Our Church History

Our Church History

St. Elizabeth CPCA was organized in 1910. The original building was constructed by Buck Austin and Ben Wright. Reverend Josh Fogg served as the first pastor. At that time, the membership was small and consisted of one elder and one deacon; the elder was J. Moore and the deacon was Ben Wright.

Reverend Josh Fogg served eighteen years as pastor, followed by: Revered Pleas Parris, Reverend George Whitman, Reverend Hosea Garrett, Reverend Surrey Mitchell, Reverend George Moore, Sr., Reverend John T. Holden, Reverend Gregory Woods, and Reverend Columbus Waddle, Jr. The membership experienced growth during the tenure of each pastor who served St. Elizabeth. The original structure was torn down and another church was built to accommodate the continuous increase in membership.  

Mrs. Charlotte Miller and Mrs. Ollie Mae Moore are ladies who attended St. Elizabeth during the early years. They have indicated that St. Elizabeth was a vibrant church that played a major role in the molding and educating of the local youth. They stated that many persons who were a part of St. Elizabeth came as a result of the Presbyterian Church being relocated from property that is now Redstone Arsenal. When the Church was forced to move, many members went to Union Hill CP in Huntsville and many came to St. Elizabeth in Madison.

Mrs. Missouri Torrence, one of the church's earliest members and Catechism teacher, remembered St. Elizabeth for what was then known as Union Sunday School, where each fifth Sunday, all churches in the area came together at one church to have Sunday School. She fondly remembered the church's first organist, Reverend Clarence Moore, who was blind, but was an excellent musician and teacher. He, along with Kansas Hammonds, spent much of their time with the youth.
  
It seems that giving was a natural part of the Hammonds family. Another member of St. Elizabeth, Elder Shafter Hammonds, a cobbler by trade and part time farmer, is fondly remembered for the money that he donated from the small farm that was located on the property. 

In 1984, the church was remodeled to provide more space. The structure still stands on its original spot located in the heart of Madison, Alabama. This location has enabled St. Elizabeth to be designated as the location for call meetings of the Huntsville Presbytery.

Through the years, St. Elizabeth has enjoyed the dedicated service of many officers and mothers (some of which are now deceased). These outstanding leaders include: Elders Tom Toney, William Ervin, Sr. (Clerk), Shafter Hammonds (Treasurer), Aaron Robinson (Clerk), Aaron Hyter, Joe Coleman (Clerk), Wyatt Hyter, Walter Rainey, Bill Rice, Clarence Moore, Book Leslie, Melchester Barrow, Roosevelt Rice, and Thomas Toney; Mothers: Mary E. Hyter, Mary E. Robinson, Laura Jackson, Huley Parker, Bessie Austin, Parthenia Jones, Willie Mae Jones, Moddie Toney, Essie Johnson, R. B. Irvin, Narella Ayers, Lillie Jones, Candice Hammonds, Louise Powers, Celia Wright, Lou Austin, Monie Allen, Odell Gideon, Lizzy Leslie, Mary Lou Jones, Lena Mitchell, Etoy Coleman, Estella Moore, Lucille Toney, Josephine Jefferson, Laura Sanford, Dorothy Elliott, and Virginia Polk. 

Over the years, St. Elizabeth has had several choirs: Choir #1 organized by Mother Moddie Toney and Elder William Ervin, Sr.; Choir #2 organized by Sister Dillie Toney, and Choir #3 organized by Reverend Robert Rice. The choirs are now combined as the Sanctuary Choir. Currently, the pianist of the Sanctuary Choir is Reverend Paula Rooks, who along with Mr. James Adams directs the choir. Sister Songia Lawrence organized the Youth Choir which later was directed by Sister Lisa Fletcher.  St. Elizabeth also boasts of a Male Chorus which was originally organized by Reverend John Rice for a Men’s Day observance. The directress is Sister Lisa Fletcher. The pianist is Sister Marianetta Holley and Brother Jaqoris Gill serves as the percussionist for all three choirs.

The Missionary Society has been in existence for many years. Sister Berta Scruggs served as President for 35 years. Other presidents include: Mother Moddie Toney, Sisters Hassie Whitman, Bessie Austin, Willie Bell Turner, Dillie Toney, Songia Lawrence, and Katherine Ricks.

Upon the death of Reverend Mitchell, Reverend George Moore, Sr. became Pastor. The church continued to grow and was again enlarged to accommodate the increase. The church has remained in its present state since 1984. The 1984 renovations were done by dedicated members of the church. Persons who gave long, hard hours to this project included: Elders Franklin Fletcher, James Toney, Nolen Jones, Sr., Roosevelt Rice, Aaron Hyter, William Ervin, Jr.; Deacons Roosevelt Scruggs, Robert Rice, James Moore; and Brothers Binford Toney, Larry Toney, and Sam Gideon.

Through the years, women have played important roles in the growth and development of St. Elizabeth. Funding for the kitchen and fellowship hall was provided by the Missionary Society. Three Circles grew out of the Missionary Society. The Circles were named for past pioneers of the church: The Austin Circle, The McDonald Circle, and The Mitchell Circle. The Circles were meaningful to the church and community for they served as teaching and learning tools, social gatherings, promoted worship and prayer, and provided good food and fun. As in the days of old, the ladies, and often the men, gathered in different homes to hold Circle meetings.

Several ministers have been called from the St. Elizabeth congregation. Among those called are: Reverends Milton Jones, Roosevelt Toney, L. C. Rainey, David Lee Robinson, James Parker, Terry Ragland, Roosevelt Langford, James Townsend, Mary Robinson, James Toney, Ezell Robinson, Donnell Robinson, Leo Robinson, Stella Moore, Versey Jones, Robert Rice, Joe Davis, Mattie Davidson, William Robinson, William Ervin, Jr., Sue Della Harris, James Childress, Robert Jefferson, and Ministers Martha Gideon, Cheryl Cartwright, Buffy McCoy, Lendora Parker, Abraham Moore, Melody Toney Horton, Donald Watkins, and Rosemarlyn Gibson.
 
Upon the retirement of Reverend George Moore, Revered David Lee Robinson served as supply Pastor, along with Reverend Versey Jones and Reverend William Ervin, Jr. St. Elizabeth was further blessed to have Reverend John T. Holden serve as Pastor for five years (1995-2000). Under his leadership, St. Elizabeth started the 'Good News' newsletter and the church made history in electing its first female elder, Elder Betty Batts, and its first female deacon, Deacon Alma Jean Bradley. Elder Betty Fletcher served as the first editor of the Newsletter. When Pastor Holden resigned in October 2000, Reverend Versey Jones, who served as an Associate Minister during Pastor Holden's tenure, became the Interim Pastor and did an outstanding job promoting Christian Education and keeping the Church family united during the period of transition.  

St. Elizabeth elected Revered Gregory Woods as Pastor in November 2001 and he served as Pastor for five years. Under Reverend Woods’ leadership, St. Elizabeth organized Children’s Church, early morning worship, and developed a relationship with other churches in the community, specifically Grace Presbyterian. He also promoted the development of a Handbook for Members of St. Elizabeth CPCA.

On July 19, 2009, St. Elizabeth installed Reverend Columbus Waddle, Jr. as Pastor. In 2019, St. Elizabeth constructed a new Sanctuary.  Elder Franklin Fletcher served as Building Construction Committee chairman. The Dedication was held on July 21, 2019. The Church Family is very excited about what is happening as Pastor Waddle provides leadership in effecting various programs and ministries. Thus far, he has promoted the development of the Outreach Ministry, initiated Wednesday Night Prayer Service, new organizations for youth to include the Kids Club, Female Teen Council, and Male Teen Council.

The oldest living members are Mother Emma Glover, Sister Annie Mae Hafley, and Mother Mary Moore. The member with the longest membership was Sister Mattie Moore, who died September 20, 2019.           

St. Elizabeth operates a Food Pantry and has joined efforts with Grace Presbyterian Church (USA) Madison, AL to offer better service to the community. Additionally, St. Elizabeth provides service to the community and surrounding area by being a church that offers its facility as a meeting place for religious, civic, and community agencies. The church takes pride in the contributions made to the Denominational Center in the form of decorating the entrance foyer of the "Elevator Room" in memory of Mrs. Willie Mae Jones, who served as a Mother at St. Elizabeth for many years.
  
Annual activities and celebrations that are a source of pride for the church family include: Pastor's Anniversary, Black History Observance, Red & White Tea, Church Anniversary, Seasonal Tea, Vacation Bible School, Annual Revival, Youth Revival, Harvest, Hallelujah Night, Homecoming Celebration, Senior Day, and the Family Christmas Banquet.

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