modern bible-based decision making, leadership and worship principles of the newly formed church. The church membership would decide church polity and practice rather than tradition. Rev. Womack was called to be the founding pastor of the newly formed Progressive Baptist Church. He accepted. Rev. Womack preached his first sermon as founding pastor of Progressive Baptist Church on Sunday, November 20, 1988.
Progressive met in the basement of Pastor Womack’s home, 3300 N. 48th Street until the church purchased the building at our current site, 8324 W. Keefe Ave, in February, 1989. Church services were held in the new building Sunday, February 12, 1989. The initial mortgage was paid off in August of 1999. The church then undertook major renovation projects expanding the church structure and function to expand the church structure in July 2000 and in the Spring of 2007.
Our founding pastor, Rev. Dr. Rolen Lewis Womack Jr. preached his last sermon as pastor of Progressive Baptist Church on July 24, 2011. He retired after twenty-three devoted and faithful years.
Expanding the vision...
The church extended a call to Rev. Walter J. Lanier to become the next Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church. Rev. Lanier was ordained on September 3, 2011 at Calvary Baptist Church. He preached his first sermon on Sunday, September 4, 2011 as Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church.
Rev. Walter J. Lanier’s Installation and Recognition of Ordination Service were held on October 9, 2011, at Progressive Baptist Church. Under the leadership of Rev. Lanier, Progressive was able to payoff the mortgages for the 2000 and 2007 church renovations; Expand the ministries and membership of the church; and increase Progressive’s profile in the Milwaukee community.
The unforeseen happened in 2020. The world experienced a global coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Health officials mandated, for the safety of their congregations, that Churches stop meeting in their sanctuaries. Progressive closed its building in March 18, 2020. Pastor Lanier, Progressive associate ministers and its leadership pulled together, quickly developing interactive ways to stay connected as a church through the internet, virtual technology, and video. Progressive opened our first virtual worship service with Psalm 46 on March 22, 2020. While physically distant, church membership grew, and the church maintained. Progressive created new and different ministry outreach opportunities for members and the community. By August 2021, the church began a slow and measured reopening process for members to worship in the physical building again. Progressive was officially reopened November 14, 2021. Hybrid worship with both in-person and virtual services continues as our new normal.
Rev. Walter J. Lanier’s Installation and Recognition of Ordination Service were held on October 9, 2011, at Progressive Baptist Church. Under the leadership of Rev. Lanier, Progressive was able to payoff the mortgages for the 2000 and 2007 church renovations; Expand the ministries and membership of the church; and increase Progressive’s profile in the Milwaukee community.
The unforeseen happened in 2020. The world experienced a global coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Health officials mandated, for the safety of their congregations, that Churches stop meeting in their sanctuaries. Progressive closed its building in March 18, 2020. Pastor Lanier, Progressive associate ministers and its leadership pulled together, quickly developing interactive ways to stay connected as a church through the internet, virtual technology, and video. Progressive opened our first virtual worship service with Psalm 46 on March 22, 2020. While physically distant, church membership grew, and the church maintained. Progressive created new and different ministry outreach opportunities for members and the community. By August 2021, the church began a slow and measured reopening process for members to worship in the physical building again. Progressive was officially reopened November 14, 2021. Hybrid worship with both in-person and virtual services continues as our new normal.
Where we are headed...
Under the dynamic leadership of Pastor Walter J. Lanier, Progressive continues to evolve while staying anchored in biblical truth and the rich traditions of the Black church. Our ministries reach beyond the sanctuary — touching lives through education, health and wellness, youth mentorship, and community empowerment initiatives that reflect Christ’s love in action.
Today, Progressive Baptist Church stands as a multigenerational, mission-driven congregation where everyone is welcome, everyone has purpose, and everyone can grow. From our earliest days, Progressive has been more than a church building — it has been a spiritual home. We have celebrated births and baptisms, stood together through trials, and rejoiced in countless testimonies of healing, growth, and restoration. Progressive has also been able to serve as a revolving "Hub" for community action and organizing. Through every season, our commitment has remained constant: to serve God by serving people.
We thank God for giving us the collective strength to continue build on the Spiritual Christ-Like foundation that was laid for us by our founders. We pray that we remain a progressive Christ-centered church doing the will and work of God in this city and this community. God is not through with us yet.
We invite you to worship with us, serve alongside us, and experience the joy of being part of a faith family that’s truly Progressive — forward in faith, strong in spirit, and united in love.
“Equipping God’s People. | Building God’s Church. | Advancing God’s Kingdom.”
Today, Progressive Baptist Church stands as a multigenerational, mission-driven congregation where everyone is welcome, everyone has purpose, and everyone can grow. From our earliest days, Progressive has been more than a church building — it has been a spiritual home. We have celebrated births and baptisms, stood together through trials, and rejoiced in countless testimonies of healing, growth, and restoration. Progressive has also been able to serve as a revolving "Hub" for community action and organizing. Through every season, our commitment has remained constant: to serve God by serving people.
We thank God for giving us the collective strength to continue build on the Spiritual Christ-Like foundation that was laid for us by our founders. We pray that we remain a progressive Christ-centered church doing the will and work of God in this city and this community. God is not through with us yet.
We invite you to worship with us, serve alongside us, and experience the joy of being part of a faith family that’s truly Progressive — forward in faith, strong in spirit, and united in love.
“Equipping God’s People. | Building God’s Church. | Advancing God’s Kingdom.”
