Rev. George Alexander loved to tell of a time when the usher board had a party and served alcoholic beverages.  Rev. Branch refused them permission to serve as ushers in the Sunday morning service the following Sunday.  He appointed ushers from the congregation to serve.   If a member violated the church covenant, and it came to the attention of the church, he would bring that member before the church and demand an apology.  He had a unique ability to motivate people to work for God.   He always greeted his audience with "Good Morning, My Dears."  He was an eloquent speaker - wonderful pastor and minister.  When he was in high spirit, he would say, "Hear me when I tell you."  He died suddenly on July 16, 1932 and left to mourn his passing a wife, Willie, and two sons, devoted church family and friends.

The log cabin that he was born in could hardly be called a house.  It had no windows, the floor was dirt, and it had only one door.  This lowly beginning did not mar his lofty ideals or make him blameless and dumb.

He attended school only when there was no work to do in the fields; about three months out of a year.  His father hired him out to a white man as a wage hand at the age of nine for only $63.00 a year.  He experienced the same life as all southern black boys of his day.

He was converted at the age of 17.  He married at the age of 18.  He accepted the call to the ministry at the age of 20.  His experience as a preacher and builder fitted him for his work in Chicago, Illinois.  While in Louisiana, he built 12 churches and six Rosenwald schools.

He finished the public school of his home town with honors.  He also earned degrees from the following institutions:  Homer Normal and Industrial College, Pleasant Hill Seminary, Ideal Bible College, Roger Williams and Illinois Bible College.

He was a member of the Railroad Commission of the National Baptist Convention of America.  Board Member of the Illinois Baptist State Convention of Illinois and Moderator of the North Woodriver District Association for several years and treasurer later.

To the union of James Monroe and Saddie Harvey were born 16 children, who of whom are still living, Deacon Jason Harvey of Antioch and Mrs. Lillie Van Turner, both of Chicago, Illinois.

After the passing of his first wife, he marred the beloved Necie whom we knew and loved and they lived together happily until God called him home.  Mrs. Necie Harvey has since passed.

Reverend Wilbur N. Daniel was born on January 2, 1918 in Louisville, Kentucky to the union of Nathan and Fannie Daniel.  He received his elementary education in West Point, Kentucky and was graduated from Central High School in Louisville.  In 1938 he was married to Ms. Marguerite Richards, the girl who had become his favorite playmate when he was only nine years old and whom he predicted would become his wife when he grew up.  The significant point here reveals the loyalty and determination of young Daniel, which was greatly evident in his early life and for which he is loved and respected at this present time.

Having a zeal for God and a love for people, he entered the ministry at the age of 25, his first pastorate was the Macedonia Baptist Church in Garrett, Indiana.   While there he studied religious education ad pastoral theology at Fort Wayne Bible Institute.  Being a born leader and truly called of God to minister to His people, his work at Macedonia was successful.  
However, when he was called to a greater field of service for God, always led by His guidance and direction, Rev. Daniel accepted the invitation to pastor the Pilgrim Emmanuel Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee and served the people there for three years.

In the meantime, he enrolled at the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville where he received the Bachelor of Theology degree.  From there he enrolled at the Tennessee State University where he received the Bachelor of Science degree.  In 1949 he accepted the pastorate of the St. John Baptist Church at Clarksville, Tennessee and while there he applied for admittance to Austin Peay State University which up to this time was all white.  Thus, Rev. Daniel pioneered the way for integration of this university and was graduated with honors in 1957 receiving the Master of Arts degree.  Dr. Daniel's dynamic preaching, deep sense of dedication, straight forward character and aggressive leadership endeared him in the hearts of all who knew him.  Under his powerful leadership, in less than one year Antioch, still located at 5129 South Indiana, outgrew its facilities.  Thus the move to its current location at Englewood and Stewart Avenues on June 29, 1956.

A statement attributed to Pastor Daniel, "It's hard to convince a man that Jesus loves him if he sleeps in the streets and his belly is empty.  You have to first address the man's environmental concerns, he reminds us, and then present Jesus as the One who can save his soul."  From these understandings of spirituality and ministry, his administration began the Vitalization of the Englewood community through rehabilitation and construction.

This vitalization effort began when, in the mid 1960's, Antioch became the first church organization in the country to take advantage of Section 202 of the National Housing Act.  Passed under President Dwight Eisenhower, Section 202 provides government loans for not-for-profit organizations such as Antioch to purchase land for developing low-income senior citizen housing.  From those first townhouses and apartment units, Antioch has developed or rehabilitated more than 900 units for senior citizens, the handicapped, and families.  This housing effort includes the Ft. Wayne, Indiana and joint ventures with the North Woodriver Baptist District Association and New Pisgah Baptist Church.

Pastor Daniel’s activities in civil and religious areas are numerous.  Along with the heavy responsibility of pastoring one of the greatest and most outstanding churches in the city of Chicago, he served as president of the Chicago Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for two years, vice president  and president of the Police Board  of the city of Chicago, treasurer of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, and head of the Adult Department of the National Baptist Sunday School and BTU Congress.  He is a member of the Trustee Board of the Chicago Baptist Institute, member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Dwelling Association, Moderator of the North Woodriver Baptist Distract Association, member of the Executive Board of the NAACP, member of the Council of Religious Leaders of the Chicago Urban League, board member of the Joint Negro Appeal, member of the board of the National Baptist Publishing Board, chairman of the Board of Highland community Bank, member of the Board of Directors of Citizens Bank, Nashville, Tennessee and several other organizations.

Among the many organizations and institutions that have sought to honor him, we will note just a few here:  honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him June 5, 1960 by the late Dr. M.C. Allen, president of the Virginia Theological Seminary and College, and in June 1961, the Arkansas Baptist  State College awarded him a second Doctor of Divinity degree.  The African American Cultural Center at Austin Peay University was named in honor of Rev. W.M. Daniel, in a ceremony which took place at the University in December 1992.

Reverend Daniel was a family man, one who truly loved his family.  After over 51 years of marriage, the Lord called our first lady, sister Marguerite Daniel, home.  He has two sons; Wilbur N. Jr., a graduate of Northern Illinois University at DeKalb, and Rickey Eugene (Athelyn), a graduate of Michigan State University at East Lansing.

Under the visionary leadership of Reverend Dew the church has embraced its:

• Mission Statement:  We are united to evangelize, educate, equip and empower humanity for the Glory of God through the proclamation of the gospel, the explanation of the scriptures and the exaltation of the Savior.  (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 4:11-12)
• Vision Statement:  To help others realize their full potential for the glory of God. (Galatians 6:10)
• Church Standard:  Excellence.  (Psalm 8:1-8)
• Church Theme

As a result of these statements, Reverend Dew led each ministry, auxiliary, group, club, committee, and organization of the church to develop a “purpose statement” that contributed to the fulfillment of the church’s mission and the realization of the church’s vision.

Under the leadership of Pastor Dew Antioch has established:

• Annual Leaders Retreat
• Evangelism Ministry
• Ministers Ministry
• Visitation Ministry
• Intercessory Prayer Ministry
• Christian Education Workshop
• Spring Church Revival
• Fall Soul-Winning Crusade and Parade
• Weekly Church Bible Study
• Added over 1,200 new members
• Website (tool for outreach, evangelism, education, and information)

Under Pastor Dew’s leadership the church has continued to sponsor the development of quality affordable housing in the Englewood community for families, seniors, and the physically challenged. The most recent projects are Antioch II and Antioch III.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church has also, under the leadership of Pastor Dew, completed a massive renovation of its facilities including, but not limited to:

• Kitchen
• Cafeteria
• Banquet Hall
• Margariette Daniel Room
• W. N. Daniel Fellowship Hall
• Robert Wells Chapel
• Restrooms
• Offices
• First Floor Meeting Rooms
• Main Sanctuary

Future plans will include:

• Visual technology upgrades
• Gym renovations
• Few remaining classrooms renovations

Pastor Dew’s visionary leadership is ever evolving giving testament to the fact that:

• Our God Is An Awesome God
• Ministry Meets Needs
• The Future Is Our Focus