BOBBEE BEE: THE (107 YEAR) HISTORY AT SAINT PETER UNITED HOLY CHURCH

MAGNOLIA MEMORIES-(107 YEARS) HISTORY AT SAINT PETER UNITED HOLY CHURCH-Pictured Top: Elder S.D. Pigford; Center-left BISHOP M.L.McCall, Elder Adam Scott, Rev. Jackson and wife; Elder L.R. Revels, and Elder Woodrow and Evangeline Grady.

During the early part of the nineteenth century several ladies in the small town of Magnolia, NC felt the need of coming together to bond themselves in a closer r...elationship with God. This pressing spiritual awakening led them to gather in the home of Sister Looney Dixon for prayer meetings. Among the ladies attending those prayer meetings were Sister Emmaline Newkirk Shephard, Sister Lizzie Williams Pigford, Sister Mary Hussey, Sister Maggie Bowden, Sister Mary Beatty, and Sister Hattie Carr.

God poured out his blessings during those meetings wherein the attendance grew and it became necessary for them to move to a vacated building in the community. This building was called “Looney’s Chapel” on the behalf of Sister Looney Dixon who had opened up her house for the first prayer meeting. As more people became saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost, it became necessary to establish a local church where they could be free to seek God and hold regular worship services. In the year 1910, these soldiers of God built and organized their first church which was named at that time Saint Peter Holy Church. The church became a great spiritual powerhouse in the community.

Among the many people who united Saint Peter were Sister Mary Moore, Sister Maggie Lee and

family, Brother Fate Hussey, Brother Pat Beatty, and Brother Pearlie Boykins. Sister Annie Bell McCorbett joined and ministered to God with music on the drums. There were also Sister Eva and Brother Henry Kornegay and Sister Gladys and Brother Cicero Bowden who joined this great spiritual chain that had begun at Sister Looney Dixon’s home.

Saint Peter was blessed and honored to have four pioneers of its beginning: Sister Rena Best, Sister Martha Graham, Sister Lizzie W. Pigford and Sister Minnie Lee Bennett, who continued the rich tradition of the church until their passing.

Former pastors of this church are Rev. Howard Waters of Faison, NC; Rev. Perry, Rev. L.R. Revels of Salem, NC; Rev. Jackson of Eden, NC; Rev. J.C. Thomas of Roxboro, NC; Rev. Poole of Henderson, NC; Rev. Adams Scott of Goldsboro, NC; Rev. S.D. Pigford of Magnolia, NC; Rev. B.B. Dunn of Kinston, NC; and Rev. W.Cox of Goldsboro, NC and Bishop Merlin McCall of Lumberton, NC. Saint Peter Holy Church was rebuilt in 1953 under the leadership of Rev. S.D. Pigford who was the pastor. Brother Henry Kornegay, Brother Cicero Bowden, Brother William Kornegay, and Brother Earnest Graham were deacons and Sister Bertha Graham served as church secretary.

Several renovations have taken place since 1953 to accommodate its continuous growth which has not stopped since the gathering of our founding fathers and mothers at the home of Sister Looney Dixon. As each new generation of soldiers unite at Saint Peter, they will be forever thankful to God for those faithful ladies that joined together in prayer meetings that have continued on for over 107 years.

Currently, St. Peter’s is under the leadership and direction of Elder Woodrow and Evangeline Grady-Black History Moment-