"Unity and Diversity in one Body: THE CHURCH"
A Little Church By the River
At one point and time that phrase could describe Greater Peace and Goodwill AME. A little white church nestled in the woods of Crawford, AL for the last five decades. However, services first started in the home of Henry and Ethel Smith who saw a need for a church in the community.
When the couple's home became too small for the crowd of neighbors and family in the summer of 1940, Mr. Smith obtained permission from the late W. C. Brown to hold services at a vaccant one room building in Crawford, AL. Services were held every third Sunday of the month by the late Rev. E. D. Phillip. It would take two years for the congregation to raise $25.00 to begin building a santuary of their own.
The trustees used the $25.00 to purchase a barrick at Fort .Benning, which was reassembled back in Crawford, AL. By early July of 1943 two acres of land was deeded to the church(Potor Mission). Then in October of 1946 the church was renamed Peace and Goodwill AME and under the leadership of Rev William Boddie Jr.(retired elder now) they agreed to build a better santuary for worship.
With the dedication and committment of team captains who pledged to raise enough money to purchase 100 blocks of bricks, and donations from small business owners (Mr. Dudley-donated lumber for the floor/loft) construction began in 1951 for a new church building. However, despite the incompletion of the church building Rev. Boddie was moved to another church in 1953 and construction came to a stop for 17 years. It was not until 1971 under the guidance of Rev. Eddie Robinson when work began again. Windows, floors, and the steeple were installed. In 1977 Rev. Wayne Baker became the pastor and continued the progress by having worship service every Sunday and raised money for rennovations. Adding to the legacy, in March of 1980 Rev. John A. Caldwell had a well drilled on the church property. When Rev Haywood Bellamy served as pastor starting in 1988 the church added two restrooms, a kitchen and a basement to the santuary.
Greater Peace and Goodwill was among three other churches to be set on fire within a six day period on January 01, 2008. But through God's strength and support of the community the church(s) were completely rennovated. A few months later in the early summer of 2008, the congregation moved back in and under the leadership of pastor James D. Parker we continue to grow and serve the community.
When the couple's home became too small for the crowd of neighbors and family in the summer of 1940, Mr. Smith obtained permission from the late W. C. Brown to hold services at a vaccant one room building in Crawford, AL. Services were held every third Sunday of the month by the late Rev. E. D. Phillip. It would take two years for the congregation to raise $25.00 to begin building a santuary of their own.
The trustees used the $25.00 to purchase a barrick at Fort .Benning, which was reassembled back in Crawford, AL. By early July of 1943 two acres of land was deeded to the church(Potor Mission). Then in October of 1946 the church was renamed Peace and Goodwill AME and under the leadership of Rev William Boddie Jr.(retired elder now) they agreed to build a better santuary for worship.
With the dedication and committment of team captains who pledged to raise enough money to purchase 100 blocks of bricks, and donations from small business owners (Mr. Dudley-donated lumber for the floor/loft) construction began in 1951 for a new church building. However, despite the incompletion of the church building Rev. Boddie was moved to another church in 1953 and construction came to a stop for 17 years. It was not until 1971 under the guidance of Rev. Eddie Robinson when work began again. Windows, floors, and the steeple were installed. In 1977 Rev. Wayne Baker became the pastor and continued the progress by having worship service every Sunday and raised money for rennovations. Adding to the legacy, in March of 1980 Rev. John A. Caldwell had a well drilled on the church property. When Rev Haywood Bellamy served as pastor starting in 1988 the church added two restrooms, a kitchen and a basement to the santuary.
Greater Peace and Goodwill was among three other churches to be set on fire within a six day period on January 01, 2008. But through God's strength and support of the community the church(s) were completely rennovated. A few months later in the early summer of 2008, the congregation moved back in and under the leadership of pastor James D. Parker we continue to grow and serve the community.