COCONUT GROVE, Fla. — Carolyn Donaldson describes her church not just as a place of worship, but as an anchor — a spiritual and cultural cornerstone for generations of families in Coconut Grove.
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year. Nestled on the side of the road, the church may appear modest from the outside, but its mission is anything but small: to spread the word of God and serve the community with unwavering faith.
“We view ourselves as the little church on the side of the road,” Donaldson said. “But we believe, as a church, over these 130 years, we’ve been guided by faith.”
That faith has shaped lives, none more notable than former Sunday school student Winston Scott. Taught by longtime church member Dorothy M. Wallace, Scott would go on to become a NASA astronaut — flying on two space shuttle missions and completing three spacewalks. He logged more than 24 days in orbit.
“You cannot forget a student like that,” Wallace said. “I didn’t know he’d become an astronaut, but he had the background and the support system.”
At 96 years old, Wallace remains a dedicated member of the church, having taught both children and adults in Sunday school for decades.
“We taught them how to pray, we taught them to believe in God, and we also taught them how to serve God,” she said.
Wallace remembers a time when the pews were filled with children — and she worries about today’s generation. Fewer parents are bringing their children to church, she says, and that absence of spiritual grounding is deeply felt.
Currently, Macedonia sees between 75 and 100 worshippers on a typical Sunday, with a total membership of about 300. Coconut Grove itself has undergone dramatic change. Once a community that was about 80% Black, it is now closer to 30%, according to longtime residents.
“This community is changing,” Wallace said. “There’s no reason that I couldn’t have a Spanish class right in this church.”
“We should open the doors to the people who are living next door,” she added.
Donaldson, who grew up just across the street, hopes the church’s values will continue to influence the neighborhood — regardless of background or language.
“My prayer,” she said, “is that they grow up and hold the same values that we have had and be very proud to be a voice of this great church.”
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