Little Flock

OUR JOURNEY

Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church was organized in the late 1800s under the leadership of founder, Elder Lemon Townsend. Throughout its rich legacy and history, the church has overcome many years of challenges and sacrifices. During its infancy, worship services were held in the backyard of Mr. George Rogers' small home which is often referred to as a smokehouse. According to church documents, Elder Townsend and his wife, Sister Alice Townsend, purchased a plot of land in 1887 from Octavia Lawler for $25.00 and an additional plot of land in the amount of $85.00 sixteen years later, in 1903.

The land purchases were on the north and east sides of the Southern Railroad as well as the west side by Maysville Road and Brownsboro Road. The church continued to grow with the assistance of Brothers George Rogers, Caleb Daniels, Sr. and Melvin Townsend. Elder Townsend's commitment and dedication to doing God's work was always evident. He was also instrumental as a founding participant/member in the 1907 National Primitive Baptist Convention. Additionally, he served as Moderator of the Flint River and Running Water Primitive Baptist Association from 1919-1923.

On February 7, 1912, the church purchased land on the north side of the Southern Railroad from Elder Lemon Townsend and wife Sister Alice Townsend for the sum of $15.00. Trustees of the Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church at this time were Brother George Rogers, Brother Charlie Kelly, Brother Lee Kirksey, and Brother Will Ross; Sister Otea Steger was secretary, Sister Mandy Ford was treasurer. Deacons ordained under Elder Townsend were Deacon Sam Ragland and Deacon Mose Matthews. Under Elder Townsend’s pastorship, Sister Alice Townsend and Sister Clara Matthews were placed on the Mother Board. Elder Townsend was called from labor to rest in 1924. One month later on July 17, 1924, Elder Charlie Kelly was elected pastor. Sister Susie Ewing was elected secretary, sister Mandy Ford remained as treasurer. Deacons ordained under Elder Kelly were Deacon Walter Hammond and Deacon Matt Hughes. Elder Kelly was called from labor to rest in 1936. Elder Ed Petty was elected pastor June 30, 1936. Sister Jimmie Ragland was elected as secretary and Sister Susie Ewing was elected treasurer. Deacons ordained under Elder Petty were Deacon Sam Nance, Deacon Walter Newby and Deacon Bee Thomas. The following sisters were placed on the Mother Board: Mother Mollie Stone, Mother Susie Ewing, Mother Lizzie Moore and Mother Laura Newby. Mother Bessie Burress came to us from Liberty Primitive Baptist Church. The Woman Auxiliary was organized under Elder Petty’s leadership. He served as pastor until March, 1956. The church was without a pastor for five months. Elder W. M. Mastin and Elder Solon Whitman looked after the church. The members decided to start working toward building a new church. Elder Whitman gave the first $2.00 to the building fund.

Elder Frank T. Blackwell was elected pastor September 8, 1956. Sister Gladys Bradford was elected secretary, Sister Selina Randle Assistant Secretary. On March 25, 1957, the church purchased one acre of land from Deacon John Burress and Mother Bessie Burress for the sum of $150.00. Deacons ordained under Elder Blackwell’s pastorship were: Deacon Ben Kelly, Jr., Deacon Jimmy Stone, Deacon R.H. Ford, Sr., Deacon Eddie Williams, Jr., Deacon Jim Pete Williams, and Deacon Willie Gurley. Deacon Binford W. Robinson and Mother Mary Elizabeth Robinson came to us after St. Elizabeth P.B. Church in Larkinsville, Alabama burned down. During the leadership of Pastor Blackwell, members of the church and friends of the community built the church. On May 10, 1958 we moved into the new sanctuary located at the bottom of the hill from the church’s present location. Mothers that were crowned for the Mother Board were: Mother Georgia Stone, Mother Willie Rogers, Mother Lela Kelly, Mother Pinky Ford, Mother Annie Randle, Mother Alice Nance and Mother Esther Kelly. Mother Liza Townsend came to us from Cincinnati, Ohio. Elder Blackwell organized Choirs No. I and II,Usher Board, Youth Department, Youth Choir and Male Chorus. Sister Gladys Bradford was secretary, Deacon Jimmy Stone Treasurer, Sister Selina Randle Building Fund secretary, Sister Gladys Ewing Building Fund Treasurer. After the death of Sister Ewing, Sister Eliza Stone was elected Building Fund treasurer. Elder Blackwell resigned in January 1972. After many days and nights of praying and searching for a pastor, Elder Charlie Humphrey, Jr. was elected the second Saturday in May 1972 and remained as pastor with us until May 2013. Under Pastor Humphrey’s leadership Choir#3, the Matron Auxiliary, the Laymen Department, Sunday School Choir, and the board of Trustees were organized. Mothers crowned for the Mother Board under Pastor Humphrey were Mother Harriett Williams, Mother Marie Baker, Mother Marcella Tyler and Mother Eddie Mae Kelly. Mother Wanda Nance, Mother Dorothy Nance, Mother Alma Baker, Mother Burlean Fearn, Mother Carleen Williams. Mother Annie B. Dean came to us from Victory M.B. Church, Mother Melvin Burress came from Antioch P.B. Church, and Mother Velma Humphrey came to us from Meridianville Bottom P. B. Church. Deacons ordained under Pastor Humphrey were Deacon Eddie B. Ragland, Deacon R.H. Ford, Jr., Deacon Larry Wayne Dean, Deacon Lonnie Cawthorn, Deacon Charlie Green, Deacon Geoffrey Jolly, Deacon Gregory Haywood and Deacon Mark Williams.

The Lord gave us the same vision that was bestowed upon Elder Lemon Townsend when he founded this Church. Our vision for our new church was achieved when we came together and believed that all things are possible through Christ that strengthens us and we stepped out on our faith and were able to move into our new Church building the 2nd Sunday in February 2005. To continue having our dreams and visions come true we must follow one of Elder Humphrey’s favorite bible Scriptures: “TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART; AND LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS.” Proverbs 3:5-6. Elder Martez Waddle was elected in Conference Wednesday night before the Second Sunday in May 2013. He preached his first sermon as Pastor elect the first Sunday in June 2013. Elder Waddle was installed as the Pastor, first Sunday in July 2013 with Elder O. Montgomery presiding. He served as pastor from 2013-2015. Mothers crowned for the Mother Board under Pastor Waddle were Mother Janet Dean, Mother Felicia D. Haywood, Mother Helen Townsend and Mother Deborah Williams. In July 2016 Elder Danny R. Baker served as Interim Pastor. He served in that capacity until December 2017. He resigned, Wednesday before the second Sunday in Church Conference. During Elder Baker interim period Minister Eddie Ragland Jr. was ordained as an Elder in 2017 in the 101th session of the Consolidated Flint River and Running Water Primitive Baptist Association.

In August of 2018, Elder Brandon Nance was selected as the 7th pastor of the Little Flock P.B. Church. On the 4th Sunday in August (August 26, 2018), he baptized Sister Crystal Townsend, Brother Steven Townsend and Brother Darren Townsend followed by his first sermon as pastor at 11:30 a.m. scheduled service. He took his text from Mark Chapter 1 verses 8-13. He subject was “The Ugly Side of Beauty.” Deacons ordained under Pastor Nance in 2019 are Deacon Orlando Brown and Deacon Reggie Ragland. The church has become active members with the Greater Huntsville Interdenominational fellowship, and the NAACP of Madison County. Some of Elder Nance’s other achievements including improving the worship experience, reinstatement of the Church Trustee board, modifications to the sanctuary, reorganizing the youth and young adult ministry . He organized the Deaconess Board and appointed Sister Phyllis Brown, Sister Glenda Tyler, Sister Karen Brazelton and Sister Danisha Lampley. He has established over six new ministry opportunities to the church. Over the many years Little Flock has had many ups and downs. We have seen many of our old soldiers called home and many new soldiers join God’s army, and during it all God has continued to bless us over and over as we continue to lean and depend on His unchanging hand. He has allowed us to grow spiritually and financially. Our present officers are: Deacon Larry Dean – Chairman of Deacon Board; Deacon Lonnie Cawthorn– CoChairman; Mother Burlean Fearn – Chairperson, Mother’s Board; Mother Janet Dean– Co-Chairperson; Deacon Geoffrey Jolly– Sunday School Superintendent and Church Treasurer; Sister Phyllis Brown– Secretary; Sister Felicia Haywood – Assistant Secretary, Mother Wanda Nance – Financial Secretary; Banking committee: Deacon Geoffrey Jolly, Deacon Greg Haywood and Sister Betty Austin