Glovers Primitive Baptist Church

In 1813, seven years prior to the admission of Alabama into statehood, there was a body of baptized, true believers worshipping one true God both in the confines of the White Hall Methodist Church and outside at “hush harbors.” Those hush harbor services would be the seeds of what would later become Glovers P.B. Church.

During slavery, blacks often worshipped with their slaveholders at Methodist or Baptist churches in the area. After service, many would continue in a more relaxed, fiery style of service at what were known as “hush harbors.” They were so called because many slaveholders forbid them, so it was necessary to keep it on the “hush.” It wasn’t until 1860 (hence the founding year) that the “hush harbors” became a memory of the past and members were free to worship within the former White Hall Methodist Church, which was turned over to the blacks in the community.

Mr. Tab Glover, owner of the land and for whom the community and church are named, gave the huge log cabin church and four acres of land to the blacks in the community. Reverend Thomas Abrams would assume the position as pastor and would serve faithfully for 38 years, from 1860-1898. Under Pastor Abrams tenure and with the assistance of a white minister from Georgia, named Reverend Elijah Bell, a hard shell primitive Baptist church building would be erected and named Glovers Primitive Baptist Church. Glovers would become the first progressive Primitive Baptist Church in West Alabama.

Preceding this time, blacks had lived with the overriding conditions of slavery until the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865. During that time, Reverend Abrahams was persecuted for preaching false doctrine. The story of how Reverend Abrahams was led back and forth from Dayton to McKinley has been passed on by elders from generation to generation. Being unable to read and write made it most difficult for Reverend Abrahams to verify his doctrine but with God’s help and the use of corn shucks, Reverend Abrahams was able to do so and was later ordained. When Reverend Abrahams rejoined his congregation, they stood beside him and clapped hands. This is the origin of “glad hand clapping”, celebrated every first Sunday in June.

The church’s development continued through the post-Civil War period and on into the turn of the century. The blasting from the railroad construction in this area led to church construction once again. By this time, Mr. Glover had passed and left no deeds to the land. His heirs demanded that the church buy the land or give it up. The members purchased the four acres for a total of $200. Reverend Esley Jingles guided the congregation as pastor during this period and served faithfully from 1898-1904.

Following the tenure of Reverend Jingles, Reverend Albert Craig was called to pastor and would serve from 1904 until his death in 1908.

In 1909, Reverend C.C. Kennedy was elected pastor and the present structure in which we now sit was constructed. Although constructed during a time of prosperity in the Roaring Twenties Era, the construction project would leave members in tremendous debt as they dealt with the onset of the Great Depression. It was during this grave period that Reverend Kennedy passed, but not before serving faithfully from 1909-1936.

In 1936, Reverend Richard Hudson became pastor and led the membership out of debt by paying off the mortgage. Many faithful members mortgaged their personal possessions for the sake of saving the church. Reverend Hudson served until his death in 1958.

Reverend W. H. Miller of Selma was elected to serve in 1958. During his tenure the church continued many more improvements to its physical and spiritual structures. The dominance of Glovers Church was felt throughout the surrounding areas. Reverend Miller served faithfully until his death in 1980.

In 1981, Reverend Ocie Acoff of Selma became the 7th pastor of the church. Under his leadership, the physical structure continued to improve, as well as the spiritual but the membership declined due to the migration of young people and the passing of the elderly. Reverend Acoff would serve faithfully until his resignation in 1990. Reverend Acoff would make church history by being the first pastor to leave for any reason other than death.

In 1991, Reverend James Clarke, Jr. was elected to serve as the eighth pastor. His grandparents Henry and Dora Kirksey were bedrock members of the church and his father, Reverend James Clarke, Sr. and mother Laura Kirksey Clarke were also members. Reverend Clarke expressed a profound love for his mother church, a deep concern for the membership and a desire to recall those who had become stranded and confused on the road to eternity. Under his 1st tenure, many improvements were made to the physical and spiritual structure of the church. Reverend Clarke served faithfully until his resignation in 2001.

Following Reverend Clarke and in 2002, Reverend Richard Davis of Mobile, Alabama was elected as pastor. Under his leadership, the church continued to prosper and additions to the membership were made. Reverend Davis served faithfully until his resignation in 2009.

It was following this time that church history was made once again. Reverend James Clarke, Jr. was elected to serve a second term as pastor in 2009. He seems to have continued where he left off during his first tenure. Numerous church improvements have been made and he continues to focus on the growth of the “total man” man’s spirit, soul and body. Recently, Reverend Wilbert Hudson was ordained a minister and Deacons Lonnie Norwood and Robert Conner were added to the list of prestigious past deacons.

As the journey of this great church continues, please share in the prayers that God will continue to supply it with the leadership that has brought it eight decades of the 19th century, nine decades of the 20th century and two decades of the 21st century.

Former Pastors:
Reverend Thomas Abrams
Reverend Esley Jingles
Reverend Albert Craig
Reverend C.C. Kennedy
Reverend Richard A. Hudson
Reverend W. H. Miller
Reverend Ocie Acoff
Reverend Richard Davis
Current: Reverend James Clarke, Jr.


Former Deacons:
Tom Miller, Sr.
Charles Eldridge
Nelson Miller, Sr.
Issac Marshall
Tom Steele
Bill Perry
Jim Rembert
Rubbin McCan
Matt Hammond
Jesse Jackson
Willie Timms