By Ashton Gray
October not only recognizes HBCUs in Alabama but also Gadsden City, it also ushers in
the recognition of some of our historical Black churches and their services to the community.
This month, Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church (#113 years, Pastor Roderick Thomas) and Union
Baptist Church (#129 years, Pastor Ernest Benson) will celebrate their anniversaries on the
13th, while Shiloh Baptist Church (#133 years, Pastor Alando Thornton) will celebrate its
history on the 20th of this month. The three churches share a common origin traced back to The
Historical Friendship Missionary Baptist Church (#156 years in November, Pastor Earl
Dudley), also known as “The Mother Church,” from which they seceded.
Union and Mt. Pilgrim’s histories are not only connected by their shared origin but according to recorded history, one of Union’s early pastors, Rev. Stevenson Nathaniel Reid,
D.D. helped organize Mt. Pilgrim Baptist along with its first pastor, Rev. M.W. Tally, in October
of 1911. The church first met in Davis Hall on the corner of Birmingham and Sixth Street. This
account, along with many others from the listed churches, was recorded in Dr. S.N. Reid’s
published book, “History of Colored Baptists in Alabama,” which can be found in the Gadsden
Public Library. These organizations hold the history and culture of the native Black communities
in Gadsden, AL, and are led by distinguished men in our society. If you and/or your family come
from any of these organizations, return, reconnect, and help preserve your family’s rich legacy
that has built the foundation of our community today. Do not let their stories go untold.
For those interested in delving deeper into the history of the churches, you are invited
to their Homecoming Anniversary Celebrations! Information regarding their programs can be found below.
