About

Westminster Presbyterian Church was founded based on the work of Maria Fearing, an American teacher and missionary renowned for her work in Congo.  In 1942, Rev. Charles Tyler established the “Maria Fearing Mission” in her memory and honor  to address the spiritual needs of black people on the southside of  Birmingham, Alabama.

 

On November 26, 1944, the Central Alabama Presbytery recognized the Mission as an official church, appointing Rev. John Wesley Rice, Sr. as the first pastor. The newly named Westminster Presbyterian Church experienced significant growth, aided by the Committee on Church Extension, leading to the purchase of three lots and the construction of a church at 20 Sixth Avenue, S.W., dedicated on August 4, 1949.

 

Rev. Rice, Sr. resigned in 1952 and was succeeded by his son, Rev. John Wesley Rice, Jr., who served from 1953 to 1966. The Rice family, including his wife Angelena and daughter Condoleezza, resided in a small apartment attached to the church. Under the leadership of Rev Rice, Jr., the church sanctuary  was expanded, an educational wing was added, and a church manse was purchased.

 

In 1967, Rev. Clyde Carter began his service, eventually becoming the third pastor in 1973. His tenure saw the reorganization of the daycare program, installation of central air conditioning, and other enhancements. Rev. Carter resigned in 1975 to become Chaplain at the Veterans Administration in Birmingham.

Rev. Arvin L. Sexton, the fourth pastor, was installed in 1976. During his leadership, the church saw some membership growth, and he contributed to the Greater Birmingham Ministries. After his resignation in 1979, Rev. Charles H. Williams served as Interim Pastor.

 

In 1982, Rev. William T. Jones began his role as Interim Supply and was installed as the fifth pastor in 1986. His tenure focused on church revitalization through the African American Church Consultant Program, initiating various programs in evangelism, stewardship, and church ministry development. Rev. Jones retired on January 31, 2005.

 

Rev. Dr. Clyde L. Carter returned as Interim Supply Pastor in 2005, serving three Sundays a month, while Elder Henry Dobbins led worship on other Sundays. Rev. Carter initiated the Fifth Sunday Joint Worship Services, bringing together Westminster and other local Presbyterian churches. He retired on December 31, 2008, and was named Pastor Emeritus.

 

On February 19, 2009, Lukata Mjumbe was commissioned as Lay Pastor, leading aggressive community outreach and introducing sermon recordings. He resigned in 2011 to pursue a Master of Divinity at Princeton University.

 

Rev. Joseph R. Reid took over as Interim Supply Pastor in 2011, increasing membership, conducting nursing home outreach, and starting a weekly radio program and Bible studies. He resigned in 2016 to pastor a church in Barrow, Alaska.

 

Rev. Dr. Clyde Carter returned as Interim Supply Pastor in 2016, assisted by Rev. Dr. Margo Coker. On November 8, 2018, Rev. Jerome Bell was appointed Interim Supply Pastor. He introduced a Thursday night Bible study and led the church in celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary where the funds raised were used to establish the Rev. John W. Rice, Jr.- Mrs. Angelena Ray Rice and Rev. Dr. Clyde L. Carter scholarships.