Church History
For years this church has stood as a sentinel pointing men and women, boys and girls to the Heavenly way. This church has had many God-like, devout, Christian preachers who have preached the gospel so that everyone could hear of Jesus Christ, know of his goodness and see His works in the lives of men.
Persecution has not crushed the church. Power has not beaten the church. Time has not abated the church’s force. The abuses and treasons of the enemies has not shaken the church’s stability, for the church is founded on a Rock.
May we turn the pages of history back to the beginning of St. Peter to get a glimpse of our religious heritage, and give honorable recognition to those who made worthy contributions to its growth.
The history of St.Peter is one of heroic struggle. The first record that we have of the church is the transaction of the property deeded to the trustees of the church by Dea. Jake Johnson, January 14, 1889 as recorded in Probate Office in book 201, page 461. Additional property was purchased from Sis. Rosetta Garth in 1889.
The early history of the church was collected from our older members. We are truly grateful to the late Dea. Woodie Johnson, Sr. and the late Mother Alma Collier, who was able to give us information from their memory of the early church, and to all who shared their knowledge and memories to make writing this history possible.
We have no written record as to when the church was actually organized, we are told that they gathered in various homes and sometimes in places called “Brush Harbor”. The church was organized under the leadership of Rev. Henry Ellis. Through hard work and prayers of a small but dedicated membership, the church grew into a very active organization. The Rev. Crawford Hooks succeeded Rev. Ellis as pastor. Other pastors were the Rev. George Elders, Q.T. Miles, Wiley Wilhite, Peter Whitfield, Aaron Troop, W.B. Campbell, J.W. Cartwright, Henry Campbell, James Kelly, and Samuel Moore.
The following deacons and trustees devoted their services to St. Peter: Brothers Jake Johnson, Ben Pillars, John Johnson, Sterling Jones, Dick Hunt, Lawson Atkins, William Garth, Joe Chambers, Isom McDaniel, Henry Thompson, Hayward Matthews, Daniel Matthews, Charlie Houston, Nathan Gill, Roy Garth, George Barker, Earl Matthews, Mose Crutcher, Patrick Matthews, John Matthews, Woodie Johnson, Sr. Robert Humphrey, Sr., and Robert S. Polk.
January 1985, the church experienced a division, this was a great loss that caused much pain, however, they that trust in the Lord shall be as Mt. Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.
May 19, 1985, Rev. Ronald Roach was elected as pastor; from his spiritual inspiration the church faced the future with confidence. On October 6, 1985, we held our first Baptism in the newly installed pool. God continued to smile on us with the leadership and spiritual guidance of Rev. Roach. Good management of a dedicated board of deacons, and the cooperation of a band of determined members also contributed to the progress and spiritual growth of the church. Through the hard work and dedication of the members and careful financial management of Dea. Charles Beason, Sr., Finance Director, the loan was paid off five and half years early, saving the church a substantial amount of interest. A Mortgage Burning Ceremony was held February 26, 1989. This was a very spiritual and happy day in the life of St. Peter. Rev. Dr. Calvin Matthews preached an inspirational and soul-reviving sermon that will long be remembered.
Many improvements were made during the next few years to beautify and enhance the building.
December 30, 1989, Rev. Roach resigned as pastor.
January 5, 1991, Rev. Walter Johnson was issued new license by the church and served as associate.
Through the leadership and guidance of our next pastor, Johnette Mayes the church grew stronger, both spiritually and financially. St. Peter became a member of the Muscle Shoals Missionary Baptist Association.
Sis. Phyllis Boulden was elected a representative to serve on the Trustee Board of the Association. Dea. Curtis Thomas, Jr. and Dea. Daryl Watkins announced their calling into the ministry. On October 20, 1991, Dea. Thomas preached his first sermon at St. Peter. November 17, 1991, Dea. Daryl Watkins preached his first sermon. They were ordained and issued license to preach and served as associate ministers of the church.
Rev. Daryl Watkins wrote a book of Sermonettes titled, “Running and Nowhere to Hide”. This book was published and put on the market in December 1991.
February 9, 1992, Patrick Turner was ordained as a deacon. Pastor Mayes preached an uplifting sermon, “Are You Qualified?” Dea. Turner is a very strong and wise Christian and has been a very good leader through the years.
April 1992, the beginning of a Library and Readers Club was organized through the earnest effort of our Library Committee: Sisters Edwina Beason, Director and Deborah Butler, Cynthia Davis, Sondra Green, Lou Stoudemire, and Deborah Ellison. This auxiliary gave the children an opportunity to increase their knowledge and growth.
September 3, 1992, five Trustees: Charles Beason, Sr., Willie Brown, Richard Rather, Curtis Fletcher, and Patrick Turner met at First Federal Bank, Decatur, and a contract for the final closing was signed on the loan secured for the expansion of the building. On September 4, 1992 at 8:30 A.M. a Ground Breaking Ceremony was held.
Pastor Mayes, Deacons Rather, Fletcher, Brown, and Architect Bill Thompson cut the ribbon. On September 10th, construction began.
Sunday School and Morning Worship Services were held at the Seven-Day Adventist Church during the construction and renovation of the building.
January 3, 1993, we moved back into the church, a Dedication Service was preached by Pastor Mayes. We were blessed with a Nursery, Lounge, Library, Classrooms, Large Fellowship Hall, Pastor’s Study, Finance Office, Choir Room, four bathrooms, and a paved parking lot. “Ain’t God Good!”
In February 1994, Bro. Allen Humphrey and Bro. Prenell Dunbar were ordained as deacons. June 1994, the organization of a Children’s Church and Athletic Department was added to the auxiliaries. Dea. Patrick and Sis. Gloria Turner were appointed as Directors of Children’s Church by Pastor Mayes. Bro. Andrew Butler was appointed as Director of the Athletic Department.
January, 1996, the church was again facing a division. There was much confusion and disagreements that led us to be without a pastor. Rev. Daryl Watkins, Associate Minister, was appointed by the Deacon Board to take charge of Worship Service. Rev. Watkins immediately took over directing, supervising, teaching, counseling, and preaching the Word. He showed a personal interest in every member by calling or going to visit.
April 1997, Rev. Frank H. Franklin, Jr., was elected pastor. Under the guidance of God and his leadership we were blessed and many accomplishments were also achieved.
On May 16, 1999, Sis. Joyce Coffman preached her first sermon and was issued preaching license, and served as an Associate Minister.
On March 19 & 22, 2000, the teens of St. Peter presented the drama “Flight 2101”. This drama stressed the importance of serving God and putting him first in our lives. It was very well supported and attended by all in our church as well as the community.
Pastor Franklin appointed an Educational Board during the 1999-2000 school year. The Board consists of: Dea. Patrick Turner, Sisters Anita Clarke, Yolanda Dunbar, Linda Robinson, and Jennifer Peck. The Educational Board endeavors to encourage our students to excel academically by rewarding good grades and is supported by monetary donations.
Bro. Clarence Roberts announced his calling into the ministry early in the year of 2001. He preached his first sermon on July 22, 2001, and then served as an Associate Minister for a brief period of time.
St. Peter continues to participate in various community activities and has set new goals for the new millennium. Our church is a partner with First United Methodist Church in the Connect Decatur Program which strives to promote better relations and more understanding between different racial, cultural, and religious groups in our city.
The year 2002 was another difficult year for our church family. Once again we were without a pastor. Again, Rev. Watkins presided over Worship Services and encouraged all of us during this time.
Dr. Howard Middlebrooks, Sr. was called to be pastor of St. Peter on June 14, 2003. He was officially installed as our pastor on July 27, 2003. Pastor Middlebrooks brings with him, his wife, Mattie, and two sons Howard and Hosea.
Dea Curtis. Fletcher relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana in September of 2003. He will be greatly missed by everyone. The assistant chairman of the Deacon Board, Dea. Willie Brown, assumed the position of Chairman. Dea. Prenell Dunbar was appointed as the Assistant Chairman of the Deacon Board. Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, Dea. Patrick Turner became Superintendent of our Sunday School. Dea. Richard Rather was appointed to serve as Assistant Sunday School Superintendent.
The Lord called two of our faithful members home in 2003: Bro. Allen Humphrey and Mother Elsie Baker. They will long be remembered and missed.
Our partnership with our Connect Decatur Church Family continues and is stronger that ever. We have come together and enjoyed several new endeavors, such as softball games, picnics, Bible study groups, Men’s Breakfasts, along with choir and pastor swaps. Dea. Prenell Dunbar and Sis. Yolanda Dunbar oversees the Connect Decatur Program. This committee always seeks to add new members and welcomes anyone who would like to join the Program.
Due to the support and cooperation of our faithful membership we were able to pay off the mortgage on our church building five years early. It was paid in full on December 23, 2003. Also, on this date the church purchased the adjacent 3.8 acres for future growth and needs.
During the early part of 2003 the following members were trained and certified in CPR: Sis. Anita Clark, Sis. Linda Moseley, Sis. Demetrice Causey, Sis. Teresa Hambright, Sis. Lula Harris, Sis. Mattie Middlebrooks, and Rev. Barry Causey.
Rev. Barry Causey was ordained as minister on March 28, 2004. God continues to bless and use Rev. Causey in His Service here at St. Peter.
Sis. Gloria Turner was named Youth Director at our second quarterly business meeting in April 2004. She continues to encourage our Youth by directing the Youth Choir, overseeing Wednesday night Bible Study classes, and planning activities for their spiritual growth and fellowship. A Back-to-School Workshop was held and provided our students with the information and tools needed to help them excel in their academic studies during the coming year.
Brother Jeffrey Clarke was ordained to serve as a Deacon on May 29, 2005. His wife, Sis. Anita Clarke was installed as a Deaconess’ and Sis. Lillie Rawls was installed as a Mother on that same day.
Rev. Barry Causey and his family relocated to Enterprise, AL this past August, of course many tears and painful good-byes accompanied them. All of them will be missed for years to come.
Rev. Joseph Ashford was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel on September 18, 2005. This was a most joyous occasion and we pray that the LORD will continue to lead and use Rev. Ashford in a powerful way!
In November 2005, Brother Jimmie Buford was ordained as a Deacon. Also. Bother Rogers Hunt was appointed as a Deacon. Their wives; Sister Amie Buford and Sister Francis Hunt were installed as a Deaconess’ on that same day.
The Lord called one of our loving and faithful members home in 2006; Sister Eula Humphrey. She will be remembered and dearly missed.
We were pleased to welcome thirteen new members to the St. Peter Church Family this past year, eight of them by water baptism; also, two for Rededication and one Watch Care.
Pastor Middlebrooks continues to be a spirit-filled, motivating leader for our members. Several workshops and training seminars were held during the past year. Christian Stewardship Lessons continue each Wednesday night to inform and motivate all members to carry out their Christian duties as instructed in the Word of God. He and his family celebrated their third anniversary with us this year and strive to continue “Building the Kingdom of God, by the Word of God”. We pray for God’s continuous guidance and blessings on our pastor and his family as he endeavors to lead St. Peter in the direction God would have us to go.
Our Great and Wondrous God has brought us to this moment, our One Hundred Seventeenth Anniversary!!
The St. Peter Church Family has been blessed with 16 new members since November of 2007. Nine of these members joined under Christian experience and 7 by water baptism. We are thankful to God for continuously Building His Kingdom, by the His Word.
Unfortunately, among the many blessing that St. Peter has been given, we have endured a great lost. Sister Sondra Green, a faithful and dedicated laborer passed away July of 2008. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.
May our church continue to “Stand On A Sure Foundation” as a Living Testimony of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who died that all men might live.
TO GOD WE GIVE THE GLORY!!!
