Greater
St. Luke was founded in 1924 under the leadership of Rev. Thomas
Jefferson Martin, a sanctified preacher. He was instrumental
in getting a group of famous Sunday baseball playing brothers
known around the to lay down their balls and bats and pick up
hymn books and Bibles which was difficult since a good game
was the only source of livelihood.
The brothers, L.T., Walter, Harry, and E. S. Hobson, came from
Hardeman County and were members of Mays Hill Baptist Church
before moving to Madison County to be sharecroppers and raise
their families.
The only churches nearby were Methodist yet Rev. Martin was
determined to get the brothers into church. He challenged them
to "follow me as I follow God." The Hobson Brothers,
their wives and children (along with T. T. Bingham), got together
at a brush harbor to have church. Word spread that there would
not be any more baseball team. This caused a stir among the
baseball fans. Many came out of curiosity to see if it was true.
Some simply observed while others united in worship.
From the brush harbor, the first public meeting was held in
an old church previously owned by whites. Outdoor meetings were
also held, but they finally moved from that church into a small
one-room frame building on the spot where the church presently
stands. This property was purchased from two women, Della Payne
Brown and Hannah Henley. The church was located on an old dirt
road and not very many people lived around the church. Many
had to get to church in wagons and cars.
The current location holds a historical significance. Besides
being a church the building also housed a school also existed
at the same location. It was one of the first "colored"
schools to be incorporated into the Madison County School System.
In 1952, conflict within the congregation caused a separation.
A portion of the congregation left and started a church that
took the name "New St. Luke". The remaining saints
at the old location called themselves "Greater St. Luke",
a name proposed by Sis. Ida Pearl Harris, the church secretary.
Charles Emory Taylor had moved his family from Haywood County
and had joined Greater St. Luke. He joined the Hobson Brothers
as they fought to keep the doors of Greater
St. Luke open.
Greater St. Luke has undergone many changes since its establishment.
No longer an old wooden frame building, it was rebuilt with
cinder blocks. From the cinder blocks a brick building was constructed.
From the old brick building came the current structure. The
church has been blessed with growth, which necessitated the
need for recent renovations to the sanctuary, an education wing,
offices, a new pastor's office, children's care center, and
health center.
Greater St. Luke's vision for 2002-2003 is the construction
and completion of our multi-purpose family life facility, additional
offices, classrooms, and daycare center. The church is continuing
to acquire real estate tracts near the main facility to allow
for future growth potential.
The church recently celebrated its 75th Anniversary. And by
the grace of God, it will see its second 75 years.
