History of Peace Baptist District Laymen Organization

 

The Association was busy in 1951 with its newly formed Congress of Christian Education, and with its Women's Auxiliary. So it was natural that an organization for men would also be added to the Association. The ministers were busy in the Association helping to shape and change the community around them. With the Women's Department, and the Congress of Christian Education, the Association was thriving.

 

1951 was a pivotal year for the Association. In Birmingham, there were still two separate communities: one Black and one White. Black men still lagged behind whites in education, in social status and economics. Racial segregation was still the "Law of the Land" in Birmingham. The Laymen's Movement would prove to one day be a vital arm of the Association.

 

The organization of the Laymen Movement

On October 19, 1951, a group of ministers met at 32nd Street Baptist Church, Birmingham and started the Laymen Movement. The late Reverend Charles H. Parker, then Pastor of the church, as well as Recording Secretary of the Men's Department of the Association was one of the key organizers. The first officers elected to the Laymen's Movement were:

 

• President- Deacon W.M. Marshall, First Baptist Ensley (1951 -
• Vice President - Deacon W.E. Butler, Triedstone Birmingham
• Recording Secretary - Deacon John Mays, First Baptist West Ensley
• Treasurer- Deacon W.E. Blocker, 32nd Street Birmingham

 

Unfortunately, it has been noted that after its inception, the Laymen's Auxiliary failed to make a strong presence in the Association; and made very little progress in the Association, and no significant impact on the community. The turning point came in 1979, when Deacon Jimmie Lee Williams of First Baptist Church, Fairfield took the reins of leadership as president of the Laymen's Auxiliary. Under his leadership, the Laymen's Auxiliary became a very viable and tightly organized arm of the Association. Some of the changes were:

 

• Financially supportive of the Association
• Fiscally responsible for reporting to the Parent Body
• Organized meetings and reports
• New initiatives and ideas were formed

 

Upon Deacon Williams' death in March, 1989, Deacon Freddie Lee White, then a member of Twenty-Third Street Baptist Church, Ensley took over as president on October 12, 1989. Deacon Paul Cannon of Lily Grove Church, Ensley was elected as vice-president.

 

When Deacon Freddie White stepped down as president of the Laymen's Department, Deacon Edward Mallory became the new president in 2014 Deacon Mallory continued to grow the Laymen's Department. Deacon Alvin Moore is presence the laymen president.

 

PEACE BAPTIST DISTRICT LAYMEN OFFICER'S

 

Brother Alvin Moore, President

Bethel Baptist Church, Pratt City

 

Brother Clem Johnson, 1st Vice President

First Baptist Church West Ensley

 

Brother Claude Hubbard

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church

 

Brother Henry Turner, Secretary

Bethel Baptist Church, Pratt City

 

Brother Charles E. Chancellor, Treasurer

First Baptist Church Fairfield

 

Evangelism Team

Brother Henry Turner

Brother Clem Johnson

Brother Alvin Moore

Brother Harold Sims

Brother Leroy Stover

Brother Claude E. Williams

Brother Kelvin Eades

Brother Roderick Daniel

Brother Lloyd Winters

Brother Henry Jackson