About

About Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church

Prior to the Civil War, and until 1866 all local Baptists, both Black and White, belonged to the same church. In 1866, the Black members of the Baptist Church withdrew, and organized what is now known as the First Missionary Baptist Church. Prior to the division, George Robinson, a friend, and a freed man, was ordained as a minister of the Baptist Church.

In the year of 1869, part of the First Missionary Baptist Church became dissatisfied with the church policies and organized the Woodstock Baptist Church, with Reverend Robinson as pastor. The new organization bought the old Catholic Church building, on the corner of Pullen and Georgia Streets for the amount of $600.00. It was after buying the old Catholic Church that the Woodstock members decided to rename their Church the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. The Church grew rapidly and the membership showed concern for education by establishing a school for Blacks.

On October 9, 1876, in what the Pine Bluff Weekly called “The Great Fire, “the church was badly damaged. The trustee board, with Sam Washington as chairman, sold the lot for $80.00, and then moved the church to a new location. Reverend Robinson pastored the church for twenty-five years until his death in 1895. After his death there were three pastors, Reverend E. 0. Morris. Rev. Hardy, and Rev. S. A. Mosley, who each pastored for about one year.

It was during Reverend S. A. Mosley’s leadership that division again occurred in the church body. He was discharged and took with him a group of members. At this time the Grace Temple Congregation was organized that same year in 1904 under the leadership of Reverend S. A. Mosley who was elected pastor. The congregation purchased a new church at the corner of 15^th and Georgia Streets, and the church was named Grace Temple Congregation. In the progress of time, the church membership could not defray the expense of the building and Reverend Patterson and the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church purchased Grace Temple’s building.

When the building was purchased, Grace Temple was forced to seek shelter elsewhere, and the membership was invited to unite with the Stranger Rest Church located on 10^th and State Streets. Leaving with about 50 members, they paid off the mortgage at Stranger Rest. When the two (2) churches united they chose the name Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church. Under Reverend Mosley’s leadership Dr. W. D. Watson was appointed the chairman of the building committee. He then exchanged the property on State Street for the property on 9^th and Georgia Streets. The church building was completed in 1921.

In 1952 Reverend G. W. Westbrook was elected pastor. With his leadership many auxiliaries were organized and thus begin functioning. On December 5, 1956, the church was destroyed by fire. We were invited to worship with New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church located at 12th and Missouri Streets. The church was badly damaged by fire a second time in 1960. We were again forced to relocate when the city developed the entire “Texas Bottom” area, as it was then called.

The old property located at, 1320 East 17^th Avenue, was purchased at that time (of the city’s development 1963). The late Reverend J. L. Lawson delivered the first sermon at that location. Several other churches and pastors joined us in our dedication services. The late Reverend Albert King delivered the dedicatory message.

In March 1993, Reverend Amelio P. Howard was elected pastor. Under his leadership interior renovations were made to the church in 1998, and full time service was instituted for the first time in the year 2000.  In 2001 God blessed us to renovate the exterior structure of the church. Different ministries, (such as New Membership Orientation, Evangelism), has been instituted since he became our pastor.  Also in 2001 a faith-based 501 (c) 3 non-profit community development corporation was organized.  Grace Temple Outreach Community Development Corporation was established for outreach activities like housing, childcare, education, senior citizen daycare and drug intervention.

Grace Temple had been looking for property for years to expand its ministry.   On June 8, 2007 an offered was submitted to the Carr Memorial United Methodist Church in reference to purchasing their existing structure.  Carr Memorial United Methodist Church accepted the offer and Grace Temple Church family came together to purchase the property.

The first worship service held at the new location was Sunday, August 12, 2007.  Several churches and pastors, which includes but not limited to, Reverend C. L. Williams & Smith Chapel,  Reverend Patrick Lockett & New Community, Reverend James Murry & Gospel Temple and Reverend LaVara Henry & Damascus, worshipped with us in our dedication services.

In July 2007, the Grace Temple Childcare Learning Center was licensed for 118 children.

The cornerstone was laid on Sunday, June 29, 2008.  The members have risen to the occasion to explore, implement and support the different ministries including but not limited to nursing home visitation, adult daycare visitation and youth mentoring.

Our prayer is that God allow us to be “THE CHURCH” He is looking for in these last and evil days.   We continue to ask God to bless, prosper and enrich our church family by allowing us to continue to grow in membership, spirituality and the knowledge of Him and as promised God is continuing adding to the church.

Our fellowship has been strengthened, and we thank God for His love and His guidance.