On February 19, 1960, the Buildette Club met at the Metropolitan Church of God in Christ, 74 Kendall Avenue, Highland Park, Michigan, for the purpose of organizing the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church. The late Rev. R.W. Wright, Moderator of the Pleasant Grove District Association and Pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, chaired the meeting.
The devotion was opened by singing "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross.” Scripture, John 15:8, was read and the Rev. J.E. Moore offered prayer. After a very spirited devotion, the house was then opened for the business at hand. Rev. O.E. Dixon stated the purpose of the meeting. After hearing this statement, it was motioned and seconded the name of the Church would be GREATER ST. MATTHEW BAPTIST CHURCH.
It was motioned by Mrs. Clara Garner and seconded by Mrs. Velma McDonald, that Mrs. Anne West would be the Church Secretary. It was motioned by Bro. E. Ross that Bro. E.L. Coleman would be the Church Treasurer, motions seconded and carried.
Under the guidance of Moderator Wright and the Holy Spirit, it was motioned by Bro. E.L. Coleman and seconded by Bro. Ross that Rev. O.E. Dixon would be the Pastor of the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church. Moderator Rev. Wright carried the motion. The Invitation to Discipleship was offered. The following persons united with the church as members: Mrs. Clara Garner, Mr. Matthew Ross, Mrs. Ella Mae Ross, Mrs. A.C. West, Ms. Betty Ann Sparkman, Ms. Barbara Hamilton, Mr. John L. Jackson, Mr. Edward Ross, Mrs. Velma McDonald, Mr. E.L. Coleman, Mrs. Betty Rodgers, Ms. Norman Jean Sparkman, and Ms. Lilly Leonard.
Rev. Wright read the Church Covenant and explained it as he read, stating that this was one of the finest groups he had ever organized. Now we were organized, but the seal of approval had to be placed upon the group.
Remarks were made by the newly elected Pastor, Rev. Dixon, which were encouraging to all. In this meeting, it was motioned and seconded that our church join the Pleasant Grove District Association; motion carried. A donation of $5.00 was made to the Moderator, $7.25 to the Council, and $5.71 to the Metropolitan Church of God in Christ for the use of their building. Visitors present were Rev. J.E. Moore, Rev. O. Phillip, and Rev. S.M. Moore.
Saints met to worship and praise the Lord in the evenings at the Philadelphia Church of God in Christ, a small storefront on Lincoln at Kendall next to brother Hall's store, and for twenty-eight years at 13734 Thompson. Stepping out on the faith of our Pastor and God's goodness, on February 8, 1988, the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church family marched into our new edifice at 396 Labelle.
This day is God’s work, and it is marvelous in our sight. We are pleased to have been used by God as a part of His plan. While we in no way worship this building, we know from where God has brought us and how He has brought us. The Lord has taken us from leaking holes in the ceiling to much better things. The members, with their Pastor as an example, worked long and hard to reach today’s goals. We know there were many cakes baked, fundraisers held, loans given, tithes and offerings contributed, chickens fried, and ribs grilled to raise money. So if our smiles are a little wider and our step has an extra bounce, it is because deep, deep, way down on the inside, we are rejoicing in the goodness and greatness of God.
Since the organization of Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church, our beloved founding Pastor Rev. O.E. Dixon and First Lady Leila Dixon and many others who were present at the beginning of this great ministry have passed on, but we know that to be absent from us is to be present with the Lord.