Williams Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

Williams Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, the church where everybody is somebody and Jesus Christ is Lord. Our church has humble beginnings which dates back some 92 plus years ago. The church began as Alpha Monumental in a little building next to the railroad track on the west side of North Street (now Merritt Street).

Rev. J. W. Ford was the pastor and the congregation consisted of members of the Doe, Epps, Roux, Battles, and Watkins families. Services were held on the first and third Sundays. When Rev. Ford left to pastor in Orlando, the congregation called Rev. Blonts as pastor.

Recognizing the need for a larger sanctuary, the congregation started building on the corner of Williams and Marker Streets. When the building was completed members marched to the site, singing along the way, to begin service in the new building. The congregation called their new church Williams Chapel. The late Rev. B.T. Williams was the pastor. Under Pastor Williams’ leadership, the church became a member of the New Central Association and continued to grow in his 26 years of leadership.
After Williams' departure, the church was without a pastor for approximately six months with the Missionary being in charge.

Rev. E.E. Williams was called and remained for a little over three years. The congregation then called Rev. A.D. Raines and it was under his leadership that construction on the present building was started. Service was still held as the building was constructed around the old one. When the building process was at a point when service could not be held on site, service was held at St. John. Rev. Raines left before the new building was completed and Rev. E.R. Rucker was called to pastor. Rucker remained for several years.

After Rucker left, Rev. Matthew Wilson was called. Under Wilson’s leadership the church building was completed and dedicated as the church motto became “The Church Were Everybody is Somebody.” Wilson’s departure brought a split in the congregation as some members left with him and started Peaceful Zion.

The church was without a pastor for several months before calling Rev. D. L. Washington Sr. as shepherd. Under Washington’s Leadership the church became incorporated and the phrase “and Jesus Christ is Lord!” was added to the church motto. The church continues to grow spiritually in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. The church body has had many challenges in the century of its existence. Through it all, God has sustained and kept us in the midst of them all.