In 1876, the Baptist Mission Board of Nashville, Tennessee established a mission school for Indians and freedmen under the leadership of N.A. Leslie and wife for Indians and Reverend Cain and wife for negroes. The school was originally located at Fourth Street and Elgin Avenue, but growing attendance later forced a move to Fourth and Court Streets. In 1877, Reverend Cain, Monday Durant, John Kernard, and Ben Barnett encouraged the membership to begin plans for a larger church facility. Around 1898, land was purchased at Fifth and Denison Streets, and the new sanctuary cornerstone was laid in 1900 with Reverend Samuel Solomon serving as first minister. Through the influence of early pioneers such as William Hewitt, T.J. Elliott, and J.E. Johnson, the church became known as one of the largest and wealthiest churches in Muskogee.