HISTORY OF FIRST TUSKEGEE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Recollection of events by Pastor Emeritus Bennie L. Smith and wife Elder Laura Smith; Church Historians Deborah Reed Haynes and Wendy Reed Williams
Released: March 2022
With approximately twelve foundational members, First Tuskegee Seventh-day Adventist Church was established in 1958 under the leadership of Pastor E.L. Humphrey who was the senior pastor of Bethany Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Montgomery, Alabama. The cornerstone of this congregation’s existence began with the influence of Evangelist E.E. Cleveland. In 1954, Elder Cleveland came to Montgomery and conducted a large evangelistic meeting. Founding members of the Tuskegee group were in attendance and having heard God’s voice, were encouraged to bring the message to others in Tuskegee. Having no building of their own, the members worshipped in each other’s homes, and at the Boy Scout Hut, which was located east of the Tuskegee Institute High School, formally Tuskegee Institute Middle School, presently the Tuskegee Police Department. While still being led by Pastor E.L. Humphrey, there were times when he could not come to preach at the Boy Scout Hut, so he would send one of his elders, Elder Bennie Smith, to stand in his place.
In 1965, due to the generosity and compassion of the minister and members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, the flock of twelve began holding services in this church while the Presbyterians worshipped on Sundays. This Christian gesture, on behalf of the Westminster Church, cannot be overemphasized. It showed that Christians could be cordial and accommodating despite differences in doctrines.
In 1975, the members secured a plot of land to build what they named First Tuskegee Seventh-day Adventist Church. God blessed his people with a church of their own. Tuskegee is grateful for their many blessings and that they heeded the command of God: “And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” First Tuskegee says, “To God be the glory, great things He has done.”
The names of all twelve foundational members are not recorded. The names remembered are:
Jacob and Virginia Reid, Mattie Thomas, and Mr. and Mrs. Reed Moss.
Since the formation of the church, the following pastors have served:
Elders E. J. Humphrey (1958- 1961), H. L. Jones (1961-1963), A. D. Shorter (1963-1966), D. J. Williams (1966-1968), Murray Joiner (1968-1972), G. I. Pierson (1972-1976), S. J. Jackson (1976- 1979), M. Hale (1979), T. M. Fountain-(Interim), J. R. Bell (1979-1984), M. A. Mounter (1984-1990), J. W. Jones (1990-1993), F. S. Hill III (1993-1995), R. Williams (1995-1996), and two served in the interim, I. Johnson, W. C. Jones, Sargent Simms (1996-2013), Michael Mickens (2013- 2017), Samuel Jeudin (2017-2020), K. Luckett -Interim, (2020-2021), and Deshon Juzang (2021-2022). Presently serving is Pastor Nathan Cook (2022 -).
In February 2022, Pastor Nathan E. Cook (Tonjia) became the pastor of First Tuskegee. At that time, First Tuskegee, Mt. Pisgah Worship Center in Troy, AL, and First Union Springs SDA in Union Springs, AL united to form a new district under the leadership of Pastor Cook. Today, Pastor Cook is dedicated to building upon the established legacy of the church by serving its congregation and community.
The First Tuskegee Seventh-day Adventist Church is a microcosm of the world church. It has been enriched with international membership, as well as students from several states and countries who have attended both Tuskegee and Auburn University. It is a little light to evangelize the city and the world - First Tuskegee Seventh-day Adventist Church, "THE CHURCH ON THE HILL."