History

Saints' Memorial Community Church has a rich and inspirational history that began on December 11, 1968, in the home of Mrs. Harriet Lamon. It all started with two meetings held in the preceding month of November, where a small group came together with the shared goal of fostering Christian fellowship and building a congregation and church. Mrs. Harriet Lamon and Mrs. Sophie Jackson, who had previously met with the group in November, took the initiative to contact Reverend Norman H. Davis, formerly the pastor of First Baptist Church of Riverside, NJ, known for successfully completing a comprehensive building renovation program there.

The attendees of the initial meetings included Mark Walker, Maurice Bentcliffe, Sophie Jackson, Mamie Nelms, and Constance Bentcliff. Rev. Davis agreed to meet with them, and on December 11, 1968, the historic meeting that led to the formation of Saints' Memorial Community Church took place. The founding members were:

Rev. Norman H. Davis
Mrs. Eleanor Davis
Sophie Jackson
Mickey Hawkins
Mamie Nelms
Ida Teats
Harriet Lamon
Maurice Bentcliff
Hendrine Royce
Mark Walker
Sheila Stout
Nelson Tyler
Constance Bentcliff
Louis Jackson
Elsie Jackson
Lewis Ricketts

Following this significant meeting, the charter members extended a lifetime call to Rev. Davis to serve as the Pastor. The church was officially named, a constitution was drafted, and on January 19, 1969, Saints' Memorial Community Church held its inaugural worship service at Buckingham Park School in Willingboro, with a remarkable attendance of over 200 individuals. During the first two years, the church established most of its auxiliaries, boards, and choirs, with additional ones formed as needed. Under Rev. Davis' leadership and with God's blessings, the church's membership steadily grew, and Saints' Memorial became an active and integral part of the Willingboro community.

After the passing of Rev. Davis on February 19, 1986, Rev. Eddie L. Durham, who had served as Assistant Pastor under Rev. Davis, became interim Pastor from March 1986 to December 1986. Later, he was officially called to be the Pastor and initiated various enhancement projects, including building renovations, security systems, improved administrative procedures, and the acquisition of a church bus. In 1989, Rev. Durham successfully negotiated church mortgage refinancing.

However, in 1990, Rev. Durham resigned for personal reasons, and in February 1991, Reverend Leamon Wells assumed the position of Pastor until February 1994, when he resigned by mutual

agreement with the congregation. The Official Board then reached out to Reverend Durham to consider returning as Pastor, and he graciously accepted. Under his leadership, the church thrived, and the mortgage was paid off a year ahead of schedule. Numerous improvements were made, including a new sound system, central air conditioning, land acquisition, and the purchase of a church van.

Both the Church and the Daycare Center made a profound impact on the Willingboro community. Saints' Memorial, a non-denominational Church with a Baptist orientation, attracted members from the diverse community, serving as a place of worship and outreach. The Better Daycare Center, as a church-sponsored entity, provided essential childcare services, but due to changes in the educational landscape and economic challenges, it closed in December 2004.

On November 15, 1973, Saints' Memorial acquired the land for the Church complex, and on October 17, 1974, a building permit was issued. Over the next three years, the land was cleared, and the foundation for the church building was meticulously laid, despite the financial constraints. During this time, the church continued to pay rent at various schools and community buildings to hold worship services and church-related activities.

Rev. Davis tirelessly submitted applications and proposals for a construction mortgage to various banks on the church's behalf. In the fall of 1977, construction temporarily halted due to the unavailability of a bank loan needed for the major building phase.

However, by late 1977, Riverside Savings and Loan Association, moved by divine inspiration, granted a primary mortgage. The Friendly National Bank also played a pivotal role in funding the completion phases of construction. In October 1977, while still under construction, the church was appraised at $300,000, with $30,000 allocated to the land and $270,000 to the building.

On August 6, 1978, Saints' Memorial Community Church held its first worship service at the new Church Edifice and Fellowship Hall located at Kennedy Way and Pine Lane. Shortly after, in September 1978, the Church-sponsored Better Daycare Center was opened, providing affordable childcare services with capable caregivers in a safe learning environment. The Center consistently operated at full capacity.

Saints' Memorial has a history of hosting prominent speakers, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr., and other distinguished African Americans like Mohammed Ali, Dr. Wade Wilson, Coretta Scott King, and Ray Charles. The church also had the honor of hosting the first Annual Installation of the Willingboro Chapter of the NAACP.

In the summer of 2019, after 25 years of dedicated service, Pastor Durham retired and relocated to South Carolina. A new era began at Saints' Memorial, with Rev. Cassius L. Rudolph serving as interim Pastor from November 17, 2019, to November 20, 2021. Rev. Rudolph, a preacher, scholar, social justice activist, and voting rights advocate, brought a fresh vision, energy, and deep faith to the congregation.

Under Rev. Rudolph's leadership, significant achievements and initiatives included the ordination of the first woman clergy person, an annual adopted school program in the community, the establishment of the Saints' Memorial Administrative Retreat Training, the revival of the Bible, Books, & Brunch Bible Study, the creation of the Social Justice Ministry, the Health & Wellness Ministry, the Children's Ministry (King's Kids), various social media platforms, a new website, and email domains.

Additionally, Rev. Rudolph guided over 35 new souls to the congregation, provided leadership during the global pandemic through prayer lines and midweek check-ins, and introduced the encounter midweek worship service for community engagement and testimonies.

On November 20, 2021, Rev. Rudolph was elected as the 5th Pastor of Saints' Memorial Community Church. Installation services were held throughout the entire month of February 2022, with distinguished speakers such as Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Rev. Dr. LaKeesha Walrond, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, Rev. Dr. Leslie D. Callahan, and many others. Under the direction of Rev. Rudolph, the church embarked on a major renovation project in 2023, including a new and completed roof, renovated sanctuary, updated vestibule, and various other enhancements to the physical plant.

Throughout its history, Saints' Memorial has been committed to the spiritual well-being of the community, aspiring to be a beacon of light and hope for all who are led to its doors, sharing the message of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.