St. Miles Missionary Baptist Church History

The history of St. Miles started just like Matthew 18:20 “Where two or three are gathered in my name I shall be in the midst.” Seven or eight people began to worship in a little place called Ames, Texas. Some of the original worshippers were Brother and Sister Arthur Cumby, Brother and Sister Calvin Smith, Brother Robert Miles, Brother Van and Sister Webb. This was the beginning of what we now know as the St. Miles Missionary Baptist Church. In 1926 the members donated enough money to buy a small piece of land. They could not afford to put a building on the land at this time, but they did not let this stop them from serving the Lord. They held their worship services under a brush arbor out in the open. Every Sunday, different ministries around the area would conduct Sunday services from 1926-1929.

In 1929 Rev. J.P Henderson was elected as the First Pastor of what was called Miles Chapel. Rev. Henderson served until 1933.

1934 Rev. E.P Cormier was elected as the Second Pastor and served for one year. He left in 1934, so in the same year, the church called Rev. J. Bartee as the 3^rd Pastor. Rev. Bartee proved to be an outstanding leader for 22 years.

The Usher board was organized in 1934. Durning Rev. J. Bartee leadership the congregation obtained it’s first building to worship in. November 1940 the church moved from the back lot to the front lot where we are today, next to the main highway. The congregation increased and in 1953 After much prayer and mediation the church agreed to build a new building. Rev. Bartee resigned in 1955.

 On January 6^th, 1956, Rev. R. L. Taylor was elected as the 4^th Pastor and served for 2 years.

 In 1958 Rev. L. B. Wade was elected as the fifth Pastor and served for one year.

 In 1959 Rev. P. J Walker was elected as the sixth Pastor of what is now known as St. Miles Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. P. J Walker led the congregation in many great works. The membership increased, the Pastor and Members voted to build a new and larger building to worship in. On July 4^th, 1971, the current building was dedicated to the service of our Lord and Savior.

In 1972, St. Miles Missionary Baptist Church entered a new phase of Outreach ministry. A radio broadcast ministry was established on KPXE 99.9 which is now KSHN 99.9 FM. Rev. P.J Walker served faithfully for 26 years until God called him home on Nov.27^th,1985.

Rev. Robert L. Jackson served as interim Pastor until the next Pastor was elected.

On July 2^nd,1986 Rev. Hurley Clayton was elected as the 7^th Pastor of St. Miles MBC. Durning his tenure, the membership increased to over 300 members. The church was remolded, and the parking lot was finished. Under the leadership of Rev. Hurley Clayton, three young ministers were licensed. The three licensed ministers were Rev. Greg Bellard, Rev. Edwin Hardy, and Rev. Dwight Pruitt. Durning Rev. Clayton tenure, the mortgage was burned on St. Miles Missionary Baptist Church. In October 1995, Rev. Hurley Clayton resigned.

Again, Rev. Robert L. Jackson served as the Interim Pastor with Rev. Edwin Hardy as his assistant.

On June 6^th,1996 Rev. Roland Garner was elected as the 8th Pastor of St. Miles MBC, he resigned in October of 1998.

Again Rev. Robert L. Jackson served as the Interim Pastor.

In November 2007, Rev. Dwight Pruitt was elected as the 9^th Pastor. Pastor Pruitt motto “St. Miles is a church where everybody is somebody” When Rev. Dwight Pruitt resigned Rev. Cyrus Lewis served as the Interim Pastor.

 In March 2009, Rev. Raphael D. Montgomery became the 10^th Pastor of St. Miles MBC. His motto was “Determined to make a difference.” Rev. Raphael D. Montogomery resigned in Dec.2010.

On July 29^th, 2011. Rev. Ervin C. Victoria became the 11^th Pastor of St. Miles. Under Rev. Erwin C. Victoria our motto was “Molding believers and Influencing the world”.

On April 9^th, 2017, Rev. Dwight Pruitt returned to St. Miles MBC and became the 12^th Pastor. Rev. Pruitt served faithfully until God called him home on February 23^rd, 2023.

On December 10^th, 2023, Rev. Kenneth W. Daniels, Jr. became our 13^th Pastor. Pastor Daniels preaches and teaches the Word God with clarity. He continues to challenge us not only to read the word but to apply God’s principles to our lives daily. Under Pastor Daniels we are continually to grow in membership. Pastor Daniels also has re-established ministries, such as the Choir and the Youth department.  Pastor Daniels makes sure the Youth serve in ministry as well by re-establishing Vacation Bible School, Children’s Church, Youth Choir, Fine Arts performances (Plays, Speeches and Skits) establishing Pizza with The Pastor, Entrepreneurship Sunday and Sunday Fun Day. Pastor Daniels also established the Seasoned Saints Ministry that serve the senior saints. Pastor Daniels established the media and technology ministry. Pastor Daniels improved technology such as enhancing virtual online worship services, and established St. Miles presence on all social media applications. Pastor Daniels also established online giving for all that desire to give digitally. Another one of Pastor Daniels passion is to service the Ames community, which lead to the development of the Community Outreach Ministry. Through this ministry the community of Ames are serviced with various Outreach services such as the Annual Community Fall celebration. St. Miles also partnered with Peering for Our Peers in providing school supplies and Christmas Toy giveaways. Pastor and First Lady Daniels contribute to the Ames Community Summer Reading program by donating books. Pastor Daniels reminds us of 1 Corinthians 2:9 ^“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

We the members, truly believe that God has more for St. Miles.

We will continually strive to obey the mandate and directions of God. Throughout our history, we have continued to maintain the strong biblical foundation and commitment we were founded upon.