St. Matthew Baptist Church

St. Matthew Baptist Church History

 

St. Matthew, a friendly Christian Church was born in October 1953, when a group of baptized believers in Jesus Christ had vision to organize a church. They met in a wooden building on Georgia Baptist Drive, now Shurling Drive. The building was owned by the late Deacon Virgil Hunt. The late Rev. B. Lockhart did the prayer; the late Rev. J. Simmons did the hymn, the late Rev. R. Dean of Cordele, Georgia, delivered the message.  

 

Pastor Woodson - 1953-1955

Pastor CJ Andrews - 1956-1988

Pastor Eugene Cabiness - 1988-1996

 

 

In June 1999, Rev. Barry D. Mitchell, Sr. was elected to serve as Pastor of  the St. Matthew Baptist Church. 

 

In February 26, 2012, we held our last worship service in the old sanctuary. “To GOD Be the Glory for His Blessings”!

 

In March 2012, the St. Matthew Baptist Church began the renovation of over a two hundred thousand dollar facility that would house a remodeled and updated sanctuary, Pastor’s Study and Lounge, Office’s, Classrooms and enlarged fellowship hall which was dedicated to the Late Rev C.J. Andrews and Deacon William Ross. The Sanctuary was completed in August of 2012. On September 9, 2012 we marched into our new edifice with praise and “JOY”. Dedicatory services were held every Tuesday in the Month of October with guest pastors from surrounding churches, and climaxed on October 28, 2012 with worship service at 10:30am with Bishop Dexter B. Lamar & the Greater High Hope Christian Center and celebrated our 59th Church Anniversary and Dedication service at 2:30pm by our Moderator, Rev. Dr. Walter L. Glover, Jr. and the Greater Zion Hill Baptist Church family along with the Union Baptist Missionary & Educational Association, Inc.

 

St. Matthew continues to experience growth in membership and has become known as simply, “A Place for All People”, a church that is building bridges for future generations. The membership continues to be blessed under the leadership of Pastor Barry D. Mitchell, Sr., as he is led by the Holy Spirit. We are striving and working toward being the type of church God is calling for in the last days.