Our Church History
Parker Memorial Missionary Baptist Church History (Updated March 2022)
Parker Memorial began as a mission from the Metropolitan Baptist Church. The late Reverend Hugh Brockington started this mission in the new subdivision in West Cocoa. Two members of Metropolitan lived in the community: Deacon Tilton Smith and Sister Frances Hamilton. They started a Sunday school class by putting chairs out in Deacon Smith's front yard. Adults and children began to join the mission and Reverend Brockington decided to start a church.
Parker Memorial Missionary Baptist Church was built from wood salvaged from the old Cocoa Ice House. With 26 members, guided by the Holy Spirit, Parker Memorial was established in 1962. Parker Memorial was named in honor of the late Rev. Dr. A.D. Parker, former Pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church. The first service was held on Sunday, March 4, 1962. The late Reverend J.C. Wise served as the first Pastor. The late Brother Robert Hamilton was the first Deacon, Sister Frances Hamilton was the first Deaconess. The late Sister Mamie Smith served as the first secretary.
On March 15, 1987, Liberty Baptist Church merged with Parker Memorial under the leadership of the late Pastor Leonard Daggett, Sr. In the years that followed, a water line was installed, the church was remodeled, rest rooms and a Pastor's office was added, central air and heat was installed, and the adjoining property was purchased. In January 1993, the late Melvin Chatman, who came to us from Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, became the Pastor of Parker Memorial. As the membership continued to grow, a larger building was needed. In June of 1994, the church began to break ground for a new sanctuary.
Through faith in God, prayer, a great spirit of fellowship among the members and Christian friends, the labor and financial support for a new sanctuary became a reality. The construction of the new sanctuary was completed, and on Sunday, December 3, 1995, we marched into our new church singing, “We’ve Come This Far by Faith! Leaning on the Lord!” In December 1996, a new Fellowship Hall was completed. The first church building was named in honor of the late Reverend Leonard Daggett, Sr.; “Leonard Daggett Fellowship Hall.”
In addition to the new sanctuary, offices for the Pastor and Secretary, and a new fellowship hall, many other blessings followed: A new paved parking lot, * A baptismal pool was installed * The mortgage on the Sanctuary was paid off * A new van was purchased * New sound equipment purchased * an audio tape ministry was established * A neighborhood witness ministry was started * The land adjacent to the church was purchased The house at 501 Lincoln Road was purchased and renovated in 2008 * A new organ was purchased in 2009 * A second van was purchased in 2011 * A Memorial Parker Memorial Missionary Baptist Church History (continued) Garden was built * A new LED sign was purchased * The kitchen was upgraded with new countertops and cabinets * A marriage ministry was started in 2009 * Kingdom Care Child ministry started in 2011 * Parker Memorial Community Love Outreach 501c3 established in 2014 * Scholarship Ministry * Publicity Ministry * Church website established
At a church business meeting on March 8, 2016, the late Deacon Anthony McFadden appointed Minister Addison K. Mitchell as the Interim Pastor. Our church had nine previous Pastors. On Sunday, August 20, 2017, he was installed as the 10th Pastor of Parker Memorial. Under his leadership, Parker Memorial is still growing in membership, ministry works, and is a beacon of Christian light for the West Cocoa and the Greater Cocoa Community at large.
Thus far, the 1st six years have produced the following accomplishments: Sunday services are broadcasted on Facebook Live * A Sunday Best Clothes ministry for the Caribbean Islands was established * Non-perishable dry goods and food products are sent to the Caribbean Islands during times of distress * Publicity and IT Media Ministry * Third Sunday Ministry at Rockledge Rehabilitation Center * Burned the mortgage in October 2018 * Re-established the House of Hope as a place of refuge in 2017 * Revived the WIGS (Women in Gods Service) Ministry to provide missionary care and support to the elderly * Establish the Men Anointed Needed and Necessary Ministry (MANN Ministry) * Re-named Mobile Ave. to Melvin Chatman Way in honor of the late Pastor Melvin Chatman * Renovated the House of Hope in 2021 * Dedicated the House of Hope as a multi-use facility * Brought COVID-19 testing to the West Cocoa community * Worked with Brevard County officials to bring COVID-19 vaccinations to West Cocoa * Partnered Parker Memorial with Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters and United Way * Served more than 715 pallets of food and 8 18-wheeler truckloads of farmers-to-families foods to Brevard County for 12 months during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic * Awarded a $451,000.00 federal grant to feed the hungry throughout Brevard County * Tithing boxes built as exact replicas of the first church * Constructed Calvary Hill Crosses Memorial in the front of the church * Laid the churches first cornerstone in 2021 * Established the Minister’s Wives and Deaconess Ministry * Established a Decorations Ministry * Established a Bereavement Ministry * Establish an obituary creation service for active members upon their passing * Birthday and Anniversary Cake celebrations every 1st Sunday * Established two apps for tithing (cashapp and Stripe) * On Sunday, August 30, 2020, licensed Parker Memorials first woman into the ministry; Evangelist Lizzie Mitchell * Established a Financial Oversight Committee * Established the PMMBC Prayer Warriors Ministry * Named bible study Spiritual Bread Night * Installed large-screen TVs in Fellowship Hall to broadcast services from the Sanctuary * Revamped the Youth Ministry to focus on outreach and spiritual growth.
Today, God is continually adding new members to Parker Memorial. We are growing under the watchful care of Almighty God and the leadership of Pastor Mitchell, who is devoted to serving our Heavenly Father by shepherding the flock.
Pastor Mitchell was elected as the President of the 4th Sunday Brotherhood of Churches on Thursday, February 10, 2022. Our beloved late Pastor Melvin Chatman was one of the original founders of the 4th Sunday Brotherhood and served the community very well as the President for many years.
We have truly “Come This Far by Faith, Leaning on The Lord!” And we are truly “Building God's Kingdom on the Power of His Word.” Love Always!
