For nearly two centuries, Twelfth Baptist Church has stood as a pillar of support in the community with a legacy that is deeply rooted in a rich history of liberation, resilience and service.
As the congregation celebrates 185 years this month, Rev. Willie Bodrick II, the 14th pastor of the historic church, reflected on the steadfast endurance of the institution.
“This is a story of perseverance.
It’s the power of perseverance in a moment where so many institutions have been shut down.
We can still say that God has sustained us,” said Bodrick.
The milestone was celebrated with a gala on Oct. 17 with the theme, “Built to Last,” an acknowledgement of the resilience and fortitude of the church as well as its role in the community moving forward. Bodrick hosted the event, which featured Rev. Charles E. Goodman Jr. from Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Ga. Many other notable figures such as Mayor Michelle Wu, state Sen. Liz Miranda and U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, were in attendance as well.
This year also marked 220 years since the founding of First Baptist Church, otherwise known as the African Meeting House, from which Twelfth Baptist stems.
Founded in 1805 as the First African Baptist Church, it was originally located on Beacon Hill.
The church was established to provide a space where Black Bostonians would be able to gather in worship without the discrimination common in white churches.
Since then the congregation moved twice and is now located in Roxbury.
The church played a pivotal role in the fight against slavery and as a meeting ground for many civil rights leaders throughout its history.
Under the church’s second pastor, Rev. Leonard Grimes, who served from 1848 to 1874, it became known as the “Fugitive Slave Church,” solidifying its role as an epicenter of the abolitionist movement. Serving as a significant stop on the Underground Railroad, Twelfth Baptist actively helped to support and free many enslaved individuals.
Over the course of its transformative history, the church has been associated with a multitude of notable figures including Frederick Douglass, Michael Lee Haines, Martin Luther King Jr. and George Washington Williams. Surviving many great challenges throughout American history — slavery, segregation and the Civil Rights Movement — Twelfth Baptist continues to be an enduring symbol of hope in its advocacy for the Black community.
Bodrick has led the church since 2021. Growing up in Atlanta as the oldest of three children, Bodrick explained that the ministry has always been a part of his life. His father, Rev. Willie Bodrick Sr., had been a pastor for over 35 year; his mother, Anna Bodrick, was an educator.
Bodrick explained how being raised in Atlanta, a city steeped in civil rights activism, and being around the Black church culture of his community shaped him as a person.
“Growing up in Atlanta really exposed me to the way which not only the Black church, but Black institutions work to create vitality for not only a community, but the entire city,” stated Bodrick. “[It] gave me the imagination that I can be and do whatever I desire to do in this world.”
After graduating from high school, Bodrick attended Georgetown University, initially following in his mother’s path of becoming an educator. He played varsity football and remained involved in religious activities through participating in different Christian forums and other faith-based organizations on campus. However, Bodrick explained that during his college years, he was deeply affected by the social and political challenges of the time.
“You know, the terrorist attacks and wars and you know, the economy on the brink of collapse in my sophomore year college… so it’s like… you know, the economy falls out. You’re seeing folks not being able to get jobs. You’re just trying to make sense of the world,” said Bodrick as he recalled attending school in the early 2000s under the Bush administration.
He further explained that this led him to shift from education to considering a path in ministry, saying that he had always known it to be his true calling. That led him to his career path change and eventually attending Harvard Divinity School.
During his time at Harvard, Bodrick took a preaching class that was audited by Rev. Alter T. Gerald, the 12th pastor of Twelfth Baptist. He recalled the moment when he encountered Gerald after leaving his hat behind in the class, describing it as a “divine encounter that brought me to Twelfth Baptist Church.”
Bodrick worked his way up in ranks from a youth minister, to the youth and young adult minister, to his current role as senior pastor. During this time, he also attended Northeastern where he received his Juris Doctor in 2020. Since then, Bodrick has embodied the legacy of the church through his consistent involvement in initiatives centered around community support and social justice.
That commitment to community support was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when the church provided over $350,000 in financial support for struggling community members. In a partnership with Boston Medical, they established a community-based vaccination clinic in their church hall, successfully vaccinating over 2,500 people during the height of the pandemic.
They currently operate a food pantry, openly support efforts for affordable housing and advocate for those who are incarcerated. Twelfth Baptist also has global missions with its support of an orphanage in Honduras and a school in Liberia.
Bodrick explained that the goal is to extend their commitment to the community by going beyond local barriers, all stemming from the theological principle of providing practical support for those in need.
“When folks are hungry, you gotta be able to feed them. When they are thirsty, you have to be able to give them drink. When they are strangers, we have to be able to welcome them in, when they are sick, we have to be able to visit them,” said Bodrick.
As Twelfth Baptist celebrates its 185th year, Bodrick hopes the church will continue to be a “prophetic voice” in the community, addressing social issues, supporting marginalized populations and maintaining its commitment to “love, light, and liberation.”