Is it possible that this unassuming building could hold a story stretching back almost two centuries? I’m talking about Saint Peters Baptist Church. This church began with the vision of a freed slave named Dudley Brooks.
Saint Peters Baptist Church has a rich and colorful history. Dudley Brooks, once enslaved, earned his freedom through an act of bravery. He saved his master’s wife. After gaining freedom, Brooks moved to Scranton, now Pascagoula. He worked as a ship caulker and saved money. His goal was to purchase his wife’s freedom in Louisiana. Brooks succeeded and brought her to Scranton.
In their humble home on Market Street, Brooks began a worship group. This group became the First Free Mission Baptist Church. They appointed Rev. George Washington as their first pastor. Saint Peters Baptist Church started small.
As more people joined, the home became too small. The congregation moved outdoors to the 1000 block of Market Street. It is now known as Canal Street. They gathered under a large oak tree. Each family had an assigned root as a pew. These roots were cleaned and polished. A ship’s bell hung in the tree. The bell served two purposes. It called people to worship and announced deaths in the community.
Worshipers even traveled by boat from Gautier to attend services at Saint Peters Baptist Church. New Era Baptist Church of Gautier was a mission of Saint Peters. They would spend the entire day here. They had service, dinner, and another service before returning to Gautier at night.
Despite limited funds, the congregation bought land. The plot measured 200 ft by 60 ft and cost 250 dollars. They built a simple church house with one square room and a pulpit. A larger bell replaced the ship’s bell in the oak tree. That same bell remains embedded in the oak tree on Canal Street today.
The history of Saint Peters Baptist Church has been passed down orally. Dudley Brooks and the early members couldn’t write. Saint Peter Baptist Church is believed to be over 197 years old. A deed from 1819 describes the land transfer. It refers to the First Free Mission Baptist Church. This was officially recorded in 1885.
Although the bell and tree are no longer on church property, members can still visit. They share its memory. Imagine the voices of those early worshipers. Feel their dedication. Consider the journey from slavery to freedom and faith. Saint Peters Baptist Church stands as a testament to their resilience.