About Trinity Baptist Church

Why Does Trinity Baptist Church Exist?

The purpose of Trinity Baptist Church is to organize and work to fulfill the execution of the Great Commission as in Matthew 28:16-20. Our vision is a hybrid church experience that leads to spiritual conversion and the continual growth of Godly mature disciples who are spiritually productive and personally fulfilled.

Our History

The Trinity Baptist Church was born on April 12, 1970, under the stellar leadership of our founder, Rev. Richard H. Puryear, just two doors down from its present homesite. Our first worship service was held in the Sanctuary Room of Mount Zion Lodge #50 at 230 Passaic Street in Hackensack, NJ.

While worshipping under the roof of the Mount Zion Lodge, the congregation embarked on bringing into fruition God’s assigned vision given to our founder and pastor, Rev. Puryear, of building this house of worship we call Trinity Baptist Church. Following Dr. Puryear’s steady and focused guidance, coupled with the promise of God, the seventy-five-member church made its way through many challenges.

Our journey was marked by obstacles and blessings. God rewarded us with devoted friends, successful fundraisers, and dedicated, generous members. The church celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony in June 1972, with the officials and clergies from Hackensack and neighboring communities in attendance.

A New Beginning

Notably, we started our journey with prayer services in various homes seeking divine direction. Our answered prayers were fulfilled 38 months later on a bright, sunny Sunday afternoon in June 1973. The members of Trinity, along with many dignitaries, guests, and community members, took our Victory March from the Mount Zion Lodge #50 through the streets of Hackensack to our new church home at 218 Passaic Street. Following the ribbon-cutting by Rev. Richard H. and First Lady Mamie Puryear, they joyfully led us into our new sanctuary.

The Installation of Our Second Pastor

After 23 years of dedicated service, Rev. Puryear decided to retire on November 30, 1993, due to his failing health, and entrust the responsibility of his beloved congregation to the loving and spiritual care of Rev. Jonathan B. Whitfield.

In December 1993, Rev. Whitfield became the second pastor of the Trinity Church Family. Under his leadership, the church grew spiritually, numerically, and financially. As a result of membership growth, two morning worship services were instituted on July 6, 1997. Giving all glory to God, we acquired the vacant lot adjacent to our church and the building located at 259 Passaic Street, Hackensack, NJ, aptly named the Tri-Arc Building. With the spiritual guidance and furtherance of our Christian educational training under Pastor Whitfield, Trinity Baptist Church moved from Membership to Discipleship. There were no limits under his leadership. The members felt their duty was to raise the church to new horizons and unquestionable achievements while working harmoniously with our second pastor.

Two of the greatest accomplishments of Pastor Whitfield were his vision to contemporize the church—a world-class music ministry to complement his preaching, and Tri-Arc Community Development, which supports the underserved, especially children and ex-offenders. Pastor Whitfield accepted the call to another church in April 2014. From May 2014 through February 2015, Rev. Janel York rendered faithful and excellent service as the interim minister.

Continuing the Church Legacy

On February 15, 2015 the members of Trinity Baptist Church graciously extended the call to pastor to Rev. George Maize, IV. He was installed on June 14, 2015 and served until his resignation on September 25, 2022.

Growing Friendships, Families, and Faith

Here at Trinity Baptist Church, we are blessed to still have many charter members engaged in ministry. We are thankful for their dedicated contribution to the vision given to our founding pastor to build this house of worship we call our church home. We are also grateful for all those who have joined our fellowship since our inception. There are too many to name, but founding and transplanted members together have allowed the Lord to use them to build the walls of Zion here at Trinity.

We conclude this summary of our history with the lyrics of the Gospel Hymn titled “We’ve Come This Far by Faith” by the late Albert A. Goodson (1933-2003):

We have come this far by faith,
Leaning on the Lord,
Trusting in His holy Word,
He’s never failed us—yet.
Singin’ oh, oh, oh, can’t turn around,
We’ve come this far by faith.

The history of Trinity Baptist Church will continue onward and upward. We have come a long way by the grace of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be.

About Our Pastor

In June of 2015, Reverend Dr. George W. Maize, IV was called to be the third pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Hackensack, New Jersey. Rev. Maize has a rich heritage as he is a fourth generation pastor from his maternal and fraternal lineage.

He began his ministerial journey on Sunday January 31, 1988. GOD has favored him to serve the Kingdom as pastor, preacher, teacher, counselor, administrator, musician, choir director, composer, recording artist, playwright, and producer. Finally and most importantly, Pastor Maize is a follower of Christ and has committed his life to sharing and demonstrating the teachings of Jesus, in and beyond his environment by the grace of God.

We present to some and introduce to others he who we affectionately call “our pastor”, Rev. Dr. George W. Maize, IV.