Often female pastors are associated with White mainline congregations, but the first churches to be pastored by women in Birmingham were usually African American congregations that were part of the Sanctified Church movement. This appears to be the case with this church at the corner of 6th Avenue North and 1st Street North in Birmingham’s Smithfield neighborhood. The building was evidently originally a house and a worship space was later added by the church along 1st Street.
Not only did a woman, Rev. Dr. Carolyn E. Maddox found the church, but another woman, Rev. Delina J. Kelly served as president of the board of trustees.
Read this first post for more on this series on Birmingham churches and their cornerstones.
Chasing Churches 