To God Be the Glory!
In the year our Lord Nineteen Hundred Three
(exact date unknown), God revealed to a few of His chosen, but humble servants
the need of a local Primitive Baptist Church to be established in the little
town of Bessemer in the state of Alabama.
This revelation was to be a giant footprint on the sands of time, to be used as a stepping stone by many Christians and unsaved sinners down through the years to come. This creation, of a sanctuary in which to worship, was to become a sacred symbol. It was to be like a beautiful rose blossoming on a spring morning. There could not have been a greater revelation of God’s work to man to be carried out.
This sanctuary became a reality under the late Elder Webster, the first minister of this fine group of Christians. Some laymen instrumental in the founding and the organization of this church were: Brothers E. K. Knight, Thomas Patterson, John Ward, Sample Starkey and Lanchester. (No records are available indicating the given name or initials of the Christians if they are not indicated.) The first secretary appointed was Sister J. M. Stone. The first Superintendent of the Church School was Brother I. S. Davis. The first pianist was Brother John Davis. After the organizing and the appointing of persons to serve in various positions, the first meeting place was in a three room house located on Eighth Avenue and Eighteenth Street, North.
As the Lord added to the church, the pioneers ventured farther to seek a larger place to worship. They made plans to build a wood frame church building to be located on Fourth Avenue North between Twenty-first and Twenty-second Streets. In 1911, the late Elder Jack Daniels along with other founding father broke ground for the new building. The church was completed and named Saint Peter Primitive Baptist Church of Christ. Under the pastorate of Elder Daniels, Brothers Thomas Patterson, Lewis, Johnson, Sample, E. K. Knight and Lancaster were ordained as deacons. (There are no records available where there is an omission of the given names, or initials of these Christians.) The trustees of the church were: Brothers Essix Hall, Henry Lake, Fred Varner, Allen Olds, W. Jackson, R. Lewis and T. Patterson.
Down through the years the Church has had several other leaders. They were as follows: Elder Scott, Elder Hines, Elder James and Elder Gardner. These ministers continued to work in the Master’s vineyard. Our records do not indicate the years that they served. They were instrumental in bringing many unsaved sinners to the Christian fold. Each of these ministers was a great pioneer of the ministry, struggling to carry ministerial capacities, each in his own way.
In 1923, Brothers Richmond Davis, Allen Olds, Williams Tabb, Will Polk, Oscar Hanley and Henry Lake were ordained as deacons. Deacons Joe Hicks and Fred Varner were transferred from their hometown churches and served on the deacon board.
In 1929, Elder Gardner resigned to take a church in Montgomery, Alabama. He was a dynamic and outstanding minister during his ministering here.
Succeeding Sister J.M. Stone as secretary were Sisters Lillie Blocker and Beulah Hanley, who served together. Succeeding them were Deacon Allen Olds, Deacon Pitts, Deacon Joe Hicks, Sr., sister Jessie M. Ackers, Brother James Miller, and Brother Jimmie Warren. Deacon George Green, Brother Charlie Jackson and Sister Roxie West served jointly as church secretary. Sister West then served along with Brother frank Moss, who was appointed as financial secretary. Sister West served for twenty years, however, due to ill health she resigned. On February 28, 1961 Sister Emma Williams was appointed as recording secretary. Brother Willie Frank Moss served as financial secretary until his death, September, 1996. In November of 1997, Brother Daniel Oliver was appointed to succeed him as financial secretary. Brother Daniel Oliver and Sister Williams worked together until Sister Emma Williams retired in 2001. Sister Juanita Currington was appointed to succeed her as recording secretary. Sister Juanita Currington and Brother Daniel Oliver are presently serving in these capacities.
The Church School has had many scholarly and devoted Superintendents. They are as follows: Brothers Dave Burks, Deacon Joe Hicks, Sr., Deacon Jim West, Brother Jimmy Warren and Brother Solomon Oliver. Brother Solomon Oliver served until he was called into the ministry and became Assistant Pastor of the Church. In 1967, Sister Louise Proffitt succeeded Brother Oliver. She served as Superintendent until she retired in 1996. At that time Brother Vaughn Pickens was appointed Superintendent . After Brother Pickens, Sister Eunice Boswell was appointed Superintendent and is currently serving in this capacity.
In 1930, Elder Willie A. Clark (known to many as W. A. ) was called to serve as Pastor. Elder Clark was from Austin, Texas. Under his leadership much was accomplished for the well being of the church. The members were successful in paying off the mortgage of the wood frame building. Deacons ordained under Elder Clark’s leadership were: Brothers W. O. McElhaney, George Beck, Lucious Washington, Jim West and Felix Lawson. Deacons Jimmie Warren and George Green were transferred from their former Churches and served on the deacon board.
Also, during later years the following other deacons were ordained: Brothers Linzey Irby, Richard Sledge, Edison Esters, Solomon Oliver, John Hampton, Sr., Eugene Grant, and Lonnie Harris. Deacon Morris Askew was transferred from his hometown church. Trustees appointed during Elder Clark’s leadership were John Hampton, John Tyson, Willie Frank Moss, Ananias Lawrence and Jettie Davis.
In 1938, the Church began its religious broadcast. Our own, Deacon Davis initiated this program. Deacon Davis gave much of his time and talent toward making this program a success. He strived hard to have this program so that the elderly, handicapped and shut-in persons could benefit by hearing the gospel and songs by way of radio. He went from Church to Church at night to help set up the broadcast; thus allowing other Ministers to share in the program. He coordinated these programs to be heard each Sunday morning, mid-day and nights. Deacon Davis will long be remembered for his outstanding work as a Deacon and leader. He loved his Pastor, Church and Members.
Elder Oliver served as Assistant Pastor until 1967, when Elder Clark became stricken in health. On August 27, 1967, Elder Solomon Oliver was call to be Pastor of the Church. Under Elder Oliver’s leadership much was accomplished to edify the name of the Lord and to improve conditions at the Church. In December 1970, Deacons ordained under Pastor Oliver’s leadership were: James Williams, Tommie Currington, Walter Sanders, and Rolley Widemon. Deacons James Larkin and George Crawford were transferred from other Churches to serve. On January 18, 2004 four new deacons were ordained – Alexander Boswell, Jr., Johnny Harrell, Clarence Lee, and Nathan Oliver.
Brother Herman Hall was called into the ministry and on January 27, 1980 was ordained. He was called to Little True Vine Primitive Baptist Church to minister.
On May 16, 1987, Brother Terry Bassett preached his trial sermon here at Saint Peter. He later moved to Huntsville, Alabama and was ordained under Watch Care. He was later called to Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church, Uniontown, Alabama.
In September 1997, Brother Leroy Oliver was ordained into the ministry and was called to Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church in BougueChitto, Alabama on November 9, 1997.
On June 6, 2004, Brother Henry Wyche announced his calling into the ministry. He preached his trial sermon on June 20, 2004 and was issued a license at that time.
According to Deacon Williams Tabb, the following persons have served as pastor of this church: Elder Jack Daniel, Elder Hines, Elder Williams Scott, Elder James, Elder Gardner, Elder W. A. Clark and Elder Solomon Oliver. Elder Solomon Oliver served as pastor for 39 years until God called him from labor to reward on September 14, 2006. In April 2009 the church called Elder Calvin O. Large to serve as pastor. He is currently serving in this capacity.
We are thankful for our past Christian leaders and pioneering soldiers who have worked so hard to make it possible for us to enjoy a place of worship with a reasonable amount of comfort as we march forward on this Christian journey.
We would like to also express our appreciation to our present leaders for the accomplishments that have been made and for their devotion and willingness to continue to work for the progress of the Lord’s Church and the will of God. We pray that Good will continue to shower His blessings upon you so that you may continue to lead His flock in the path of righteousness.
The church is a member of the National Primitive Baptist Convention. The Convention is under new leadership; the Reverend Bernard Yates is now president. We look forward to continued progress by the church at large under his leadership.
This revelation was to be a giant footprint on the sands of time, to be used as a stepping stone by many Christians and unsaved sinners down through the years to come. This creation, of a sanctuary in which to worship, was to become a sacred symbol. It was to be like a beautiful rose blossoming on a spring morning. There could not have been a greater revelation of God’s work to man to be carried out.
This sanctuary became a reality under the late Elder Webster, the first minister of this fine group of Christians. Some laymen instrumental in the founding and the organization of this church were: Brothers E. K. Knight, Thomas Patterson, John Ward, Sample Starkey and Lanchester. (No records are available indicating the given name or initials of the Christians if they are not indicated.) The first secretary appointed was Sister J. M. Stone. The first Superintendent of the Church School was Brother I. S. Davis. The first pianist was Brother John Davis. After the organizing and the appointing of persons to serve in various positions, the first meeting place was in a three room house located on Eighth Avenue and Eighteenth Street, North.
As the Lord added to the church, the pioneers ventured farther to seek a larger place to worship. They made plans to build a wood frame church building to be located on Fourth Avenue North between Twenty-first and Twenty-second Streets. In 1911, the late Elder Jack Daniels along with other founding father broke ground for the new building. The church was completed and named Saint Peter Primitive Baptist Church of Christ. Under the pastorate of Elder Daniels, Brothers Thomas Patterson, Lewis, Johnson, Sample, E. K. Knight and Lancaster were ordained as deacons. (There are no records available where there is an omission of the given names, or initials of these Christians.) The trustees of the church were: Brothers Essix Hall, Henry Lake, Fred Varner, Allen Olds, W. Jackson, R. Lewis and T. Patterson.
Down through the years the Church has had several other leaders. They were as follows: Elder Scott, Elder Hines, Elder James and Elder Gardner. These ministers continued to work in the Master’s vineyard. Our records do not indicate the years that they served. They were instrumental in bringing many unsaved sinners to the Christian fold. Each of these ministers was a great pioneer of the ministry, struggling to carry ministerial capacities, each in his own way.
In 1923, Brothers Richmond Davis, Allen Olds, Williams Tabb, Will Polk, Oscar Hanley and Henry Lake were ordained as deacons. Deacons Joe Hicks and Fred Varner were transferred from their hometown churches and served on the deacon board.
In 1929, Elder Gardner resigned to take a church in Montgomery, Alabama. He was a dynamic and outstanding minister during his ministering here.
Succeeding Sister J.M. Stone as secretary were Sisters Lillie Blocker and Beulah Hanley, who served together. Succeeding them were Deacon Allen Olds, Deacon Pitts, Deacon Joe Hicks, Sr., sister Jessie M. Ackers, Brother James Miller, and Brother Jimmie Warren. Deacon George Green, Brother Charlie Jackson and Sister Roxie West served jointly as church secretary. Sister West then served along with Brother frank Moss, who was appointed as financial secretary. Sister West served for twenty years, however, due to ill health she resigned. On February 28, 1961 Sister Emma Williams was appointed as recording secretary. Brother Willie Frank Moss served as financial secretary until his death, September, 1996. In November of 1997, Brother Daniel Oliver was appointed to succeed him as financial secretary. Brother Daniel Oliver and Sister Williams worked together until Sister Emma Williams retired in 2001. Sister Juanita Currington was appointed to succeed her as recording secretary. Sister Juanita Currington and Brother Daniel Oliver are presently serving in these capacities.
The Church School has had many scholarly and devoted Superintendents. They are as follows: Brothers Dave Burks, Deacon Joe Hicks, Sr., Deacon Jim West, Brother Jimmy Warren and Brother Solomon Oliver. Brother Solomon Oliver served until he was called into the ministry and became Assistant Pastor of the Church. In 1967, Sister Louise Proffitt succeeded Brother Oliver. She served as Superintendent until she retired in 1996. At that time Brother Vaughn Pickens was appointed Superintendent . After Brother Pickens, Sister Eunice Boswell was appointed Superintendent and is currently serving in this capacity.
In 1930, Elder Willie A. Clark (known to many as W. A. ) was called to serve as Pastor. Elder Clark was from Austin, Texas. Under his leadership much was accomplished for the well being of the church. The members were successful in paying off the mortgage of the wood frame building. Deacons ordained under Elder Clark’s leadership were: Brothers W. O. McElhaney, George Beck, Lucious Washington, Jim West and Felix Lawson. Deacons Jimmie Warren and George Green were transferred from their former Churches and served on the deacon board.
Also, during later years the following other deacons were ordained: Brothers Linzey Irby, Richard Sledge, Edison Esters, Solomon Oliver, John Hampton, Sr., Eugene Grant, and Lonnie Harris. Deacon Morris Askew was transferred from his hometown church. Trustees appointed during Elder Clark’s leadership were John Hampton, John Tyson, Willie Frank Moss, Ananias Lawrence and Jettie Davis.
In 1938, the Church began its religious broadcast. Our own, Deacon Davis initiated this program. Deacon Davis gave much of his time and talent toward making this program a success. He strived hard to have this program so that the elderly, handicapped and shut-in persons could benefit by hearing the gospel and songs by way of radio. He went from Church to Church at night to help set up the broadcast; thus allowing other Ministers to share in the program. He coordinated these programs to be heard each Sunday morning, mid-day and nights. Deacon Davis will long be remembered for his outstanding work as a Deacon and leader. He loved his Pastor, Church and Members.
Elder Oliver served as Assistant Pastor until 1967, when Elder Clark became stricken in health. On August 27, 1967, Elder Solomon Oliver was call to be Pastor of the Church. Under Elder Oliver’s leadership much was accomplished to edify the name of the Lord and to improve conditions at the Church. In December 1970, Deacons ordained under Pastor Oliver’s leadership were: James Williams, Tommie Currington, Walter Sanders, and Rolley Widemon. Deacons James Larkin and George Crawford were transferred from other Churches to serve. On January 18, 2004 four new deacons were ordained – Alexander Boswell, Jr., Johnny Harrell, Clarence Lee, and Nathan Oliver.
Brother Herman Hall was called into the ministry and on January 27, 1980 was ordained. He was called to Little True Vine Primitive Baptist Church to minister.
On May 16, 1987, Brother Terry Bassett preached his trial sermon here at Saint Peter. He later moved to Huntsville, Alabama and was ordained under Watch Care. He was later called to Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church, Uniontown, Alabama.
In September 1997, Brother Leroy Oliver was ordained into the ministry and was called to Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church in BougueChitto, Alabama on November 9, 1997.
On June 6, 2004, Brother Henry Wyche announced his calling into the ministry. He preached his trial sermon on June 20, 2004 and was issued a license at that time.
According to Deacon Williams Tabb, the following persons have served as pastor of this church: Elder Jack Daniel, Elder Hines, Elder Williams Scott, Elder James, Elder Gardner, Elder W. A. Clark and Elder Solomon Oliver. Elder Solomon Oliver served as pastor for 39 years until God called him from labor to reward on September 14, 2006. In April 2009 the church called Elder Calvin O. Large to serve as pastor. He is currently serving in this capacity.
We are thankful for our past Christian leaders and pioneering soldiers who have worked so hard to make it possible for us to enjoy a place of worship with a reasonable amount of comfort as we march forward on this Christian journey.
We would like to also express our appreciation to our present leaders for the accomplishments that have been made and for their devotion and willingness to continue to work for the progress of the Lord’s Church and the will of God. We pray that Good will continue to shower His blessings upon you so that you may continue to lead His flock in the path of righteousness.
The church is a member of the National Primitive Baptist Convention. The Convention is under new leadership; the Reverend Bernard Yates is now president. We look forward to continued progress by the church at large under his leadership.