OUR HISTORY
The South Elyton Baptist Church was organized in November 1914, under the leadership of Rev. B. J. Smith. Those in the organization were: Mr. & Mrs. Ed Perine, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Lawson, Mrs. Willie Gardner, Mrs. Amanda Sterling, Mr. Z. Tubbs, Mrs. Mary Carperton, Mrs. Fannie Wildins, Mrs. Phyliss Dudley and Mrs. Rosetta Smedley. Mrs. Ollie Ensley Bynum, Mrs. Bonna Mae Perine Samuels and Mrs. Mary Gardner Barham were among the children in the congregation.
South Elyton grew out of a split from Broad Street Baptist Church, which was located in the Elyton Community. The A.G.S. Railroad divided the communities of Elyton and Titusville. (Titusville is located south of the Elyton Community). Hence, the newly formed organization of baptized believers named their church South Elyton.
The white frame church was located on the corner of a main thoroughfare, Avenue A and First Street. Two large Magnolia trees stood elegantly and lent fragrance and shade on the Avenue A side of the building. An open well graced the yard that would later become the parsonage. Saturday afternoons would often find Mrs. Perine, Mrs. Eufaula Ensley, and Mrs Mary Blackmon hovering over a small furnace as they illuminated the air with hot fried fish or a bucket of homemade ice cream.
Being on the corner of a main thoroughfare in the heart of an ever-growing community, the need for a larger edifice became apparent. Thus, the original building was torn down and plans were developed for a new church. The basement was dug and the devoted men of the church began the work on the new edifice.
Then came the nationally known crash of 1929, The Great Depression. The economic depression was felt by all. Men were out of jobs and every family was hard pressed for survival. Therefore, the work on the church came to a standstill, like a ship that had been tossed and driven over the rough seas of life, the church family sttod fast in the faith that God would be their anchor. In the meantime, services were held in the newly built duplex house adjacent to the church parsonage.
In 1940 when the national economic plight had lessened somewhat, the work on the church resumed. With Christ as the Chief Cornerstone, the church was completed on November 16, 1947, and worship services resumed in its original location. The prayers of many righteous men and women had prevailed.
Throughout its 100+ year history, South Elyton Baptist Church has not only provided an atmosphere of spiritual growth for its members, but it has also served as a home-base for civic platforms that embrace the countless other needs of its members and those in neighboring communities. During the 1960’s South Elyton hosted meetings of the Birmingham-based civil rights organization, the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. (The church was later awarded a historical marker to commemorate the significant role it played in the Birmingham Civil Rights movement which undoubtedly, changed the nation.) The church has also played an active role in voter registration, candidate forums, and served as a gathering place to discuss political issues and numerous other matters to improve the quality of life for local citizens. South Elyton remains actively engaged in efforts to enlighten the general community about the importance and value of becoming registered voters and of being actively engaged in the political process. During its 100+ year history, South Elyton has had eleven pastors, namely, Reverends B. J. Smith, Craig, T. B. Goldsby, C. H. George, W. M. King, G. P. Garth, Williams, H. F. Rhone, N. J. Pinson, Moreland Lanier and our present pastor, Reginald Brown.