"A Brief Sketch of Our Church History"
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverb 29:18.
In 1934 under the auspice of God, with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of Jesus Christ, Elder William A. Holman, along with his supportive wife, Mary, planted the seed that we currently call “The St. Andrew Primitive Baptist Church.” Elder Holman, being a wise man sought the council of his Pastor and mentor, Elder Eli Moore of the Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church and Moderator of the Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Association.
Elder Moore conducted the first conference for St. Andrew and several of his Deacons and Mothers became the first members of the new body. Among them were Deacon John L. Rice, Shelly Rice, Willie Copper, and Mother Mary Holman. Deacon Amos Robinson was also a member. Elder Holman and his congregation met and had services in a white frame house, sitting on Scott Weatherly’s place, on Swancott Rd.
The Church’s first secretary was Sister Patsy Harper. Sister Susie Ervin also served as church secretary for numerous years. The first Sunday School Superintendent was Brother Waddy Ayers and Brother Fox Burns. Sister Geneva Kirby Harris, Sister Susie Ervin, and Sister Kelly Betts were among the first Sunday School Teachers.
In 1937, The St. Andrew Primitive Baptist Church, known as "Holman’s Church" moved to its current location. The church maintained that structure until 1972. Elder Holman saw the need to continue growth and laid out plans to build a new structure. His infinite wisdom allowed Elder Holman to see the beginning of his vision take shape. He was able to see the foundation completed and the walls beginning, but God decided that his ministry here on earth was complete and graciously called him home on March 2, 1972.
Elder Holman left a legacy that will never be forgotten. Elder Holman was Pastor of St. Andrew for 42 years, his first church. He was also Pastor of Liberty Primitive Baptist Church for 38 years and Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for 40 years.
Deacons ordained under him included: Jim Waddle, Benny Waddle, Kirk Polk, Ed Caudle, Manuel Jones, Fox Burns, Andrew Lacy, Columbus Waddle, Watt Rice, Lamar Caudle, Walker Holman, Wordlow Withers, Fleming Erskine, John Rice, Scott Weathers, Alfred Waddle, and Shelly Rice. Mothers under Elder Holman included: Carrie Jones, Mary Holman, Octavia Cosby, Hazel Jackson, Bulah Gordon, Mattie Waddle, Cleo Robinson, Mandy Ricks, Cora Scruggs, Ella Lacy, Lela Sales, and Maggie Holman. Ministers under Elder Holman included: Elders Benny Waddle, Amos Robinson, and Daniel Brandon.
Upon the death of Elder Holman, God graciously placed another warrior for Christ at the helm of the St. Andrew P.B. Church Family, Elder George E. Franklin, Sr. Elder Franklin immediately went to work; leading the St. Andrew Family, and became their 2nd pastor in 1972.
Under his pastorate the structure started by Elder Holman was completed and many structural changes were made. Being prayerful, as in all things, the St. Andrew Family, lead by Pastor Franklin, made provisions to erect a new tabernacle of worship. Pastor Franklin saw the completion of this vision in 2000 when the body began worship in the current facility.
Under Pastor Franklin’s leadership we had a Sanctuary Choir, Youth and Male Chorus, Brotherhood and Women Auxiliary, Youth and Senior Usher Boards, and a variety of teaching ministries, including Bible Study and Sunday School for all ages. Elder Franklin started our association with the CARES organization and encouraged participation and support for an organization that he truly loved.
Elder Franklin also left a legacy that will never be forgotten. He served as Pastor of St. Andrew for 31 faithful years.
Deacons ordained under Elder Franklin include: James Smith, Dwight Lewis, Curtis Holman, Saul Butler, Lesley Fletcher, James Lewis, Ivary Pickett, and Michael Jefferson. Ministers under Elder Franklin include: Elders Joe Battle, Calvin Moore, Harrison Burruss, Fred Holman, Archie Morris, Al Holman, and Charlie Holley. Elders Woodrow Kirby and Harrison Burruss were ordained as deacons and as ministers under Pastor Franklin.
Mothers seated under Elder Franklin include: Annie Kirby, Lucinda Kirby, Pauline Fletcher, Rachel Horton, Iradell Rice, Calvenia Carter, Patricia Smith, Hazel Patton, Flora Lewis, Willie M. Harris, Emma Caudle, Ella Binford, Rosie Pickett, Lorine Lewis, Eddie M. Moore, Mamie Woods, Lela Sales, and Amanda Franklin.
Pastor Franklin saw many ministries start and grow and ministered to people all over the community and state. After seeing all these things completed, on September 17, 2003, God decided this humble servant's race was finished and quietly called him home.
The Church went through a period of mourning. The Church had suffered another great loss and went without a Pastor until August 29, 2004 when God sent another servant, Elder Benjamin D. Burt.
Elder Burt supported CARES and renewed support/participation with the Tri-State and National Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Conventions. Under his leadership, the church van was purchased and the Van Ministry was started. The first SAPBC Web page was initiated. Deacons seated under Elder Burt include: Deacon Mike Andrews. Elder Burt relinquished leadership in 2006.
Elder Alan Holman graciously accepted the helm as Interim Pastor of St. Andrew P.B. Church in March of 2007. Elder Holman continue the ministries already in place and provide the needed leadership, guidance, and support to the church and its ministries. Elder Holman submitted himself to God's will and made himself available to all the needs of the church. Elder Holman was released as Interim Pastor in September 2007.
After much prayer and training from St. Andrew's own, Elder Harrison Burruss, Pastor of St. Elizabeth Primitive Baptist Church, Elkton, TN, we were ready to move forward. On March 2, 2008, God graciously sent us our 4th and current Pastor, Elder Michael Hartwell.
Under Elder Hartwell's leadership, the church has continued to grow spiritually and physically. There is much growth in the Sunday School and Bible Class. The Trustees have been reactivated and have taken on more responsibility. The Deacons have more dedicated time to see after the Pastor and Members. Each Deacon along with the Mothers have a designated Membership Ward group where they see after their assigned members.
Deacons seated under Elder Hartwell include: Riley Kirby, Sandy Moore and Greg Rice. Elder Hartwell has a vision for organization and is setting a great foundation to move St. Andrew forward. New or revived ministries are the Sunday Nursery/Children's Church, Women's Ministry, Praise Team, Trustees, Membership Wards, Monthly Bible Memory Verses, and the Van Ministry. A new Young Adult (20-34) and Teen (13-19) Sunday School Class, and Mothers and Deacons Training Class has been established. Elder Hartwell also reorganized the Mothers into Mothers and Deaconesses. The Deaconesses seated under Elder Hartwell include: Lorine Lewis, Ann Jefferson, Rometha Holman, Lena Andrews, and Calvina Carter.
St. Andrew P.B. Church 2010 Officers and Leaders are:
Associate Ministers: Brothers: Al Holman, Calvin Moore, Ron Green, Buford Moore and Brandon Nance
Deacons: Brothers: James Lewis, chair; Dwight Lewis, co-chair; Michael Jefferson, Mike Andrews, Riley Kirby, Sandy Moore, and Greg Rice
Mothers: Sisters: Amanda Franklin, chair; Ella Binford, co-chair; Hazel Patton, Willie Mae Harris, Sister Rachel Horton, Flora Lewis, Eddie Mae Moore, Ira dell Rice, and Emma Caudle
Deaconesses: Sisters: Calvenia Carter, chair; Rometha Holman, co-chair; Ann Jefferson, Lena Andrews, Lorine Lewis, and Valerie Moore
Trustees: Sister Jurlene Rogers, chair; Brother Terry Moore, co-chair; Sister Ann Jefferson, Brother Milton Moore, and Sister Theresa Nelson,
Church Treasurer: Brother Jack Lewis Finance Secretary: Sis Theresa Nelson
Church Clerk: Sister Lena Andrews Assistant Clerk: Sis Pamela Thomas
Clerical Assistants: Sisters: Ashlee Horton, Dorothy Holloway, and Cathy Horton
Sunday School Musician: Bro Milton Moore Church Musician: Bro. John Thomas
Church Custodian: Brother Dwight Lewis
Ushers’ Ministry: Sisters: Lorna Rice, president; Minnie Coleman, vice-president
Sunday School: Brothers: Greg Rice, superintendent; Dwight Lewis, Assistant
Christian Education; Sister Lorine Lewis, Director
Brotherhood Ministry: Brothers: Ray Smith, president; Terry Moore, vice-president
Young Men of Faith Advisors: Brothers: Greg Rice, Sandy Moore and Lorenzo Rice
Women’s Ministry: Sisters: Ann Jefferson, president; Eva Kirby, vice-president
Sanctuary Choir: Sisters: Melissa Pitts, president; Barbara Everson, vice-president
Male Chorus: Brothers: Riley Kirby, president; Sandy Moore, vice-president
Youth Choir Advisors: Sisters: Vera Harris, Ashley Miller, and Sherry Toney
Praise Team Advisors: Sisters: Vera Harris, Ashley Miller, and Sherry Toney
Youth Ministry Advisors and Youth Advisory Council:
Sister Valerie Moore, chair; Sisters Sherry Toney, Vera Harris, Ashley Miller, Lorna Rice, Rometha Holman, Pam Horton, Tanya Binford, Alfred Moore, Raquel Moore, Jennifer Anderson, Serena Rogers, and Sharon Smith
2010 STANDING COMMITTEES
Finance Committee: Theresa Nelson, Jurlene Rogers, Milton Moore, and Terry Moore
Scholarship Committee: Mike Andrew, chair; Kimberly Hobbs, and Stephanie Lewis
Kitchen Committee: Rosie Russell, chair; Barbara Everson, co-chair; Betty Caudle, Charity Lewis, Corine Tisdale, Sheneka Smith, Briana Caudle, Albernice Fullenwider, Kenneth Hobbs, Frank Horton, Jr., Bobby Moore, and Michael Moore
Nursery Committee: Carolyn Binford, chair; Charonda Murray, co-chair: Briana Caudle, co-chair; Barbara Everson, Betty Caudle, Sheneka Smith, Shakesha Major, Serena Rogers, Jennifer Anderson and Cynthia Williams
Music Committee: Melissa Pitts, chair; Barbara Everson, co-chair; Sherry Toney, Ashley Everson, John Thomas, Vera Harris, Riley Kirby, Sandy Moore, Terry Moore, Charlene Irving, and Destiny Pitts
Medical Services Committee: Dorothy Jackson, chair; Amanda Franklin, co- chair; Yolanda Harris, Theresa Nelson, Calvin Moore, and Tanya Binford
Facilities Committee: Theresa Nelson, Jurlene Rogers, Dwight Lewis, and Milton Moore
Bulletin Team Committee: Dorothy Holloway, Sharon Langford, Yolanda Harris, Tanya Binford, and Carolyn Binford
Church Message Board and Church Sign: Ashlee Horton and Dorothy Holloway
Church Sound System: Terry Moore, chair; Milton Moore, co-chair; Ray Smith, and John Thomas
Web Masters: Ashlee Horton, Kimberly Hobbs, and Briana Caudle
Reading and Tutoring Ministry: Nancy Rice, chair; Raquel Moore, Alfred Moore, Lindsey Rice, and Valerie Moore
As we, with much praise and thanks unto God, look back over our past and with much anticipation prepare for our future, we realize, to quote Pastor Franklin "God is a Good God" and to quote Pastor Hartwell, "It's Possible", with God all things are possible". There is no limit to what God can do. We are standing firm on the belief that God is our leader and our foundation, and we have to continue to be “A Church with a Vision, Being Lead by God.”