Salem Institutional Baptist Church began in 1888 as a mission station on the Branch in South Dallas, founded by Father James Solomon Sims of New Hope Baptist Church. Services started in Mrs. Mary Janie Moore's home, and as membership grew, a 20x30 foot building was leased from her. Donations from New Hope Baptist and the Northwestern Baptist Association, facilitated by Rev. A. R. Griggs, supported this early development.

After a successful revival led by Reverend I. Toliver, the mission evolved into a "Full Church." In August 1891, Reverend I. Toliver and Rev. A. R. Griggs officially organized Salem Baptist Church. Two years later, it became an independent church, calling its first Pastor, Reverend C. N. Pryor. Under his leadership, the church purchased its original site for $300, with Brother J.S. Sims, Joe Harris, and J. B. Davis clearing the mortgage in three years.

Over the years, various pastors, including Reverend Frank Williams, Reverend M. C. Calhoun, Reverend G.W. Smith, Reverend A. Taylor, Reverend A.R. Griggs, Reverend A. L. Moore, Reverend R. H. Wilson, and Reverend James Peren, focused on evangelism and numerical growth. In 1911, under Reverend R.D. Canady, the church moved to Preston and Paris Streets. Subsequent rebuilding efforts occurred in 1917 under Reverend L.B. Skinner and again in 1921-1922 by Reverend M. B. Bilbrew, who also organized the first spiritual offspring, Zion Hill Baptist Church. Reverend C. A. Powers rebuilt the church in 1933, followed by Reverend R. D. Nious.

In August 1939, Reverend Beezaleel R. Riley became pastor, leading significant advancements including a developed Religious Education program, a tithing church generating $2,000 monthly, and a substantial increase in membership. He also oversaw the acquisition of a nine-room parsonage and a church remodeling in 1944. Due to city expansion, a new site at 710 Bourbon Street was purchased in 1946, and a new church building, costing $135,000, was erected there in 1947.

In May 1954, Reverend L. Butler Nelson accepted the call to pastor. He revitalized the discouraged congregation and led the acquisition of land for a new building. By 1963, a new church and educational building were constructed at Eugene, Latimer, and Crozier Streets, nearly debt-free. Under Rev. Nelson's 14-year leadership (July 1954 - March 1968), Salem sponsored Mayo Kindergarten School, maintained a storehouse for the needy available to all races, established a Scholarship Fund, and strongly supported various causes including the National Baptist Convention, Texas Baptist State Convention, Foreign and Home Missions, Butler College, Bishop College, The Interracial Baptist Institute, The Galilee Griggs Memorial District Association, and the N.A.A.C.P. It was also under his leadership that the church became known as Salem Institutional Baptist Church.

Reverend J. Whitlow Washington, selected by Pastor Nelson, was installed as the 18th Pastor in April 1969, serving for 21 years. During his tenure, approximately $37,500 of church debt was liquidated, a parking lot was added, and various improvements were made. Reverend Michael L. Easley pastored from 1990 to 1999.

In 1993, Dr. Abraham E. Campbell, Jr. became the 20th pastor. He profoundly impacted the evangelical community with his sermons, overseeing hundreds of baptisms and new memberships, developing new ministries, and offering counseling and prayer. He served for seventeen years, becoming Pastor Emeritus in 2010.

In May 2010, Dr. Todd M. Atkins became the 21st pastor, inspiring and encouraging the congregation in his Kingdom-Building process. Under his leadership, the church has seen several improvements, purchased a church bus and adjacent land for future expansion, and developed new ministries. In August 2022, the Texas Historical Commission awarded Salem Institutional Baptist Church an official Texas Historic Marker, recognizing its significance to African American culture and history in South Dallas and the United States. Pastor Atkins continues to re-establish Salem's community role, notably through the South Dallas Fair Park Faith Coalition and the installation of a "telehealth pod" in July 2024 to bring healthcare directly to neighborhood residents.

Today, Salem remains a beacon of hope, committed to serving its members and the wider community, fostering growth in faith, and looking forward to many more years of ministry and service.