On August 4, 1916, property located on Poydras Street was purchased for the amount of $200.  A small wood frame house was later built and the St. Peter Baptist Church was organized in 1917.   During the first few years, St. Peter experienced several transfers of leadership.  Reverends Dunken Landos, Fread Merrelio, J.M. Martin and J.F. Green, all led faithfully during this period.  Members saw a need for improvement and God sent a man in the person of the late Reverend Albert A. Nelson, who had wisdom and foresight to have the church rebuilt, chartered and renamed Greater St. Peter Baptist Church in 1942.
 
During the second period several pastors, the Reverend Albert A. Nelson, Reverend W.L. Washington and for the most part Reverend Moses J. Haynes (M.J.) led the flock.
 
Reverend M. J. Haynes and Reverend Norwood T. Calvin (N.T.) both essentially ushered in and continued the present period of spiritual program and growth, which began in 1960.
 
Greater St. Peter has always and still emphasizes that its Christian members, as baptized believers, are to gather at the church for spiritual fellowship, encouragement, Christian education and training.  The church also instills in its members the need to worship God and to move His church forward.  The church doctrine further encourages Christians to go out into the world and carry Christ’s message of redemption.  Greater St. Peter truly believes in Christ, who is the Great Head of the Christian Church.
 
As a testimony to its spiritual growth, Greater St. Peter has expanded its ministries, its outreach missions and its Christian education program.  As all Christian churches, Greater St. Peter’s spiritual goal is in a continual state of progress.  God’s work never ends!
 
During recent times, as Greater St. Peter moves forward in the Christian arena, it continues to minimize its weaknesses and build upon its strengths by initiating and coordinating its street ministry, enhancing youth activities, giving more missionary aid and disaster assistance, and improving its statistical and record keeping
procedures.  The Greater St. Peter Family believes that a church cannot keep still, it must move forward by keeping Christ in the forefront and enhancing Christianity through various Christian ministries.   
 
As we continue to move the church forward with its divine purpose in mind, let us remember the scripture that our late pastors, Reverend M.J. Haynes and Reverend N.T. Calvin, often quoted and adhered to its meaning:  “Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. “– Philippians 3:13-14
 
Greater St. Peter thanks God for sending us a very capable leader, Reverend Carl D. Terrance, Sr., who continues to move the church in a progressive manner as the members rededicate themselves and continue to do God’s will.  We offer tutoring to the students in the community, mission and counseling classes for deacons and interested members.  Also, we have implemented married couples and singles ministries, offer Christian Foundation Classes, mid-week Bible Study, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and book-studies facilitated through the Sisterhood Ministry.  With God’s help and guidance, we will continue to be a light to this community and to the world.
 
Greater St. Peter currently has properties on Poydras Street, Pennsylvania Street and its present church site on Singletary Street, which was purchased in the late 1960’s.  The church was rebuild and dedicated in January of 1971.  In the mid 1990’s, Greater St. Peter began its expansion program by enlarging its balcony, kitchen, dining area and classrooms for a variety of Christian education activities.  In 2006, we acquired property from the late Mrs. Annette Conner’s family.  This property is located on Fir Street in New Roads.  We have purchased additional property on Singletary Street and in 2013; new seating was purchased for the choir stand and pulpit and the carpet in the sanctuary was replaced.  Also on August 1, 2013, 6.118 acres of land was purchased in the expansion of Curet Subdivision, located along the rear of Emmitt Douglas Park.  The future utilization of this property is yet to be determined, but will definitely be an equitable asset in fulfilling our mission and the expansion of this ministry.  Currently, a project is underway to revitalize the cosmetics of the church.  “When God speaks, we shall move!”
 
Pastor Terrance often quotes and as a congregation we adhere to this scripture of Paul’s encouragement to the church at Philippi in Philippians 1:27,

“Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see youor else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.”