Our History

Elder Randolph “Doc” Pittman, Pastor | Founder

St. Mary Church of God In Christ was founded in 1938 under the leadership of Elder and Sister Randolph “Doc” Pittman of Jefferson Davis County.  In 1939, the first church edifice was erected in what is now intimately known as “God’s Country.”  After serving for a few years, Elder Pittman and his family were inspired to relocate to another church.  Being a small church in a small country town, little was it known at the time that St. Mary would be the training ground for many of the most prolific leaders of the Mississippi Southern First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

1943-1946
Elder S.M. McDuffey, Pastor

(not pictured)

1946 – 1954
Elder W.M. Weathers, Pastor

(not pictured)

Elder M.C. Coleman, Pastor | 1954-1975

In 1954, the late Elder M.C. Coleman became the pastor. In the year 1966 of his tenure as pastor, the construction of a new sanctuary began. The project was completed in 1967.

1975 – 1983

Elder Oscar Mikell,  Pastor

After the homegoing of Elder Coleman in 1975, Elder Oscar Mikell became pastor in March 1975. During his tenure, the dining area and central air were added to the church. Elder Mikell served faithfully until April 1983.

1983 – 1992

Elder Earnest Johnson,  Pastor

Succeeding Elder Mikell in May 1983 was Elder Earnest Johnson who also served as Superintendent of the No. 10 District of Mississippi Southern First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. Superintendent Johnson yielded his faithful service until July 1992 when he was reassigned to become Superintendent of the No. 7 District.

1992 – 2009

Elder Abraham Jones, Sr., Pastor

In August 1992, the Lord bestowed upon St. Mary, Elder Abraham Jones, Sr. who also assumed the role of Superintendent of the No. 10 District. During his tenure, reconstruction took place on the current edifice. In 1994, the body of the church was remodeled, a baptism pool was installed, and the prophecy of the late Elder M.C. Coleman was fulfilled with the addition of another wing to give the church a “T” shape. Under the leadership of Elder Jones, the church acquired additional property, which serves as the St. Mary Outreach Ministries’ Center. It was the vision of Elder Jones, with the support of the St. Mary church family, to build a new church edifice at the site of the Outreach Center to foster better relationships and more adequately address the needs of the community-at-large.

2010 – Present

Elder Hosea Brown, Pastor

In December 2009 due to increased duties within the Jurisdiction, Elder Abraham Jones, Sr. resigned and recommended that Min. Hosea Brown be named as pastor. In January 2010, Bishop Hollis Musgrove officially appointed Min. Hosea Brown as pastor. During the first year of his tenure, the Outreach Center was completely remodeled to better serve the community at large. During the 2011 Jurisdictional Convocation, Min. Brown was ordained an Elder. Out of respect for the wonderful works of the preceding pastor and wife, Supt. Abraham and Mother Earlene Jones, Sr., Elder Brown, and the Board of Directors agreed to rename the Outreach Center the “A & E Jones, Sr. Outreach Center.” Recognizing the needs of the senior church members, Elder Brown and the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of a church bus to help facilitate adequate and safe transportation to various church activities. Having a passion for the community, Elder Brown administers a free annual community health fair. Work continues toward the vision of a new church edifice.