One of the oldest African-American congregations in Miami began inauspiciously on November 11, 1923, in a small shack affectionately referred to as the "Fish House." Bishop E.A. Roberts led the small band of worshipers, assisted by Charles Johnson, Zaccheus Pinder, and Henry Stirrup. Subsequently, the members built a large sanctuary at 1609 Northwest Fifth Court, which was destroyed in the great hurricane of 1926. Thanks mainly to the efforts of James Woods and the St. Mary's Coronet Band, which raised money by playing at funerals, parades, and other functions, the members built a new sanctuary, which was completed in 1928. ​ The next fifteen years witnessed the growth of the church into one of the larger African-American congregations in Miami. The Sunday school flourished, and night services were usually well attended. In 1942, the church was incorporated, and in October 1943, Bishop Roberts died.