After nearly 38 years at the helm of Second Baptist Church, one of Los Angeles’ most storied Black churches, Rev. Dr. William S. Epps is preparing to step down from the pulpit this June. His retirement marks the end of an era defined by resilience, transformation, and unwavering faith.
“It’s been an extraordinary journey,” Epps said, reflecting on his tenure that began when he succeeded the late Dr. Thomas Kilgore Jr. in 1987. “What makes anything great is when you move in with a family and everyone grows into who they have the capacity to be. That’s what we did together.”
Under Epps’ leadership, the historic church underwent a $6 million renovation—a major milestone that modernized the aging facility and united the congregation in a challenging yet transformative capital campaign. “Some didn’t want to do it. They wanted to leave it like it was,” Epps recalled. “But the plumbing was bad, the electrical was bad, the roof was bad. We got it done.”
Even after personal setbacks—including a serious injury in 2019 and the challenges of COVID-19—Epps postponed his retirement to see the church through uncertain times. “I couldn’t leave them in that,” he said. “Then we discovered structural damage during the pandemic, and I stayed to help navigate that too.”
His time at Second Baptist wasn’t only about brick and mortar. A nationally respected preacher and prominent figure in the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Epps brought a scholarly, biblically rooted preaching style to Los Angeles, even as it contrasted with local traditions. “In the beginning, I felt like a fish out of water,” he admitted. “But over time, my preaching became a staple.”
Epps is especially proud of his annual devotional journals that guided members through scripture beyond Sunday sermons. “I wanted to walk them through the Bible,” he said. Though funding cuts halted the project before completion, much of his work remains archived.
Second Baptist’s legacy will continue under new leadership. The church was recently designated a historic site by the National Trust for Historic Preservation—the only such African American church on the West Coast to receive the honor. Plans are underway to further restore the building and secure its future viability.
Epps’ farewell celebration will take place July 26 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel. As for his own next chapter, he’s considering writing and digitizing his sermons, perhaps even a book—but first, he plans to rest.
“I’ll miss the camaraderie and the fellowship,” he said. “But it’s time.”