The CSMBC Story

First giving reverence to God who is truly the head of all of our lives, on behalf of Pastor Roy E. Powell and the members of the Cedar Street Missionary Baptist Church, Incorporated we proudly present to you the History of the Cedar Street Missionary Baptist Church:

Cedar Street Baptist Church was organized on Sunday, July 19, 1953 in a little house owned by Deacon Worth Little.  There were originally five members present and Rev. Elijah White served as the pastor.  During the initial service there nomination and vote that the name of the church would be Cedar Street Baptist Church and worship services would be held on the second and forth Sunday’s.  The Lord eventually blessed the members with a large building owned by Bro. Charlie Bell.  Members from other churches came to help-out as needed because the membership was still very small, but through it all, the Lord continued to bless this body of believers.  The evangelistic spirit began to work in our community. 

Later, the Lord blessed us to acquire property on John Kidd Road for $300.00.  In 1962, the building was complete enough for the members to move into.  By this time our membership had grown.  We were blessed with three usher boards, two choirs and a mission department.  On October 13, 1979 the Lord called Rev.  Elijah home to rest.

After Pastor White’s death, Rev. Thomas Vail served as interim pastor until 1980 and Rev. N. L. Powe served as assistant pastor. On March 1, 1980 Rev. Robert McMillan was elected as the second pastor the Cedar Street Baptist Church.  Under the leadership of Pastor McMillan we were blessed with a fellowship hall.  Rev. Mc Millan served until November of 1983.

On May 5, 1984, the Rev. Willie Arnold became the third Pastor of Cedar Street Baptist Church.  Under the leadership of Pastor Arnold we were blessed the organization of the Matrons Department, Minister’s Wives Board and a Baptismal Pool.  Rev.  Thomas Vail served as assistant pastor and after the unfortunate death of Rev. Vail, Rev. Charlie Howze served as assistant pastor until October 2, 1993.

On October 2, 1993, a meeting was called to re-elect officers.  Prior to this, all officers succeeded themselves.  Deacon Harry Towner served as chairman of the deacon board until December 1993. At that time Deacon Demetrius Ward was elected as chairman of the of the deacons board, Deacon Ward served faithfully until new officers were nominated and elected on March 3, 1996.

On October 2, 1993 Cedar Street Baptist Church found herself again without a shepherd.  On October 17, 1993 a pulpit committee was formed and a search was made by divine guidance, and on January 22, 1994, Brother Roy E. Powell was called as Pastor of Cedar Street Baptist Church.  Under Pastor Powell’s leadership Cedar Street has undergone many changes to include regular prayer meetings, bible study, the organization of a sick committee, the organization of a Male Chorus, renovation of the from entrance (equipped with handicap accessibility) and many others.  The Lord has continued to elevate us under Pastor Powell’s leadership.  The church birthed two ministers, Bro. Kenneth Sampson on March 23, 1997 and 38 days later Dea. Harry Towner delivered his initial sermon on June 1, 1997. 

Cedar Street Baptist Church has been greatly blessed with over a hundred and fifty souls added to the congregation from January 1994 to August 1997.  Bro. Herbert Wilkerson was birthed in that number as a licensed minister.  On March 3, 1996, new officers were elected, each serving two-year terms.  On August 3, 1997, 6:00 p.m. evening worship service was instituted. During these evening services the associate ministers were given an opportunity to exercise their gifts. 

The Lord is still elevating us higher and higher; God blessed us to purchase three lots on Cedar Street.   On June 7, 1998, NBC was instituted. Under Pastor Powell’s leadership the church birthed another minister, Richard A. Benson, who delivered his initial message on July 12, 1998.  Still adding to our membership 35 souls have come to Christ.  On March 16, 2000, Bro. Gregory L. Sanders delivered his initial message answering a divine calling from the Lord.

On July 12, 2000, God made it possible for this body to secure property located on Cedar Street suitable for erecting a new edifice in this community proudly known as “The Blackjack.”

The Lord is still in the blessing business, on April 18, 2001, Bro. Gerald Foreman was birthed into the ministry and   delivered his initial message and on September 1, 2001 Min Richard Benson was officially appointed Youth Minister   

As a result of much prayer and supplication, Cedar Street was donated a set of construction and design blueprints for the new edifice by Mr. Richard Moore, a prominent local contractor that specialized in building churches.  

Recognizing the needs of the community, Cedar Street ventured into the housing market. Properties were purchased from the Ferrell family, along with three additional houses and a duplex on Cedar Street.

On February 2, 2004 we organized a feeding ministry that provides a well-balanced nutritional meal for the sick and shut-ins, in and around our community.

From 2004 to August 2005, many souls have been added to our congregation.  Some came by letter and Christian experience and many for restoration, within that number at number Bro. Ronald A. Suggs was birthed as a licensed minister.

On March 12, 2006, after completing construction of the new edifice, we proudly exclaimed Hallelujah; Thank God that Cedar Street is now on Cedar Street.

The Lord is continuing to bless our church family.  On December 16, 2007, Cedar Street ordained, Bro. Willie C. Davis, Bro. Robert E. Lambert, II and Bro. Orin D. Lewis as deacons of the Cedar Street Missionary Baptist Church.

The Lord is still elevating us to higher heights.  From August 2009 to August 2010, many souls joined our congregation, Min. Rickie Flott was birthed in that number as a licensed minister and Pastor Johnny Kyser of the Living Stone Spiritual House became an Associate Minister. 

On July 25, 2010, Cedar Street Missionary Baptist Church dedicated its fellowship hall and named it the in honor of Mr. Richard M. Moore. It is now known as the Richard M. Moore Fellowship Hall.

On August 15, 2010, Cedar Street Missionary Baptist Church’s Minister Gregory L. Sanders was named as pastor of the Pleasant Chapel Baptist Church Silas, Alabama and on October 9, 2016, Minister Richard Benson was named as Pastor of the New Pleasant View Baptist Church.

At Cedar Street our motto is “Where we believe in Miracles.”   We will always praise and thank God for our past, continue trusting God for our future and forever give God all praise for what he is doing for our church family today.

May God continue to bless our efforts is our eternal prayer and this is our history!