Located at 12317 Conecuh County Hwy. 43, Brooklyn. 31.27581, -86.75207
Following information provided by Jimmy B. Jackson
St. Palestine Missionary Baptist Church, In The Bend Church History. St. Palestine MB Church originate out of 1st. Brooklyn Missionary Baptist church.This event occurred in the early 1900’s around the turn of the century, according to oral history. In 1909 the state of Alabama bought land and started The Gregg Industrial (Brooklyn) Negro School. This school will play a pivotal role in St. Palestine history. On November 29, 1916 St. Palestine MB Church representatives, E. Hill and Anthony Jasper under the trusteeship of Charles Robinson purchased about two acres of land from husband and wife F. L. and Mable Tatum of Walton county Florida. On those two acres a the Bend community came together and build St. Palestine Church. That church was torn down in the early 1960’s. However, the new Church was built was built on them same two acres in 2018. 1 On February 19, 1951 the state of Alabama sold to and granted a deed to St. Palestine MB Church for two acres on which sat the Gregg Industrial Negro School. St. Palestine purchase the school and land for a sum of $350.00. Deacon Dennis Littles and Deacon George Lewis signed the deeds. The sale was approved by the Governor of Alabama Gordon Persons. Pastors 1950’s Rev. Nared From the late 1950’s to the early 1980’s Rev T. R. Sellers. Rev. Sellers passed away in the early 80’s. Rev. Foster Holley was selected as Pastor by St. Palestine. Rev. Holley served for a short period of time. Rev. Holley was succeeded by: Rev. Sander Johnson of Atmore. Rev. Charles Johnson uncle. Rev. Sander Johnson introduce St. Palestine to Mrs. Maddie Russell a true woman of God. Rev. Johnson served until his death in( 1988). After a prayerful search God sent St. Palestine; Rev. Whalen Oliver of Evergreen, Al. St. Palestine was the first church to call Rev. Oliver to pastor. Rev. Oliver served from 1988 till 1993. After another prayerful search God sent St. Palestine our current Pastor; Rev. Charles Johnson of Atmore, Al. 2019 is Rev. Charles Johnson 26 year of serves to St. Palestine. And we thank God for Pastor Johnson godly wife Sis. Eunice Johnson who is a blessing to St. Palestine. June 2022 Pastor Charles Johnson resign to Pastor his home church Mt. Olive MB in Atmore. August 2022 St. Palestine MB Church called Rev. Jimmie Samuel to Pastor St. Palestine. He is still the Pastor. Deacons: 1950’s Deacon Dennis Littles, Deacon George Lewis and Deacon Jeff Jackson. For over 45 years Deacon Jeff Jackson served as the only Deacon at St. Palestine 1950’s through 1999. Then June 20, 1999; Deacon Herbert Littles, Deacon Cato Blackmon and Deacon Jimmy B. Jackson were ordained as Deacon. Then on April 17, 20, 2016 Deacon John K. Littles was ordained as a Deacon. Church Clerk and Secretaries: Dea. Jeff Jackson: Clerk Secretaries: Sis. Barbara Scott Bro. Johnny Jackson Sis. Gloria Littles Treasures: Dea. Jeff Jackson, Dea. Herbert Littles and Dea. Jimmy B. Jackson Notable Events; 1916: land was purchased for the old church. 1951: school and land purchased from state of Alabama. Early 1960’s: 1916 building torn down. Early 1970’s: Church was remodeled posts and pot belly heater taken out, carpet added and paneling added. Also, change pews and lunchroom added on back of church. And bathroom added all under Rev. T. R. Sellers. Microphones added under Rev. Sander Johnson. New microphones added under Rev. Whalen Oliver. 2005: Remodeled roof, new pews, blue carpet and piano all after hurricane Ivan. 2007: New lunchroom and new bathrooms added. 2018: New church was built all under Rev. Charles Johnson. Notable Warriors Who served well: Dea. George Lewis Dea. Dennis Littles Sis. Vora Littles Bro. Hardy Littles Bro. Willie Littles Sis. Mary L. Littles Sis. Roberta Jones Sis. Ethel Belle Wright Sis. Anna Shepard Rev. Shepard Sis. Carrie Dubose Sis. Maddie Russell Rev. Sander Johnson Rev. T. R. Sellers Dea. Jeff Jackson Sis. Victoria Jackson Bro. Bill Littles Sis. Hattie Nared( piano player)