Our Beginnings:

In the summer of 1945, Dr. Boyd P. Milburn, superintendent of the Baptist City Mission Program for the Tri-Cities, and the Rev. W. Albert Smith, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Sheffield, conceived the idea of supplying Sunday School facilities to the thickly populated sub-division of York Terrace and the surrounding territory. The chaos of war, inconveniences such as uncertain bus schedules, rationing, and heavy work schedules kept many families from attending regular church services.

The First Baptist Church purchased two lots on Thirtieth Street and Fourteenth Avenue on which a permanent building was to be placed, if such an undertaking seemed justifiable. A tent, supplied by the Home Mission Board of the Colbert-Lauderdale Baptist Association, served as temporary quarters. The project was launched with a two-week revival beginning June 25, 1945. Rev. Albert Smith conducted the services with the help of area ministers: B. B. Isley, M. W. Glenn, Boyd P. Milburn, Dan Davis, Herbert S. Buckle, and Ruben Moody.

Attendance was small but steady. Sunday School services were held in the tent on July 8th. Mr. F. W. Pirtle acted as Sunday School superintendent and the classes were taught by Mrs. M. W. Glenn, Miss Lois Sullens, Mrs. V. L. McCoy, Mrs. J. Z. Mathis, Mrs. R. A. Thompson, Mr. F. W. Pirtle, and Mrs. Roy Collins. The thirty-two present made this an auspicious beginning.

A Vacation Bible School was held the third week of July in 1945. Curtis Nelms, a State Field Worker, was assigned by the Association for the summer. He took charge of the little mission and it's first Bible School. The children were intrigued by the tent and the classes, and came faithfully. The closing exercises at the end of the week proved that there were enough able leaders and cooperative people to continue this work.

After July, the tent had to be used elsewhere. The search for a new church home ended when Mr. R. W. Kaylor, manager of Spry's Funeral Home, offered without reservations, the use of Spry's lovely chapel. The chapel proved to be an excellent location and as attendance increased more teachers were needed. Mrs. J. B. Duffey, Mrs. Alma Brackin, Mrs. L. S. Stubbs, Mrs. W. C. Ball, Christine Skillern, Mrs. Howard Duer, Mrs. Henry Stoll, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Stoll, and M. N. Glenn were added to the staff. Mrs. Henry Stoll organized a Young People's Choir late in September. Regular Tuesday night prayer services continued. Bro. M. W. Glenn, with the aid of able ministers of the area, conducted services during these early months.

On November 14, 1945, Rev. David Cooper of Bolivar, Tennessee, delivered a sermon at the chapel. He had just graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and was to be the new Associate Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Sheffield and a regular pastor of the mission. By now, the little mission church was growing larger and larger. The Christmas Cantata "A Night in the Orient", directed by Mrs. Stoll and her daughter, Mrs. Allspaugh (later Mrs. J. B. White), was beautifully given and heartily received. Ninety-one people attended. Winter and spring months of that first year were highlighted by more special events. By Easter the chapel was almost over-flowing with a crowd of two hundred people. The necessity for more space and a permanent home was apparent. Contributions were added to the building fund. In March of 1946, a week's study course for Sunday School workers was taught. Cottage Prayer Meetings were held and a revival led by Dr. B. P. Maddox of Clovis, New Mexico added eighteen new members. Heartening news was received. First Baptist Church would match with an equal amount each dollar collected for the building fund. Prayers were being answered!

Sunday afternoon, June 8, 1947 the organization of York Terrace Baptist Church became a reality. The presbytery was composed of several ordained Baptist ministers and was moderated by Dr. Boyd P. Milburn. A short history of the mission's work and reasons for forming a church were given by Bro. Marvin Palmer. A motion was made by Rev. Albert Smith and seconded by Rev. L. E. Kelly to organize a church. The motion was carried and York Terrace Church stepped from the hearts of a few to become a place of worship for many, an established church ordained and blessed by God.

The Articles of Faith were read and unanimously adopted. The people who were to compose the church promised wholeheartedly to cooperate with other Southern Baptists through Associational, Statewide, and National work. A motion was made and carried that the new church become affiliated with the Colbert-Lauderdale Baptist Association. Bro. Marvin Palmer was called as first Pastor. People who were a part of the mission were contacted. Those wishing to do so were given an opportunity to move their membership from First Baptist Church. The name York Terrace Baptist Church was chosen and the church was organized with ninety-five charter members.

Officers were elected. The first staff of officers were: Bro. Marvin Palmer, Pastor; F. W. Pirtle, Sunday School Superintendent; Mrs. Henry Stoll, Minister of Music. The first deacons were Henry Stoll, G. D. Hampton, F. W. Pirtle, W. O. Allen, and Edwin Dean. F. W. Pirtle, W. O. Allen, and Edwin Dean were ordained by the young church on July 2, 1947 after the Wednesday night prayer service.

Soon after the church was organized, building began at the present site, 1401 30th Street. Late fall found the new church under a roof with Sunday School sections formed with curtains hung on wire across the small auditorium. In spite of the many inconveniences, York Terrace continued to grow.

1. In the spring of 1947, the First Baptist Church of Sheffield called Marvin Palmer as their Associate Pastor. His main duty was to serve as pastor of York Terrace Baptist Mission. Bro. Palmer was aggressive, young, and an able speaker. All the attributes of a good and loving minister were his. He portrayed and taught a genuine love for his fellow man, and an untiring devotion to God. He soon endeared himself to many. When York Terrace Baptist Church was organized on June 8, 1947, Marvin Palmer was called to be the first Pastor. The First Baptist Church ordained him into the ministry and Rev. Marvin Palmer served York Terrace Baptist Church until August 6, 1947, at which time he resigned to attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He left behind him the will to build and grow as God would lead.

2. Rev. Charles W. McCann became York Terrace's second pastor. When he received the call to York Terrace Baptist Church, he was leading a successful pastorate at Phil Campbell Baptist Church. His vast experience and maturity was badly needed in the months to come and his devotion and courage led the young church in her struggle with the first building program. Bro. McCann never faltered. Many Sundays through the summer he held services in a building without windows. After the cold winter weather began, he instructed his members to dress warmly and wear overshoes. Services were regular and inspiring and Bro. McCann never let his members become discouraged. Charles McCann was a master of many trades. He made many of the items of furniture the little church needed. The communion table and pulpit constructed by this patient, talented minister are still property of York Terrace Church. He was the preacher, counselor, teacher and choir director. He prayed for the sick and fully expected God to heal them. God was very real to Rev. McCann and he tried to make Him real to his church members. He was a true believer in the W.M.U. and never missed a meeting. After leaving York Terrace, he moved to Silverhill, Alabama, where he served as supply preacher and part-time evangelist. There God called him home. Those who knew him revere his memory and feel that he was a blessing for the exact moment in the life of York Terrace Baptist Church.

3. Following the resignation of Rev. McCann, York Terrace Baptist Church called Charles W. Wagner, a deacon and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church in Sheffield, to fill the vacant pastorate. He set a record for traveling the most miles in a three year period while pastoring York Terrace Church and attending Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Bro. Wagner preached his first sermon to an audience of twenty-five with only three men in attendance. The offering was $27.00. The auditorium, with tar paper on the outside, subfloor, and no finished walls, was heated by butane gas space heaters. During his first period of service, the auditorium was finished and a twenty-five foot extension was added. The Stewart Building was planned and begun. The first pews and furniture were purchased. Central heat was installed and a kitchen and bathroom were added. The basement portion under the auditorium was dug by hand along with installation of sewer lines. Dr. J. J. Owens, Professor of Old Testament at the Louisville Seminary helped in putting down the floor during the auditorium expansion. All work was done by the membership and much of it was under the direction and leadership of Mr. Robert Stewart. Rev. Wagner also led the church into its first annuity program.

4. On February 27, 1956, York Terrace Baptist Church called Rev. Henry Atkeison as Pastor. Rev. Atkeison was then pastor of the First Baptist Church of Iron City, Tennessee. After finishing his obligations at Iron City, he came to York Terrace in May 1956. Rev. Atkeison is a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He and his young wife, Bobbie Ann, along with their young son, Jimmy, soon became a welcomed part of York Terrace. York Terrace Church saw its greatest expansion under Rev. Atkeison. Membership multiplied and more space was needed. Bro. Henry, as he was known, was dedicated to youth and their needs. Youth flocked to York Terrace from all directions to attend choir and the other many programs planned under his leadership and with the help of Jessie Duffy, Jr., Youth Director, and Hershel Spivey, Choir Leader. A church secretary was employed in 1956 on a part-time basis, but soon became a permanent staff member. Associational radio was begun four times yearly. The first pastorium was purchased and the Atkeison's became its first occupants. In July, 1961, York Terrace Baptist Church floated the first of two bond issues to construct the educational building and to add a third floor. Under Bro. Henry's leadership, York Terrace began its sponsorship of Cloverdale Mission in April 1960, and continued until the mission was destroyed by fire. Rev. Henry Atkeison was young, compassionate, dedicated, and filled with vision to do the will of God in his own life and in the life of York Terrace Baptist Church. He instituted the first New Members' Orientation program to train and encourage new converts in Christ. Membership expanded and York Terrace Baptist Church grew. Rev. Atkeison was what the membership needed after the early struggle to build a house of worship. Bro. Henry will always be remembered with love and appreciation by those who worked with him.

5. Rev. Robert Gaultney, came to York Terrace Baptist Church from Cherokee Heights Baptist Church, Macon, Georgia, on February 10, 1963. Building attendance and adding members were his goals. During his eighteen months of service, the church had 60 baptisms and 59 other additions, the greatest record in the history of the church. Many physical improvements were made. The north parking lot was purchased and paved. Many of our people remember the youth camps that Bro. Gaultney led. God greatly used him in this phase of his ministry. He and his family made an impact upon York Terrace Baptist Church that will not be forgotten.

6. Rev. Billy J. Roberts came to York Terrace on March 27,1966. Members of York Terrace were eager to begin a new work for God's Kingdom and with Rev. Roberts, his wife Jimmy Nell, and their three daughters, Kay, Angie, and June. Rev. Roberts was a graduate of the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He also graduated from Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham and attended Florence State College. During Bro. Roberts' ministry, a full-time radio ministry was begun and has continued to the present time. A need was felt for a larger pastorium and the property at 1411 30th Street was purchased. The Roberts' were first to occupy this new brick pastorium. In November of 1968, the York Terrace membership voted to put Missions in first place from all undesignated offerings. Since that time, the Lord has blessed in a mighty way. The celebration of York Terrace Church's Twentieth Anniversary was held during Bro. Roberts' pastorate. On December 7, 1968, Bro. Roberts felt his work was finished at York Terrace and offered his resignation to the people. Bro. Roberts has now gone to be with the Lord.

7. D. L. Hammer, Jr. was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and is a graduate of Carson Newman College and the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He began his service at York Terrace Baptist Church on April 2, 1969. He and his wife, Mary Ruth, soon endeared themselves to York Terrace. Under his leadership, York Terrace Church experienced many significant accomplishments. There were 144 baptisms and 119 other additions to the membership during his stay. Four men were ordained for the ministry. The first Leadership Training Program was started. A training program for Deacons was begun. Total mission gifts increased 65% during Bro. Hammer's ministry. A new organ for the sanctuary was purchased and the sanctuary was fully carpeted. The parking lot was paved and the property at 2808 15th Avenue was purchased as a Youth Center. The third floor was completed and soon filled. The Youth Center was redecorated and opened. The Stewart building was completed and formally dedicated. In spite of his busy schedule, Bro. Hammer found time to daily visit the hospitals, taking time to visit each member as well as non-members. He is sorely missed by many in this ministry. Rev. Hammer was a man dedicated to his fellow man and to God. York Terrace owes much to him and his leadership. He, too has gone to be with the Lord.

8. In August of 1975, Rev. William T. Trapp became the pastor after first serving as the Youth Director for 6 months. He delayed plans to attend the seminary to accept the call to become the church's youngest pastor. His youthful spirit, enthusiasm, dedication, and vision gave the church new dreams and goals through which to glorify Christ. This spark lit a fire that caused many young couples and college students to flock to our church and become involved in the overall programs of the church. During his first 3 years, 250 members were added to the church. The last 2 years there were 141 additions for a total of 391 new members during his five-year pastorate. During the church year 1975-76 York Terrace led the Colbert-Lauderdale Association in the number of baptisms. This was the first and only time the church had done this. The influx of new members brought about an increase in the number attending Sunday School, Training Union, W.M.U organizations as well as in the other departments like music and Brotherhood. On Easter Sunday in 1977, 523 attended Sunday School, the second highest attendance in the history of the church. The highest attendance was reached during Bro. Robert Gualtney's pastorate back in the '60's. Bro. Bill Trapp, the pastor, left in the fall of 1979 to attend Southwestern Seminary so we were without a pastor until April of 1980. Dr. Trapp, after a battle with Lou Gehrig’s Diease, has now gone to be with the Lord.

9. Dr. Charles Inman became the pastor of the church in the spring of 1980. He was an excellent speaker and was gifted with much administrative ability. His goal was for the church to reach out into the area to bring the lost in and grow a strong evangelistic church. He was active in Associational work. Early in his pastorate our bonds were all paid off and the church was debt free. Two vans were purchased to be used by the church in transporting people to church as well as being used for church and youth outings and activities.

10. Dr. J. Burt Davis became the pastor in June of 1983. He had a loving spirit, a compassionate heart and was a good pastor. He had a caring nature and was so good to visit the sick, bereaved and others who had needs. Bro. Davis was well remembered for his teaching abilities. His wife Margaret was an important part of his ministry. Renovations to sanctuary were begun under Bro. Davis leadership. Bro. Davis resigned June 17th of 1987.

11. Bro. David L. Taylor became pastor on May 29, 1988. He and his family moved back home to the Shoals from Louisiana where he had pastored while attending New Orleans Seminary. Bro. David's ministry saw the church reclaim its focus on evangelism and outreach. Under his leadership the Lord was able to bring about a new spirit of growth. The church enjoyed healthy growth through out his ministry. This was especially obvious in his ability to reach young couples. This foundation of young families will be the building blocks for the future of our church. One of the tools Bro. David used to reach young men was recreational activities. This included a softball team that won the state championship in 1989. This recreational ministry required Bro. David to preach several moving sermons while on crutches. Bro. David led the church to retire the debt from the recent renovations. He was a driving force for fresh concern about missions which lead the church to participate on several evangelistic and church building program mission trips. He will long be remembered for the energy and enthusiasm he returned to our church.

12. Dr. Teman Knight became the pastor of York Terrace on January 1, 1994. Bro. Teman, his wife Darlana and their two children Jay and Alana moved here from Louisiana where he pastored Hillsdale Baptist church in Amite, Louisiana. The Knights first came into contact with York Terrace through a joint mission endeavor in the summer of 1990. Little did he or the folks from York Terrace realize that one day he would become our pastor. Bro. Teman attended New Orleans seminary where he received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Biblical studies. Dr. Knight continues to do adjunct teaching on occasion for New Orleans seminary in Birmingham. Biblical teaching was an important part of his ministry at YTBC. The growth that began under David Taylor continued under the ministry of Bro. Teman. This was especially true of the growth among our young couples. This growth was not limited to just numerical growth; we also saw a great deal of spiritual growth in the lives of our people. Experiencing God and Promise Keepers had a great impact on the lives of our men and women of the church. Attendance grew to its highest average since 1983 and the church had the largest budget of its history. As Dr. Teman continued to emphasize spiritual growth through expository preaching and biblical teaching, the church continued to look for new opportunities to minister to our community. These plans included some new facilities to better minister to the needs of our church family and community, but were never started before Dr. Teman left. Dr. Teman left York Terrace in 2001 to take a position with the Evangelism Department of the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

13. Rev. Sammy Wallace became pastor on Jan. 1, 2002. Bro. Sammy, his wife Debbie and their three children, Felicia, Angie, and Jamie moved here from the First Baptist Church, Phil Campbell, Alabama. Bro. Sammy is a native of Colbert County. His home church was North Highland Baptist Church in Littleville. He attended Russellville High School and the University of North Alabama, where he received his B.S. in Secondary Education and Math. He attended seminary at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and there received his Master of Divinity Degree, with a major in Pastoral Ministries. Bro. Sammy’s first task was to fill the staff positions which all became vacant during the period York Terrace was without a pastor. Under his leadership, the church added an additional bi-vocational staff position. When the staff was complete the church now has a full-time Minister of Education, and the bi-vocational positions of Minister of Youth and Minister of Music. During his ministry there were 131 Baptisms, and 94 other additions to the church. However, he also participated in over 70 funerals during his ministry. Bro. Sammy resigned YTBC to become the pastor at First Baptist Church Loretto, TN, in June of 2009.