St. Matthew Baptist Church, Docena, AL was organized in 1913, under the leadership of the late Rev. C. H. Denson, who served as the first pastor. Successive pastors were Rev. Jenkins, Rev. Martin, and Rev. Gibson. Some of the first deacons of the church were Brother Judge McCall, Brother Dudley Reed, Brother Murrel James, Brother John Carter, Brother P. C. Cohen, Brother Brown, and Brother William Tolbert.
The church’s first place of worship was located in a building called the Beanery near the Docena Mine Shaft, which was owned by the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company. The building had been used at one time for housing prisoners. Sometime later, the church moved out of the building and worship services were held in the Docena Theater. A few weeks later, the building was set aside for worship services only.
The church showed little signs of progress, but held its own. In 1943, Rev. O. V. Mosley was called as pastor. The church took on a new light and began to grow. During the early 1950’s, the church purchased the property and the building was repaired.
The pastor, officers, members, and friends planned, labored hard, prayed, and paid, and as a result, God blessed us with a new church building on Sunday, December 26, 1971. We entered our new church building for services for the first time on February 11, 1972. The Dedication service was held on Sunday, July 9, 1972. Cornerstone services were held by Lodge # 431 F & A M, Brother John S. Caldwell, Master Mason.
The church continued to grow. During the summer of 1974, additions to the building were made under the leadership of Rev. Mosley. Two years later the debt was paid in full and the church was debt free. It was suggested to cushion the pews in the church. When this job was completed, it was paid in full. The church continued to grow. In January, 1984, a new church van was purchased and paid for at the closing of the deal. In the spring of 1994, a larger dining area was annexed to the existing structure. Upon completion, it was paid in full.
Special mention must be made of the Citizen Federal Savings and Loan Association and Dr. A. G. Gaston, who assisted us in acquiring loans for construction, and the Shades Mountain Baptist Church, who donated $3,000.00 to our effort. One of our former Deacons, Brother Johnnie Lee Mitchell, was employed at Shades Mountain during this time.
Reverend Eddie J. Washington, a lifelong member of St. Matthew, was called to the ministry. Rev. Washington served as Assistant Pastor to Rev. Mosley, and after the passing of Rev. Mosley in the year 2000, he became pastor of St. Matthew, the position which he currently holds. The church has grown dramatically both physically and spiritually under the dynamic leadership of Pastor Washington. He is truly making a difference in the lives of others for the Kingdom of God. Many structural updates and improvements have been made during his tenure, with a great deal of the work being done by him personally. Improvements include the complete remodeling and refurnishing of our Sanctuary and office, the addition of a sound room with state of the art sound and recording equipment, and the changing of the garage area into a new state of the art commercial kitchen. A new church van was purchased and the church is still debt free. We are grateful that
God has placed Saint Matthew in the capable hands of Rev. Washington, because he truly does have a heart for the people.
Currently, there are about 200 members at Saint Matthew Baptist Church, where most are actively participating in attendance and fellowship; and we continue to grow. We are very proud of our church, and are constantly praying that God will keep us humble in His service, so that one day the Master will say, well done, thy good and faithful servants! You have kept the faith, you have fought a good fight, you have finished your course. Receive now your crown of righteousness.
Each day that passes is recorded in the annals of time as “History”. We pray that all our future endeavors, being reflected upon, will provide us with that same sense of accomplishments that our past has thus far afforded us. May the Lord bless and keep us is our prayer.