About us

Kimes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church originated as a makeshift community gathering in Mr. John Love's old house in the White Level Community in 1918, where Deacon O.C. White's garage stood. The initial services held were prayer meetings. These meetings moved from home to home in the neighborhood. Brother Pettiford invited Minister Luther (Bud) Bradshaw to come and speak. At that time, Minister Bradshaw worked and lived in Baltimore, Maryland.

In 1920, the members of Kimes Chapel purchased the land where the church stands today from Mr. Henry Kimes. The members of Lee's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church donated some lumber from old Lee's Chapel Church to Kimes Chapel. Neighbors and friends purchased logs and lumber, donated their time, and prayed a lot to construct the first building for Kimes Chapel. Deacon Alex Bradshaw and Pastor Hayes Thompson were the carpenters.

The first revival service was held in September 1923. Revival meetings were held under a tent in what is known as Rock Well Site of the White Level Community. Mr. Charlie Pettiford borrowed the first tent from a dear Preacher friend who was a firm supporter.

Our first Pastor of this newly created fellowship was Rev. Luther (Bud) Byrd Bradshaw who served as pastor for 44 years (1918-1962).

The first members of Kimes Chapel were Sisters Annie Pearl Browning and Mollie Richmond. The first Church Moderator was Minister John Springfield. Mr. Carl Hughes and Mr. Alex Tinnin served diligently as Church Organizers. We were blessed with one Charter Member Sister Annie Eliza Holt (deceased) who served as Missionary, Choir Member and Mother of the Church for all Pastors from Pastor Bradshaw to Pastor Alston.

Neighboring Deacons who gave support to Kimes were Deacon Daniel Rudd of Warren's Chapel and Deacon Elijah Poole of Union Grove. Other Deacons who served initially were Deacons Alex Bradshaw, John Sanders Bradshaw, Silas Pettiford, Brady Royster, and Willie Snipes·. 

Sister Victoria Bradshaw, wife of Pastor Bud Bradshaw was the first Mother of the Church. Brother John McMillian served as the first Sunday School Superintendent. Brother Bud Reed succeeded him. Brother Washington Miles was the first Church Custodian. Sister Doris Rogers(deceased) served Kimes Chapel from 1972 to 2012, as "The Announcement Lady" retiring after being a blessing to our church for 40 years.

The second and current structure was completed in July 1923. In 1968, the church was bricked. In 1974, indoor bathrooms and the Fellowship Hall were added.

The following Pastors have served Kimes Chapel over the past 106 years: Pastor Luther Bradshaw, Pastor Harvey Gwynn, Pastor Spencer Woods, Pastor A.A. Crum, Pastor Earl D. Reams, and Pastor Franklin O. Hanes.

On September 13, 1997, God called Jesse Tyrone Alston as Pastor. Since then, the Lord has truly blessed the works of our hands at Kimes Chapel. Under Pastor Alston's leadership we have; Started A Youth Ministry - Risen Son, Summer Camp - Camp Risen Son, Brother to Brother and Sister to Sister, an Alms Sunday 3rd Sundays for the needy, we have given out thousands of dollars in scholarships, added two new restrooms to the front of the Church, added an indoor baptismal pool, extended the Choir Stand, added a new Pastor's Study, put on a new roof, added wall to wall carpeting in sanctuary, added new tile in fellowship hall, purchased a new carport, a van, a 27 passenger bus, given a 40 passenger bus, purchased 17 acres of land, 3 houses, cleared off 5 acres and started a new Grave Site (Kimes Chapel Memorial Park).

Also, under the leadership of Pastor Alston 5 Ministers were licensed: Stanley Farrington, Barrett Liles, Hilda Wilson, Erique Watlington and Devarra Purefoy; 7 Deacons: McCoy Evans, Calvin Hester, Devarra Purefoy, Daron Satterfield, Thomas Smith, Calvin Watson, Kimani Satterfield. We installed several new Trustees including our first ever women Trustees: Kimani Satterfield, Clyde Alston, Howard Hester Jr.(deceased), Ricky Kelly (deceased), Charles Hobbs (deceased), Nicole Alston, Sonya Watson, Teresa McPherson, Steve Thompson, Michael Yellock, Ronnie Hobbs, Calvin Scott, and Doris (Wendy) Woods.

The following has served as or are currently serving as Church Mothers: Victoria Bradshaw (deceased), Annie Eliza Holt (deceased), Mary Elizabeth Corbett (deceased), Pauline Brooks and Catherine Hobbs and all with the exception of one, (Mother Bradshaw), served with Pastor Alston.

We are not finished yet. There are many things that God has put in the spirit of our leader for us to do. We continue to seek God for a greater manifestation of His presence; we are yet seeing the Lord enlarge our borders for the increase that He has preordained in this last and evil day.

Kimes Chapel continues to build today, building soldiers and laborers, young and old who are dedicated to witnessing and telling others of the faithfulness of God in their lives. The success here at Kimes Chapel is an example of what you can do when you put GOD FIRST.

Our Pastor and First Family