Central UMC Pastors Since 1928
The following provides a historical snapshot
of senior pastors from central methodist episcopal to Central United Methodist Church
(BIOGRAPHIES COMING SOON)
J. W. Queen
1929 – 1930
Reverend Joseph W. Queen was appointed senior pastor at Central Methodist Episcopal Church from 1929-1930 in the Atlanta District of the Atlanta Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Reverend Queen was the first pastor in the new building on Mitchell Street. Before his appointment to Central, Reverend Queen was the District Superintendent of the conference and helped to oversee the building construction of the new church on Mitchell Street, now Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The church doors officially opened on Easter Sunday, 1929, under Reverend Queen’s leadership.
J. A. Baxter
1930 – 1937
Reverend James Asbury Baxter was appointed senior pastor of Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1930 and served until 1937. After a most productive career in the North Carolina conference, including as Superintendent of the Winston District, he was transferred to Central Methodist Episcopal Church. During his tenure, Reverend Baxter was an excellent community leader and attended many events in Summerhill and the Vine City communities. Under his leadership, the church used the gymnasium, now the Dotson-Ogletree Fellowship Hall, for weekday federally funded programs. The gymnasium rental gave the church additional income and provided fellowship activities for children under the supervision of trained adults. Reverend Baxter presented new programs for the youth. One new program was the 'Faithful Fifty Club', designed to get the youth in the habit of giving money to support the church.
E. Webster McMillan
1938 – 1948
Reverend Elridge Webster McMillan, Sr. was appointed to Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1938 and served as senior pastor until 1948. Reverend McMillan guided the church through the unification of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Methodist Episcopal Church South, and the Methodist Protestant Church. Reverend McMillan encouraged various church auxiliaries to raise funds for much-needed church building repairs. He also felt it was essential to honor church members while they were living and renamed various missionary organizations in honor of church members' significant contributions and service to the church.
L. Scott Allen
1948 – 1956
Reverend Lineunt Scott Allen was appointed senior pastor of Central Methodist Church in 1948 and served faithfully until 1956. Reverend Allen was the youngest pastor ever to grace the pulpit at Central. He became a force to reckon with because of his enthusiasm and passion for social justice and racial equality. Reverend Allen was known as a dynamic leader, orator, and organizer, and under his leadership, the church membership grew substantially. The increased membership led to another significant building project to enlarge the sanctuary and add additional classrooms. He would later become Editor of the Central Jurisdiction Christian Advocate. In 1967, Reverend Allen was the last bishop elected to the former Central Jurisdiction, a racially constituted entity created by the white Methodist church establishment which dissolved the following year after his election.
H. H. Backstrom
1956 – 1960
Reverend Henry Hardy Backstrom was appointed to Central Methodist Church in 1956 and remained as senior pastor until 1960. Reverend Backstrom came to Central Methodist Church after a successful term as District Superintendent. As the pastor, he oversaw completing a building expansion fundraising campaign started under our previous pastor - the funds used to construct the new Education building. Reverend Backstrom was appointed to a second term as District Superintendent in 1960.
Adolphus S. Dickerson
1960 – 1968; Interim 1987 – 1988
Reverend Dr. Adolphus S. Dickerson was appointed senior pastor of Central Methodist Church from June 1960 to 1968 and served as interim pastor from 1987-1988. During Reverend Dickerson's tenure at Central, he promoted social, cultural, educational, civic, and religious activities by organizing the Faithful Workers Club, the Male Chorus, the Young Adult Fellowship, and the Altar Guild. Under his leadership, the church had a strong children's ministry. Central purchased and renovated property on Hunter Street, now Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, while Reverend Dickerson was pastor. The church secured federal funds to build low-cost housing, which helped start the Central Methodist Gardens Project. The dedication service for the Education Building was held under Reverend Dickerson. Central Methodist Church was the first Black church in the Vine City community in the spring and summer months to offer early morning services in 1962 under Reverend Dickerson. After the untimely death of Reverend P. Harold Gray, Reverend Dickerson agreed to serve as interim pastor until a permanent replacement was found.
Joseph E. Lowery
1968 – 1986
Reverend Dr. Joseph Echols Lowery was appointed senior pastor of Central United Methodist Church in 1968 and served until 1986. Reverend Lowery transferred to Central from Warren United Methodist Church in Mobile, Alabama, shortly after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Not long after his arrival at Central, Reverend Lowery guided the church through the merger of The Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church. This merger ended the segregation of African American churches into a separate Central Jurisdiction. Reverend Lowery was the longest-serving pastor in the church’s history. He led the church for eighteen years and elevated Central United Methodist Church to a higher level in civil and human rights and social justice involvement. During his tenure, the church's membership grew to over 2,000 members. Central Methodist Gardens, a 240-unit housing complex, was constructed in southwest Atlanta under his tenure. While at Central United Methodist Church, Reverend Lowery drew students from the Atlanta University Center schools, notably Clark College, now Clark Atlanta University. He challenged the students to actively participate in the social, political, and civil rights issues plaguing the black communities. The church had a vibrant TV ministry on WSB Channel 2 during Reverend Lowery's pastorate
P. Harold Gray
1986 – 1987
Reverend Dr. Pickney Harold Gray was appointed senior pastor at Central United Methodist Church in 1986 and had the rather dubious task of taking the helm of Central after Reverend Lowery received another assignment from the bishop. In the spring of 1986, Reverend Gray was appointed to Central and only served for one year before his untimely death. He approved completing a church directory; later named and dedicated to his memory. Reverend Gray encouraged the revitalization of the Children’s Choir and the implementation of the Children’s Sermon (later called Children’s Church). He passed on December 12, 1987, while serving as pastor. Reverend A.S. Dickerson served as interim pastor until the conference assigned the next pastor.
Rodney T. Smothers
1988 – 1998
Reverend Rodney Smothers was appointed senior pastor at Central United Methodist Church in 1988 and served until 1998. Reverend Smothers had a strong focus on strategic visioning and leadership development. He led the church through a successful revitalization starting with two Sunday morning worship services and was responsible for more than 600 students completing Disciple Bible Study. Church membership grew significantly under his watch. As a part of the revitalization efforts, the church broke ground for the construction of the New Ministry Center to include administrative offices, Sunday school classrooms, and the Early Learning Center. In addition, much-needed renovations to the Sanctuary building were completed during his tenure.
Joseph L. Crawford, Sr.
1998 – 2001
Reverend Dr. Joseph L. Crawford, Sr. was appointed Central United Methodist Church senior pastor in 1998 and served until 2001. Reverend Crawford has held many significant leadership positions within the United Methodist Church and conference. One of his notable accomplishments as Central pastor was purchasing a 15-passenger van for the church’s members and staff. Reverend Crawford led efforts to document the first recorded history of the Central United Methodist Church. He was also pastor when the church, under the direction of Reverend Sallie Parrish, Minister of Music, organized a city-wide choir that performed annually with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He also led the congregation into a new millennium. Reverend Crawford became interim President-Dean for Gammon Theological Seminary in July 2020 and served until April 2021.
Frederick R. Gray
2001 – 2006
Reverend Frederick R. Gray was appointed senior pastor at Central United Methodist Church in 2001 and served until 2006. As Central’s pastor, he established a Congregational Care Ministry. Also, a $400,000 maintenance and capital improvement project had begun. Under his leadership, TV-One chose Central for a “Divine Restoration” Makeover of the Prayer Garden, later named in his honor. Reverend Gray led much-needed improvements to Central Methodist Gardens, a low-income housing project in Southwest Atlanta, providing new programs for residents, improved security, and renovations to the apartment homes. After retirement, Reverend and Mrs. Gray have continued their membership and service at Central. Reverend Gray is known for his popular “Journey Through the Bible” Bible Study Class. With an interest in history, Reverend Gray researched and documented the Central pastors that served from 1866 – 1900, a supplement to the first written account of the church’s history by Annette West Hampton.
Byron E. Thomas
2006 – 2013
Reverend Dr. Bryon E. Thomas was appointed to Central United Methodist Church in 2006 and served as senior pastor until 2013. Pastor Thomas moved the church from a membership model to a Discipling Congregation. He focused on strengthening the link between spiritual formation and mission, introducing the church to the Six Marks of Discipleship as foundational principles and practices that support the vision and mission of the church. The church became debt-free by selling Central Methodist Gardens under Reverend Thomas’ leadership. Reverend Thomas also launched a Lenten Giving Campaign for early retirement of debt for the Ministry Center.
Yvette D. Massey
2013 – 2018
Reverend Dr. Yvette D. Massey was appointed in 2013 as Central United Methodist Church's first female senior pastor and served until 2018. She guided the church during the building of the Mercedes Benz Stadium and was also responsible for developing our “vision and purpose” statements that Central currently uses today. Reverend Massey was senior pastor during our 150th Church Anniversary celebration. Massey had a strong passion for the people of God, and her mission was to reach the outcast for Christ.
Document of All Senior Pastors of Central UMC
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