By TSD Newsroom
A quick read of the cornerstone of St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church in South Memphis reveals why there has been a buzz of special activity going on there all week.
“Organized in July of 1936,” the cornerstone declares.
On Sunday (July 3), St. Peter, which is located at 1410 Pillow St., and its pastor, the Rev. James Greene, will cap a weeklong observation of the church’s 80th anniversary.
At 103, Walter B. Brooks is the only organizing member of the church still alive. The iconic deacon, whose name is noted on the
cornerstone as the chairman of the deacons, will be saluted during a 3 p.m. service. The special guest church will be Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cordova, with its pastor, the Rev. Basil G. Brooks, delivering the keynote.
Throughout the week, Charlene Thornton, the anniversary program chairperson, and others have been busy stocking the St. Peter Museum. Visitors can sit in one of the old rocking chairs that were fixtures of the church in its early days. Back in the day, the melodic sound of the church’s youth choir was captured on a vinyl record and a 45-rpm copy in museum serves as proof.
Old church typewriters, hand-written sermons and photos of early pastors and members are among the memorabilia.
Determined to extend the 80th anniversary observation to the surrounding community, church members have been canvassing the neighborhood and spreading the word. Part of their message is about the Community Festival scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Thornton said the free festival would include entertainment, food baskets, games for children and adults, and visits by various community groups and agencies, including the Memphis Police Department.
