CHURCH HISTORY
Highlights of Daniel Missionary Baptist Church History
In 1933, Rev. R. B. Ford established the Daniel Missionary Baptist Church in Tuskegee, Alabama. The Church history is one rich in faith, tradition, commitment and service.
During its over 75-year history, the church has had 10 pastors. They are:
Daniel Missionary Baptist Church ministry began under the guidance of Rev. R. B. Ford in 1934. The original building was a simple sanctuary with an office in the back. The early supporters of the church were called, “the Busy Bee Club”. It was located on the then “Daniel Corridor”, now known as Gautier Street. The rest is history. Rev. Ford, community leaders and well-wishers from local churches such as Friendship Baptist, Mt. Olive Baptist, Macedonia Baptist, and Butler Chapel A.M.E. Zion, assisted in planning the growth and development of Daniel Missionary Baptist Church. This group of supporters was called “the Willing Workers”. Rev. R. B. Ford had previously served as Pastor for Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church (Opelika, AL) and Greater St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church (Tuskegee). During Rev. Ford’s tenure as pastor, Daniel Missionary Baptist Church was a member of the Hardaway District. At the helm of the district was Rev. Ford, who served as moderator for many years. Under Rev. Ford’s leadership some outstanding programs were started at Daniel Missionary Baptist Church. Some of his accomplishments included the beginning of a vibrant junior choir, an active Sunday School consisting of five classes, an Usher Board, BTU Training classes, and a faithful Missionary Circle. On September 16, 1945, a Category 4 hurricane made landfall in south Florida with maximum sustained winds of 135 mph, and gusts of over 150 mph. For the next 2 days it moved up the Eastern Seaboard of the United States causing damage in it’s wake. It became known as the “1945 Southeast Florida Hurricane”. This storm destroyed the original wooden structure of the church. However, the church was rebuilt in 1951 in the form of a small block building. After Rev. Ford, our next dynamic leader was Rev. A. W. Watkins, who served as pastor from 1959 till 1990. One of his great achievements was the leadership in the construction of our present beautiful brick church, in 1964. Shortly after Rev. Watkins’ resignation in 1991, Rev. Lamar Raven was appointed pastor. He served until 1992. From September 1992 till his death in 2013, Rev. Daniel P. Hall has served as our pastor. Rev. Hall’s vision has served both the church family and the community-at-large. He began the outreach to the families in Tuskegee’s public housing communities. He and the First Lady, along with the church Deacons and their wives met with the community leaders and conducted programs and Bible study, right in the community. Deacon Charles Harris picked up children, in the community, for Sunday School and the Tuskegee Housing Authority Community Choir was organized in Daniel Missionary Baptist sanctuary. Under Rev. Hall’s leadership a new Fellowship Hall was built and dedicated in 1998. This facility has been used to prepare and serve food in the community, along with meeting space for Youth Sunday School and other activities. Additionally, central air and heat were installed in the church, a ramp for the handicapped was constructed and a new roof was put on the church. Rev. Hall was committed to the spiritual growth of the church. This was demonstrated by our weekly Wednesday evening Bible Study. Deacon Winzer Hunter made sure the doors were open and the members came each week. Deacon Noel Thompson conducted the Bible Study for the children and coordinated the youth activities. Rev. Hall always spoke about studying the Word to show yourself approved by God. His Bible teaching spoke right into the community and into the home, and into the heart of the listener. Through his ministry, the church continued to reach out to the community in many ways. Rev. Hall was a kind and compassionate servant of the Lord. He took the time to let each one know that he or she is special to Christ. Undoubtedly, the growth of Daniel Missionary Baptist Church, during the beginning of the new Millenium would not have been possible without this dedicated and committed leader. In 2013, a new era of spiritual growth, outreach and glorification of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has begun with the new ministry of Reverend Benjamin Torbert. His dedication to the Word of God and Jesus Christ's ministry promises even greater heights and depths in God's blessing to our church family and the community at large. For over 75 years, God has been good to Daniel Missionary Baptist Church. He has blessed the church immensely. Through God’s guidance, this small red brick church by the side of the road on lower Gautier Street, continues to be a beacon of light and hope in this community. |