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MSBC Media PlayerMedia Center
MSBCOC | In Remembrance
Martha Wainwright Preston
February 14, 1893 - August 4, 1967
Martha
Phillips Wainwright Preston, one of Briscoe and Mary Catherine Phillips' eight
children, was born in Baltimore, Maryland on February 14, 1893. She attended
school in Baltimore and joined the Morning Star Baptist Church as a teenager.
After graduating from State Normal School, in 1910, Miss Phillips began a teaching career in White Haven, Maryland. It was there that she met Stephen C. Wainwright, whom she married at the Morning Star Baptist Church in 1911. Thirteen children were born of this union.
Mrs. Wainwright was affiliated with and faithfully served the church in White Haven until 1933 when the family home was destroyed by fire and they moved to Baltimore. She then renewed her membership with Morning Star.
Stephen Wainwright died in 1939 and in 1943 Mrs. Wainwright married Andrew Preston. He also became a member of the church.
Mrs. Wainwright Preston taught in the Primary Department of the Sunday School and was secretary of the Baptist Young People's Training Union. She was a member of the gospel chorus, Nora Marner Chorus, Pastor's Aid, Wicks Progressive Club, Renovation Club and Ivy Leaf Sewing Circle. For a number of years she was called upon to deliver the welcome address on Women's Day.
In addition to her church life, Mrs. Wainwright Preston was active in her children's schools and in the community. She spent much of her time working with Parent Teacher Associations and NAACP membership drives.
Because one of her sons was killed serving his country in World War II, Mrs. Wainwright Preston was honored as a Gold Star Mother in 1945.
Mrs. Wainwright Preston loved God, her church and her pastor. She was always the first to volunteer when assistance was needed and was loved by her church and community members. She could readily relate to others' problems and would cry with you; comfort you; mourn with you; work with you or celebrate with you.
"Dear Mother", as her family and friends called her, had an undying faith in the Almighty. To her all things were possible with prayer and belief in the Heavenly Father. She greeted you with a smile, was a woman of her word and dutifully visited the sick even when she herself was sick.
During her lingering illness she cherished time spent communing with her God, "Mary's Son" as she called Him, knowing that He would bring her relief in His time. She died on August 4, 1967.
Because of Mrs. Wainwright Preston's prayer life, love of scripture and years of faithful service to Morning Star Baptist Church of Christ; Reverend Dr. Samuel Ray and the Board of Christian Education decided to posthumously honor her by establishing the Martha W. Preston Bible Class.
This month we pay tribute to this true woman of God and give thanks for her walk among us.
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