“To Build up the Saints to Bring in the Sheep to Bear fruit for the Savior”. This is the inspiring slogan of the Greater Saint Matthew Baptist Church. The church’s story began in 1945. A small group of six Christians led by the spirit of God met in the home of Bro. George Holmes. They agreed to organize a church and that church became the Greater St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church.
Rev. James Price was the first pastor. Under his leadership the church began to grow. Members saw the need for a dedicated worship space. They agreed to erect a church building at the church’s present location.
Rev. James Price resigned. Rev. Warren Richardson was then called as pastor. Rev. Richardson rebuilt the church. After a year of service he moved on to minister elsewhere.
The church called Rev. L.D. Harris to succeed Rev. Richardson. Under Rev. Harris’ leadership the church continued to grow. After a short while Rev. Harris also moved on. The church was destroyed by fire. Rev. A.D. Dickerson volunteered his service for a short time.
With the aid of the Southwest Central District Association the new church was rebuilt. Rev. W.M. Sykes and Rev. F.A. Allen supervised the rebuilding.
The members called Rev. George Singleton who remained two years. The Rev. H.W. Howard from Mississippi pastored one year. Rev. George Singleton then succeeded him for almost two years.
On October 18 1959 Rev. Wilbur Johnson was called to succeed Rev. George Singleton. Throughout his ministry he proved to be a God-sent preacher. He was also a Christian gentleman and a consecrated leader. Under Rev. Johnson the church was remodeled and enlarged. A Fellowship Hall was added. The membership grew rapidly from a small group to more than 200 members. After six years Rev. Johnson accepted the pastorage of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church of Houston Texas.
The church prayed for another leader. On July 27 1965 Rev. J. Carlton Allen was called as pastor. He accepted the call on August 8 1965. Under his leadership the church received a new inspiration. The mortgage on the church was burned. An organ was purchased. Four lots adjoining the church were purchased. After a year and six months Rev. Allen accepted the pastorage of New Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in San Antonio Texas.
On April 23 1967 Rev. T.H. Giles was called as pastor. During his time he proved to be a good faithful Christian minister. New members were added. The church grew both spiritually and financially.
On April 24 1983 Rev. T.H. Giles resigned due to failing health. John C. Turner recommended that Rev. E.H. Dobbins be called as pastor of the church in 1984.
Pastor Dobbins was a God-fearing man who believed in possibilities. During Rev. Dobbins’ tenure the church continued to grow. Many new members united under his leadership. Pastor Dobbins and faithful members accomplished many goals. A P.A. system choir robes and a copier were purchased. A church van was also purchased and a garage was built for it. Blinds and furniture for the pastor’s study were donated.
Pastor Dobbins organized a mid-week service. This included feeding the hungry. He also organized a Brotherhood Ministry that met early Sunday morning and included breakfast. Rev. Nat Davis was a faithful assistant. Rev. Thaddeus Brown was also in the ministry.
Rev. Dobbins served faithfully for seven years until his death on May 11 1990.
Upon Rev. Dobbins passing the church called Rev. William L. Randall Jr. in July 1990. He preached his first sermon entitled “Together we Stand Divided we Fall” the first Sunday in August 1990. Pastor Randall promised the deacons that Greater St. Matthews would grow spiritually financially and physically under his leadership.
Since August 1990 many ministries have been inspired. God has called many sons into the ministry. A new church building was erected in 1995. The mortgage was paid off in November 2002. In January 2003 Pastor Randall launched the King Solomon Phase II campaign. In July 2005 approximately 2 acres of land surrounding the church was purchased. In 2007 plans were made to break ground to begin erecting new buildings. In November 2008 Greater St. Matthews members entered a new house of Worship given by God.
Pastor Randall believes that strong families make strong churches. He has always had a strong focus on the family. The Greater Saint Matthew Baptist Church continues to serve its community. It strives to impact society with the truth of the Kingdom of God. Its mission is to make Disciples for Christ that bear fruit from the Kingdom of God. God has blessed this church for many years. It looks forward to serving Him from generation to generation.