Pastor Emeritus James Porter

PASTOR EMERITUS JAMES PORTER, beloved son of the late Samuel and Elizabeth Porter was born on September 14, 1944, in Dalzell, South Carolina. He was the only boy out of seven children. His family’s nickname for him was “Bubba.” He was very close to his family. He would often share stories of how it was growing up in South Carolina, times he spent with his parents, and how it was living with six sisters. After graduating from Ebenezer High School in 1962, he moved to Baltimore, MD at the age of seventeen to live with his sister Eloise White. In later years he met Catherine Hamilton, and they were married on February 3, 1966. From this union they had six children: Cynthia, Samuel, Coretta, Twins Michael(deceased) and Michelle, and Sonya. He loved his family. He was a hard worker who always made sure his family was taken care of. He worked at Esskay and Martin Marietta for many years before getting a job with Howard County Public School System where he worked for twenty years before retiring in July 2009. James loved people and was loved by many. He was always willing to help someone, no matter what it may be. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. He also loved watching wrestling, sports, old westerns, and eating bananas and snacks. He accepted Christ at an early age while attending High Hills Baptist Church in South Carolina. In 1976 he preached his trial sermon “Fisherman On Dry Land” at Perkins Square Baptist Church. He became a member of the Baptist Minister’s Association. He attended Virginia Seminary & Baltimore School of the Bible to further his ministry studies. On April 18, 1982, he started his own church “Bethel Missionary Baptist Church”. His first service was held in his living room at 3734 Reisterstown Road. He then started having church service at Travelers Rest Baptist Church at 8:00 a.m. under the leadership of Pastor Albert Harrison until we relocated to 1031 North Calhoun Street on November 28, 1982. In January 1990 he purchased 3701 Park Heights Avenue making it a one house church. On February 19, 1999, 3703 Park Heights Avenue was purchased, and the two addresses were combined. He was preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Elizabeth Porter, son Michael Porter Sr., grandson Nathaniel Porter, and sister Mariah Dozier. He leaves to mourn and cherish his memory: his wife of 59 years, Catherine Porter; five children, Cynthia Boyd, Samuel Porter, Coretta Spriggs, Michelle Douglas, and Sonya Porter; three sons in-law, Eddie Douglas III, Warren Spriggs and Jonathan Boyd; daughter-in-law, Phylisa Porter; five sisters, Eloise White, Eva Mae Carroll, Maggie McMillan, Rosa Williams and Elizabeth Sumpter; brother-in-law, Mack McMillan; fifteen grandchildren, twelve greatgrandchildren; two bonus daughters, Renee Goode and Devita Porter; close friends, Keith Valentine, Aaron Williams, and Tom Wlodarczyk; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Pastor Emeritus James Porter

September 14, 1944 - May 31, 2025