Greater First Missionary Baptist Church History
Greater First Baptist Church came into existence as an outgrowth
of Gilfield Baptist Church, because members of Lisman wanted a church in
their own community. In September of 1913, Brother JC Brown pioneered
this moth to Lisman and became one of the first deacons of the church which
at that time was known as St. Paul. SD Hyman was the first pastor. Rev.
Hyman was instrumental in increasing both membership and financial growth that enabled the members to build their first building across the road from
the school building which is ther present cemetery. The land was donated
by Brother Marion Crowell.
Rev. Hyman served the church as pastor from 1913-1922. Rev. VL Danzy and Rev. D. Evans respectively were the next pastors. In 1929, a Talladega college graduate, CCH Patrick saw the need for a new and larger building. The two acres were purchased from the Gilfield Association. The name of the church was changed from St. Paul to The Greater First Baptist Church. Rev. James Ruffin served a year as assistant pastor to Rev. Patrick and two years as acting pastor. After Rev. Patrick’s resignation, others who served as pastors were: Rev. TH Dixon, Rev. LA Warren, Rev. JC Jones, and Rev. JC Allen. In 1969, Rev. Mose Wimberly was elected pastor. He resigned in 1969. Rev. Allen G. English became the next pastor in 1969. He served the church until his death in 1985. On October 17, 1985, Rev. James McBride Sr. was elected pastor. On August 1, 1992, Rev. Elijah Fowler was elected pastor of the church followed by Rev. Cleveland Hayes, Rev. AJ Jordan, Rev. Wayne Benn, Rev. Charles Dailey, and Rev. Joseph Patterson. Previous deacons included: JC Brown, PC Chatman, ED Thomas, WB Malone, OL Keeton, Peter Ruffin, George Harbin, Albert House, Jesse Spears, JT Banks, BJ Hodge, Danzie Ruffin, Leo Ruffin, Arthur Vinson, Lourie Ruffin, Johnny K. Adams, & Terrance Ruffin. There were various changes to the church under these Pastors’ and Deacons’ leadership. Other ministers in the membership included the following: Rev. LI Spears, Rev. LW Kinnibrew, Rev. RD Dothard, and Dr. Horace Howard.
Our most recent leadership was under Pastor Jermaine D. Keys. Pastor Keys resigned June 9, 2019. Effective January 2022, Pastor Donald R. Naylor Sr. became the pastor of GFMBC. Our current deacons are Frank Ruffin Sr. Odis Crowell Jr, Jeff Ruffin, Sr. and John F. Adams. Our trustees are as follow: Melvin Johnson, Woodrow Ruffin, Peggie Adams, Annie Crowell, & Mary J. Howard. The Sunday School has had the following dedicated superintendents: Sanford Lewis, ED Thomas, Willie Malone, Alonzo Franklin, Matthew Howard, James Gorman, Reginald Thomas, and Lourie Ruffin. Our present superintendent is John P. Ollison. Our records have been kept by Lewis, RF James, Lillian Hodge, Arthur Vinson, Marguerite Brown, Samantha Lewis, Rutha Ollison, & Lamareshia Johnson. Shannon B. Adams is the current church clerk.
There have been many people who have worked diligently to make sure our church is a better place to worship. We are grateful to God for all the ways that he has and will bless Greater First Missionary Baptist Church.
The Greater First Baptist Church doors are open every Sunday morning at 9:30 A.M. for Sunday School and 11:00 A.M. for worship service. Bible Study is every Wednesday at 6:00 P.M.
Greater First Baptist Church came into existence as an outgrowth
of Gilfield Baptist Church, because members of Lisman wanted a church in
their own community. In September of 1913, Brother JC Brown pioneered
this moth to Lisman and became one of the first deacons of the church which
at that time was known as St. Paul. SD Hyman was the first pastor. Rev.
Hyman was instrumental in increasing both membership and financial growth that enabled the members to build their first building across the road from
the school building which is ther present cemetery. The land was donated
by Brother Marion Crowell.
Rev. Hyman served the church as pastor from 1913-1922. Rev. VL Danzy and Rev. D. Evans respectively were the next pastors. In 1929, a Talladega college graduate, CCH Patrick saw the need for a new and larger building. The two acres were purchased from the Gilfield Association. The name of the church was changed from St. Paul to The Greater First Baptist Church. Rev. James Ruffin served a year as assistant pastor to Rev. Patrick and two years as acting pastor. After Rev. Patrick’s resignation, others who served as pastors were: Rev. TH Dixon, Rev. LA Warren, Rev. JC Jones, and Rev. JC Allen. In 1969, Rev. Mose Wimberly was elected pastor. He resigned in 1969. Rev. Allen G. English became the next pastor in 1969. He served the church until his death in 1985. On October 17, 1985, Rev. James McBride Sr. was elected pastor. On August 1, 1992, Rev. Elijah Fowler was elected pastor of the church followed by Rev. Cleveland Hayes, Rev. AJ Jordan, Rev. Wayne Benn, Rev. Charles Dailey, and Rev. Joseph Patterson. Previous deacons included: JC Brown, PC Chatman, ED Thomas, WB Malone, OL Keeton, Peter Ruffin, George Harbin, Albert House, Jesse Spears, JT Banks, BJ Hodge, Danzie Ruffin, Leo Ruffin, Arthur Vinson, Lourie Ruffin, Johnny K. Adams, & Terrance Ruffin. There were various changes to the church under these Pastors’ and Deacons’ leadership. Other ministers in the membership included the following: Rev. LI Spears, Rev. LW Kinnibrew, Rev. RD Dothard, and Dr. Horace Howard.
Our most recent leadership was under Pastor Jermaine D. Keys. Pastor Keys resigned June 9, 2019. Effective January 2022, Pastor Donald R. Naylor Sr. became the pastor of GFMBC. Our current deacons are Frank Ruffin Sr. Odis Crowell Jr, Jeff Ruffin, Sr. and John F. Adams. Our trustees are as follow: Melvin Johnson, Woodrow Ruffin, Peggie Adams, Annie Crowell, & Mary J. Howard. The Sunday School has had the following dedicated superintendents: Sanford Lewis, ED Thomas, Willie Malone, Alonzo Franklin, Matthew Howard, James Gorman, Reginald Thomas, and Lourie Ruffin. Our present superintendent is John P. Ollison. Our records have been kept by Lewis, RF James, Lillian Hodge, Arthur Vinson, Marguerite Brown, Samantha Lewis, Rutha Ollison, & Lamareshia Johnson. Shannon B. Adams is the current church clerk.
There have been many people who have worked diligently to make sure our church is a better place to worship. We are grateful to God for all the ways that he has and will bless Greater First Missionary Baptist Church.
The Greater First Baptist Church doors are open every Sunday morning at 9:30 A.M. for Sunday School and 11:00 A.M. for worship service. Bible Study is every Wednesday at 6:00 P.M.
Pastors who have served
From 1913 to 2016
1. Rev. SD Hyman
2. Rev. VL Danzy
3. Rev. D. Evans
4. CCH Patrick
5. Rev. James Ruffin
5. Rev. TH Dixon
6. Rev. LA Warren
7. Rev. JC Jones
8. Rev. JC Allen
9. Rev. Mose Wimberly
10.Rev. Allen G. English
11. Rev. James McBride Sr.
12.August 1, 1992, 12 Rev.
13. Elijah Fowler
14.Rev. Cleveland Hayes from
1993 to 1997
15.Rev.Wayne Benn
16.Rev. Charles Dailey
17.Pastor Joseph C. 18.Patterson
19.Rev, Jermaine D Keys
20. Pastor Donald R. Naylor Sr. ---- currently servicing
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Greater First Missionary Baptist Church
9935 Crowell Dr, (PO Box 259) Lisman, AL 36912 205-398-2128 |
Service Every Sunday
Sunday School 9:30am Worship and Praise 11:00am Bible Study Wednesdays 6:00pm Web Hosted by 1st Technology Service
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