About the Second Baptist Church | Matawan New Jersey

Reverend Stephen Moore

A native of New Brunswick, Stephen James Moore, was educated in the New Brunswick and Highland Park school districts. In his youth he attended Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Rev. Moore’s true spiritual journey began when he asked Jesus to take over his life on July 16, 1972 at Clear View Baptist Church in Newark. On October 1 of that year, he was baptized at New Hope Baptist Church in Metuchen, under the pastorate of Rev. Joseph J. Dale. Rev. Moore immediately began to immerse himself in the study of God’s Word and the tutelage of the Pastor. He sang in the Gospel Chorus and the Ensemble and soon began teaching the adult Sunday school class. In 1976 he was ordained as a deacon and served as both vice-chairman and chairman of the Deacon Board.

In May of 1992, Rev. Moore was called back to the church where he grew up, Ebenezer Baptist Church in New Brunswick, to assist Rev. Dr. Lonnie Ford. He was ordained at Ebenezer on July 10, 1999. Rev. Moore continued as assistant to Ebenezer’s new Pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Wallace. He served as Director of Christian Education, oversaw the men’s ministry, and taught Monday night Bible Study, and developed and taught a Bible Basics class with his wife Deborah.

In September, 2009, Rev. Moore began ministering at Second Baptist Church in Matawan where he was asked to serve as Interim Pastor. On April 2, 2011 he was installed as Pastor. Since then Rev. Moore has focused on helping the congregation to grow in love, unity, prayer and studying God’s Word.

Rev. Moore is married to the former Deborah Inez Gardner. They are the parents of two adult children: Simeon, who resides in Atlanta, GA with his wife Janice and their daughter Jaidyn; and Jeffrey who resides in Philadelphia, PA.

Church History

During the year 1889, a small group of dedicated people in Matawan led by the Reverend S.L. Gibson decided to start a Baptist mission among themselves. This original group included Deacons John Herendon, Edward Harris and Charles H. Beal; Trustees Charles Schnack, Charles Ledlow and Toliver Lindsay.

The name “Berean Baptist Church” was adopted on April 9, 1890 and a room for worship was secured in Bissel Hall, Main and Spring Streets. Over 120 years ago, the church was officially organized. As their numbers continued to grow, a committee was formed to locate a permanent place of worship. A house on Jackson Street near Fountain Avenue was located and purchased. Then in April 1891, a lot was purchased on Orchard Street.

In 1893, a pulpit call was extended to Rev. J.W. Jeffreys who discovered the church had never been dedicated. In 1894 the decision was held and the name was changed to “Second Baptist Church of Matawan, N.J.”. This place of worship was remodeled, with the local Presbyterian Church donating pews. In 1911, a decision was made to build a church.

In 1912, R.H. Lyons, Edward Madison, and Reuben Simmons were members of the building committee established to meet this goal. As a result, the cornerstone for the new church on Orchard Street was laid on June 22, 1913. Since then several Deacons have been ordained including David Phillips, John Cook and Lewis A. Williams.

Presently, we are under the leadership of Rev. Stephen Moore.

Ministerial Staff:
Rev. Jeffery Gray (Asst. to the Pastor)
Min. Leatha Williams (Prison Ministry)
Min. James Prescott (Associate)
Min. Antonio Lawrence (Minister of Music)