For over137 years, Queen Chapel Primitive Baptist Church has stood as a Sentinel pointing men and women, boys and girls to the Heavenly way. In the midst of world turmoil, in the face of strife and war and at times when world ideals are crumbling, this church has ever held high the banner of Christ wo said, “Upon this rock I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
In the year of/or around 1880 a very devout Christian woman came to Suwannee County from Newborn, North Carolina whose name was Mother Lizzie King, but she was affectionately called “Mama King”. She was of the Primitive Baptist faith. Upon arriving in Suwannee County, she didn’t find a church of her faith. She attended Union Baptist Church but wasn’t happy because she was very stern and positive in the Primitive Baptist faith. Therefore, she conversed with the two other Christian women, Mother Nancey Hill and Mother Emily Broom. The three women encouraged others to come to the prayer meetings of which were held in Union Baptist Church- (which was somewhat like a community church) located where the Boatwright farm is presently located.
Mother King – Grandmother of Deacon Amos Bailey
Mother Hill – Mother of Mother Mary Ford and Ford family.
Mother Broom – Mother of Mother Esther Burgs, Mother Sally Riley, Bro. Amos Broom, Sis. Emma Cason, Sis Katie Atkins, Bro. James Broom, Grandmother Broom, Riley, Jones, Burgs, Harris and Sims
Within a short period of time the three women had enough believers in the Primitive Baptist faith to have a church of their own. With slavery only a few years behind, people were getting adjusted to a new way of living and times were extremely hard, yet they kept their faith in God that a way would be make, and it was. There was a Sawmill located at Nebo. So the new Primitive Baptist believers were given a house to hold their services, by the “Boss Man” of the sawmill. They were happy for God had smiled upon them. They new that a minister was needed to guide the Primitive Baptist group, so they called Rev. Woodard. The church progressed and they were able to build a church with limber and materials donated by well wishers and members.
The church was built by skilled and unskilled men who gave days work toward erecting the new church. The church was given the name “Queen Chapel” because it was a special small building for worship. For several years Queen Chapel Primitive Baptist Church was located in the sandy shores of Nebo near the sawmill. Then unfortunately the church burned due to a woods fire. The congregation was deeply saddened by this tragedy. Since the membership had grown it was easy for the group to start a new building because they had faith that God would enable them to get another building.
Again the congregation found refuge in another empty house for a few months. The congregation bought an acre of land about 2 miles south of the old site and build another church for continued worship. The three founders were still serving and working in the church, but it was mush easier for them due to a larger membership who looked to God for the answer to every problem. The church had pastors and devout Christian preachers as the following:
| Rev. Woodard | Rev. Elijah Miller |
| Rev. Garlins | Rev. W.J. Williams |
| Rev. W.C. White Sr. | Rev. L.B. Blackshear |
| Rev. Joe Dock Taylor | Rev. B.C. Johnson |
| Rev. Kelly | Rev. E. Kausey |
| Rev. Brinson | Rev. M.L. Brown |
| Rev. T. C. Crewell | Rev. J. Knights |
| Rev. G. Brooks | Rev. A. Carter |
| Rev. A. W. Woodward | Rev. Simmons |
| Rev. P.H. Davis | Rev. John Washington |
| Rev. Johnny Miller | Rev. A. Carter |
| Rev. F. Davis |
All of Queen Chapel ministers preached the gospel so that everyone could hear of Jesus, now of his goodness and see His works in the lives of men. In 1945 under the pastorage of Rev. B.C. Johnson, a new church was built on the present site “to the Glory of God”. In 1952 under the pastorage of Rev. M.L. Brown the dinette was built.
Long before consolidation and integration of the public schools, Queen Chapel opened its doors to teachers and pupils in the black community. Therefore, many of our young adults received their elementary education in this room. This church has a great heritage of which we ar proud of. The three R’s were taught and Sunday School was a must every Sunday morning under the direction of the late Father Charles Ford, the late Mother Ester Burgs and the late Deacon Aaron Burgs.
In 1982 Rev. Henry L. Durant became the pastor of Queen Chapel Primitive Baptist Church. He proved to be an ambassador for Christ, possessed with a divine enthusiasm which colored his thinking, inspired his actions and directed his life. By the help of God the congregations hoped to build a new church under his pastorage.
May Queen Chapel Primitive Baptist Church stand in years to come as it has stood these 137 years, a living monument of a savior who died that all men might live!
