In front of a live video projection, the Rev. James Meeks, left, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson join hands during Jackson’s remarks at Salem Baptist Church service on March 19, 2000.

Meeks, 66, is retiring as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church after almost half a century in ministry, baptizing 20,000 people, and 38 years with the church he started from the ground up.

Last Sunday, Salem Baptist Church of Abington marked the 11th anniversary of Pastor Marshall Mitchell at the historic Montgomery County church during its morning service. Mitchell was installed in ...

The Salem Baptist Church Choir performs as people enter the new church at 31st and Lake Streets in January 2000. The congregation held a brief service at the old church at 3336 Lake St. and then ...

Meeks became a pastor in 1979, and founded Salem Baptist Church in Jan. 13, 1985. He has been the pastor of the megachurch for as long as many congregants can remember.