According to the record of man and the will of God, the Maple Street Baptist Church was organized in 1896 from what was then known as Mt. Nebo Baptist Church Mission. The pastor at the time was Reverend Samuel miller, a circuit-type minister and missionary.

The mission was located at East Walnut Street between Fifth and Sixth streets. Two years later, in 1898, it moved to East Third and Des Moines Street. At that time, Mt. Nebo Mission, the newly named Mission, then became Maple Street Baptist Church. Reverend J.O.R. Winbush was called to be the permanent pastor and the church was located at East Sixth and Locust Street. Under the pastorate of Reverend Winbush, the church moved to East Ninth and Maple. This participating in the organization of the church were: Reverend Osgood, pastor of the First Forest Avenue Baptist Church, reverend Bartlett, pastor of Corinthian Baptist, and then reverend J.O.R. Winbush, pastor of the church being organized.

Our first deacons were Charles J. Hayes, Archie Pettigrew, Calvin Pettigrew, Price Hunter , George Henry, Eddie Brown, Robert Brown, Ora Yeager, William Warfield, Tom Mosley, Cal Douglas Clarence Lincoln, Robert Webb, Sr., (Elgie), Charles Boyers, Ben Dant, William  Simmons, Harry Lewis, J. S. Williams, Will Butts, Humphrey Dudley, Emery Wade, Ernie Wilson, Harold Frye, Jack Patton, Tom Riley, Tom Billingsely, Ernest Walter, W.J.Cooper, Benjamin Manuel George Hayes and Arthur Duke.

Our first trustees were Charlie Cox (first chairperson), John Wilson, Lewis Branch, Robert Carter, Manson Hall, Ben Wellington, Charlie Barnes, John Smith, Ralph Jackson, Walter Bennings, Sean Rogers, Essie Holt, Meice Patton, Pink Harold, Toots Elmore, Bill Jefferson Gates, John Rainey, Richard White and William Robinson.

During Reverend Winbush’s pastorate, the church grew until he resigned in 1907, (Mission was organized in 1907). In November of that year, reverend Samuel Bates was called to pastor Maple Street Baptist Church, at which time it had forty members, while this small membership grew into hundreds, the church went forward in many other ways. In 1908 or 1909, the church was admitted to the Iowa Association and Sunday School Convention. The congregation grew to the extent that a larger building became necessary. Most of the labor was donated by members who cleaned bricks; pulled nails and donated most of the lumber from used lumber, etc., day after day until a sizable brick building was completed. The members worked diligently on the new building.

In 1928, reverend A. Ross Brent of Sedalia, Missouri came to Maple Street and was a co-worker to Reverend Bates for a little over year. Reverend Brent took charge while the Pastor entered missionary work in the state of Iowa. Reverend A. Ross Brent was called to pastor Maple Street Missionary Baptist Church upon Reverend Bates’ resignation, due to failing health.

The church continued to thrive upon the foundations laid by Reverend Bates’  efforts, but early in Reverend Brent’s administration (1932), the church was destroyed by fire, requiring the purchase of a new location for Maple Street Baptist Church. Hence the present property at East sixteenth and Maple Street became the property of the church. While the basement was being finished, services were held in the McCree Hall at East sixteenth and University. The work was completed in June 1933. The congregation marched from McCree Hall over to the new church basement to the song “Onward Christian Soldiers”.

One year later, June 10, 1934, the congregation moved into the auditorium. This was indicative of the rapid progress under the leadership of Reverend Brent. Reverend Brent resigned in 1941 to accept the pastorate of Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey. Reverend C. Lopez McAllister was called to pastor Maple Street Baptist Church in 1941. Reverend McAllister’s work ended with his resignation in 1944 to accept the presidency at Selma University in Alabama.

Much progress had been witnessed under the leadership of Reverend McCallister, such as the organization of a vacation bible school. Reverend McCallister was also known for his love and concern for his flock and was best known through his visitations whether they sick or slack in attendance. Not having an automobile, his travel was done by bus or trolley.

Reverend George H. Parrish called in 1945 and served faithfully for 45 years until his passing in 1991. Under Reverend Parrish’s pastorate the church was remodeled to seat a fifty-voice choir, a baptismal pool was installed and an electronic organ was purchased. The members furnished much of the labor toward the remodeling program.

In 1966, a complete remodeling program was completed. A large parking lot was purchased, the interior decorated, new front steps and a new side walk was constructed, central air conditioning was installed ( a first among black churches in Des Moines), a completed new dining room and kitchen with new cupboards and paneling.

In 1970, a renovation of the nursery was completed and a section of the furnace room as transformed into a library.

In 1981, the visions and dreams began to manifest themselves through the breaking of ground and the beginning of the construction of our new educational wing, with community facilities, Sunday school classrooms and administrative offices. Through prayers, hard work, and support of the Christian family, official board and God’s shepherd of the flock, Reverend

G. H. Parrish, all was and is now completed and enjoyed by the Christian family and the community. This was all accomplished by standing on the promises of God.

Through Divine intervention, being lead by the Holy Spirit, Pastor Parrish called Reverend Keith A Ratliff Sr., from his charge as pastor of the BCC Christian  Worship Service of  Iowa University in Ames  Iowa where he had  pastured seven years. Through Pastor Parrish’s choice and recommendation to the church and through the vote of the church body Reverend Keith A Ratliff, sr. was duly recommended to be the Assistant Pastor of Maple Street Missionary Baptist Church. Prior to this call Reverend Ratliff has pastured three years at the Second Baptist Church in  Marshalltown, Iowa.  

1991- “Moving forward in “God’s promise … remembering in his love … II Timothy 4:7-8.

On January 21, 1991, there was a great change for us, the body of  
Christ at Maple Street Missionary Baptist church. It was on that date that the beloved Pastor  Reverend George H Parrish  home going was felt by us all when through  a car mishap God the father of us all called him to his reward.

Understanding “God’s Plan” on Sunday, April 21, 1991, God called an Anointed servant in the person of Reverend Keith Allen Ratliff, Sr., to be pastor. Therefore, with his family – spouse Deborah Ratliff and their children – they became the duly elected Official First Family of Maple Street Missionary Baptist Church.

We at Maple Street are blessed to have a man anointed by God, who is Bible read, lead, and fed. For whom God calls, he qualifies.

Planting feet on higher ground means moving to higher heights in our Christina service and development.   Therefore, when the Holy Spirit spoke to Reverend Ratliff about a five year Vision Plan, he listened, prayed, and above all, trusted and obeyed God.

Truly, the body of Christ at Maple Street Missionary Baptist church has been wonderfully blessed by the Lord to share in many, many ways both in the Spiritual realm and in the community. So many blessings have been received that they are too numerous to mention, therefore, we will only sharing a few with you today.

Through Divine guidance from the Holy Spirit, under the leadership of our Pastor, Reverend Keith A. Ratliff Sr., during his tenure, and with the prayers and cooperation of our congregation, the following has been established:

Tutorial Ministry K-12
On the second and fourth Monday of each month. The hours are 7:30pm-8:30pm. Adult members working with students, also preparing for ACT and SAT College entrance exams.

Free Medical Clinic Is on the first, third, and fifth Tuesday from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.  A registered nurse and doctor provide physical exams and treatments free of charge.

Youth Department Consist of choir, workshops, Christian Education and Christian etiquette. Social issues, preparing young women and young men to be Christian Adults.

Report Card Presentation Program 
(K-College) Students are recognized for academic achievements and receive a financial token of encouragement.

Nursing Home Ministry 
Visitations are made to nursing homes throughout the city and surrounding area.

Community involvement 
Maple Street is extremely active in the community especially in the matters of City and State Government that affect our neighborhoods.

Cross-Cultural Ministry 
Maple Street assisted in spear heading cross-cultural service top improve stronger communication between denominations and races for we are all one body in Christ.

Senior Citizen Ministry

Transportation Ministry

Joshua Christian Academy, a Christ centered school will begin September 8, 2009, headquartered from Maple Street for kindergarten, first, second, and 3rd Grades.

A committee is being formed to establish a gospel record shop and black hair care products store to encourage economic encouragement for our community. For third john verse 2 says “Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospered”.