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Church History
Peace Missionary Baptist Church became a reality on May 21, 1917, at Rock
Quarry Quarters near Thomas Furnace in Birmingham, Alabama. Rev. C.
Jones was pastor. In 1924 the church moved to French Town, a community
within Pratt City. The move was to a little house located on the corner of
Faull Avenue (10th Street) and 1st Street, (Avenue W). Rev. Beasley was
pastor.
In 1926, the church moved to the upstairs of Bray's Hall. Reorganizing, they
called Rev. Joseph McCarthy Garner. Encouraged by Rev. Garner and
Brother Sherman Wiley, the church moved to the present site, the corner of
10th Street (Faull Avenue), and Avenue M (6th Street) into a small double
tenant house with the intent of buying the house for $650. Under the
leadership of Rev. Garner, the membership grew. The house was purchased
and improved. Among other improvements, sanitation facilities were
installed. After pastoring for 23 years, Rev. Joseph McCarthy Garner passed
away in 1949. Rev. A. Brooks served as interim pastor.
The founding members of the congregation included Brother Sherman Wiley,
Sister Mary Wiley, Brother Nelson Massey, and Sister Eliza Massey. In 1949
Rev. J.H.Henry was called to be pastor. The membership continued to grow
under his leadership. More land was purchased.
In 1956, with $2,175.00 in the treasury, the church decided to buy a new
edifice (pay as we go). The foundation was dug in 1956. Rev Henry kept
the people inspired and together. The men of the church did most of the
work.
In 1962, the church obtained a loan for $23,500 from Jefferson Federal
Bank. The money from the loan was used to finish and furnish the church.
The church was completed in September 1963. Rev. E. Williams, who was
then Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Fairfield, Alabama, preached the
dedicatorial sermon. The name of the church was changed from Peace
Baptist Church to Peace Missionary Baptist Church of French Town in
Birmingham, Alabama. Rev. J. H. Henry served until his health failed, after
which, he resigned and became Pastor Emeritus. He passed away on
August 4, 1976. Rev.J. S. Thompson served as interim pastor.
In 1971, the church called Rev. L. L. Ruffin. Under his leadership the church
prospered. A central heating and air unit was installed, the grounds were
paved, along with other improvements. Rev. Ruffin resigned as pastor on
January 23, 1977. Rev. J. S. Thompson again served as interim pastor.
On May 14, 1977, the church called Rev. Rogers L. White as pastor. The
membership continued to grow. Several improvements were made. New
carpet was installed, the pews were cushioned, a new lighting system was
installed, a bus ministry was started, and a new sound system was
installed. Rev. White resigned as pastor on May 26, 1985.
On the fourth Sunday in October 1985, the church called Rev. Major W.
Burrell as pastor. Under his leadership the church continues to grow in it's
outreach programs as well as spiritually and socially. A distinct trustee
board has been organized, a tutorial program has been implemented,
scholarships and awards are provided yearly, two church vans have been
purchased, a burglar alarm system has been installed, a church parsonage
has been purchased, the bathrooms and the kitchen have been remodeled,
the pews have been recovered, new musical instruments have been
purchased (a baby grande piano and a set of drums). Numerous other
improvements have taken place including an advanced PA system.
Transportation to and from the church is now available to members in need
of this service, and the church has served as a site for registration and
distribution of food items provided by the state.
The members are more conscientious of being humble to one another and
have increased their awareness of Bible Study, teacher's meeting, and
prayer service.
Pastor Burrell's vision of an ultra-modern facility consisting of a new
sanctuary and family life center, several lots have been purchased near and
around the church.
We look forward to the future with confidence that God will continue to
bless the efforts of his people.
Peace Missionary Baptist Church became a reality on May 21, 1917, at Rock
Quarry Quarters near Thomas Furnace in Birmingham, Alabama. Rev. C.
Jones was pastor. In 1924 the church moved to French Town, a community
within Pratt City. The move was to a little house located on the corner of
Faull Avenue (10th Street) and 1st Street, (Avenue W). Rev. Beasley was
pastor.
In 1926, the church moved to the upstairs of Bray's Hall. Reorganizing, they
called Rev. Joseph McCarthy Garner. Encouraged by Rev. Garner and
Brother Sherman Wiley, the church moved to the present site, the corner of
10th Street (Faull Avenue), and Avenue M (6th Street) into a small double
tenant house with the intent of buying the house for $650. Under the
leadership of Rev. Garner, the membership grew. The house was purchased
and improved. Among other improvements, sanitation facilities were
installed. After pastoring for 23 years, Rev. Joseph McCarthy Garner passed
away in 1949. Rev. A. Brooks served as interim pastor.
The founding members of the congregation included Brother Sherman Wiley,
Sister Mary Wiley, Brother Nelson Massey, and Sister Eliza Massey. In 1949
Rev. J.H.Henry was called to be pastor. The membership continued to grow
under his leadership. More land was purchased.
In 1956, with $2,175.00 in the treasury, the church decided to buy a new
edifice (pay as we go). The foundation was dug in 1956. Rev Henry kept
the people inspired and together. The men of the church did most of the
work.
In 1962, the church obtained a loan for $23,500 from Jefferson Federal
Bank. The money from the loan was used to finish and furnish the church.
The church was completed in September 1963. Rev. E. Williams, who was
then Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Fairfield, Alabama, preached the
dedicatorial sermon. The name of the church was changed from Peace
Baptist Church to Peace Missionary Baptist Church of French Town in
Birmingham, Alabama. Rev. J. H. Henry served until his health failed, after
which, he resigned and became Pastor Emeritus. He passed away on
August 4, 1976. Rev.J. S. Thompson served as interim pastor.
In 1971, the church called Rev. L. L. Ruffin. Under his leadership the church
prospered. A central heating and air unit was installed, the grounds were
paved, along with other improvements. Rev. Ruffin resigned as pastor on
January 23, 1977. Rev. J. S. Thompson again served as interim pastor.
On May 14, 1977, the church called Rev. Rogers L. White as pastor. The
membership continued to grow. Several improvements were made. New
carpet was installed, the pews were cushioned, a new lighting system was
installed, a bus ministry was started, and a new sound system was
installed. Rev. White resigned as pastor on May 26, 1985.
On the fourth Sunday in October 1985, the church called Rev. Major W.
Burrell as pastor. Under his leadership the church continues to grow in it's
outreach programs as well as spiritually and socially. A distinct trustee
board has been organized, a tutorial program has been implemented,
scholarships and awards are provided yearly, two church vans have been
purchased, a burglar alarm system has been installed, a church parsonage
has been purchased, the bathrooms and the kitchen have been remodeled,
the pews have been recovered, new musical instruments have been
purchased (a baby grande piano and a set of drums). Numerous other
improvements have taken place including an advanced PA system.
Transportation to and from the church is now available to members in need
of this service, and the church has served as a site for registration and
distribution of food items provided by the state.
The members are more conscientious of being humble to one another and
have increased their awareness of Bible Study, teacher's meeting, and
prayer service.
Pastor Burrell's vision of an ultra-modern facility consisting of a new
sanctuary and family life center, several lots have been purchased near and
around the church.
We look forward to the future with confidence that God will continue to
bless the efforts of his people.
Peace Missionary Baptist Church
Major W. Burrell, Pastor
"The Church With A Vision Of God"
Major W. Burrell, Pastor
"The Church With A Vision Of God"
| Our Vision Ground Breaking 2005 |
1300-10th Street, Pratt City
Birmingham, Alabama 35214
Phone: 798-2180
peacebaptist@bellsouth.net
Birmingham, Alabama 35214
Phone: 798-2180
peacebaptist@bellsouth.net
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