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A Legacy of Faith and Community: First Missionary Baptist Church of Decatur

During Black History Month, the City of Decatur honors First Missionary Baptist Church for its lasting role in shaping the history, culture, and community of our City.

First Missionary Baptist Church was founded in 1866 in the home of Jane Young, where 21 formerly enslaved individuals gathered under the leadership of Rev. Alfred Peters. Early services were held in a rented store building as members worked to establish a place of worship and fellowship during a time of change in Decatur and across Alabama. 

The church was founded during a period when African American congregations across the City were establishing places of faith, support, and community following the Civil War. Alongside other early African American churches in Decatur, including King’s Memorial United Methodist Church, First Missionary Baptist Church helped shape a foundation of faith and service that continues to influence the City today.

In 1873, under the leadership of Rev. Crawford Hooks, the congregation purchased its first sanctuary. As membership grew, plans began for a larger church. In 1921, the current structure was designed and constructed by noted architect Wallace A. Rayfield. The $1,250 construction cost was raised by a working-class congregation whose shared effort reflected deep faith and care for one another.

During the 1930s, the church served as a meeting place for defense attorneys representing the Scottsboro Boys, connecting First Missionary Baptist Church to an important chapter in Alabama’s civil rights history. In the decades that followed, the church remained a steady presence in the community. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, it provided strength and guidance to many in Decatur and the surrounding area.

The church continued to grow through the years, expanding ministries, improving facilities, and strengthening its role as a gathering place for worship, education, and service. In 1990, the Alabama Historical Commission added First Missionary Baptist Church to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, recognizing its historical and cultural importance to both Decatur and the state.

More recently, First Missionary Baptist Church was added to the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium, a statewide network of historic Civil Rights sites working together to preserve these places, strengthen their long-term sustainability, and ensure the stories rooted in these communities remain accessible and supported. This recognition affirms the church’s continued importance in telling the story of faith, resilience, and community leadership in Decatur.

Today, under the leadership of Rev. Daylan Woodall, First Missionary Baptist Church continues its mission of faith, service, and community connection. Generations of members have helped build a legacy grounded in caring for neighbors and serving others.

As Decatur observes Black History Month, the City honors First Missionary Baptist Church and the individuals whose faith, leadership, and service helped shape the community we know today. Their story reflects the spirit of Decatur and reminds us that when we support one another, We Are Better Together.