She Preached for 60 Years and Died at 102: The Incredible Life of Pastor Martha Green

Connecticut Church Founder Martha Green Dies at 102 After Six Decades of Faithful Ministry

Apostle Martha V. Green, the beloved founder of St. Mary's Unison Free Will Baptist Church in New Haven, Connecticut, passed away on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2026, at the age of 102.

Green was born on April 5, 1923, in Greenville, North Carolina. She migrated to New Haven in 1953 with her husband, Willie, where she found work at Yale New Haven Hospital and later the Veterans Administration hospital in West Haven.

She became a member of Pitts Chapel in New Haven in 1953 and preached her first sermon at the church in 1963. A decade later, in 1973, she founded St. Mary's Unison Free Will Baptist Church, which she led faithfully for over four decades.

The church moved multiple times over the years, from Grand Avenue to Goffe Street to Kossuth Street and finally to Shelton Avenue. In November 2019, the street corner of Shelton Avenue and Ivy Street was officially named "Pastor Martha V. Green Corner" in her honor.

Green was recognized as the oldest living pastor still serving in the New Haven area and was known for championing female pastors and mentoring numerous women into ministry. She was still preaching once a month at the time of her passing.

The church's current pastor, Gershom Bey, announced her passing in a statement published on Facebook.

Apostle Green completed her earthly assignment and entered into eternal rest on February 14, 2026, when her true Valentine, our Lord, called her name.

Pastor Bey also said:

Her life was a testament to the power of faith, prayer, and unwavering service.

Green's niece, Andrea Singleton, remembered her aunt as a trailblazer.

She was a mentor to so many. She was a trailblazer.

Pastor Danny Bland also credited Green with shaping his faith journey.

She is a major part of my spiritual formation.

Green was the last surviving sibling of 10 children. She leaves behind a legacy of faithful service, a thriving congregation, and generations of ministers she raised up in the faith.

Apostle Martha V. Green Leaves Behind a Legacy of Faith and Trailblazing Ministry in New Haven

Green's impact on the New Haven community extended far beyond the walls of her church. She was named one of five New Haveners of the Year in 2010 for her work building up the congregation at St. Mary's, training a new generation of female ministers, and striking a $1 million deal with Yale.

Her six decades of ministry in New Haven stand as a powerful testament to what one faithful life, dedicated wholly to God's calling, can accomplish.

The Crusader's Opinion

Martha Green preached for over sixty years and planted a church that still stands today. She did not seek fame or fortune. She sought obedience to the calling God placed on her life. That is the kind of Christianity the world desperately needs more of. In an age where pastors chase platforms and influence, this woman simply served. She mentored others, lifted up the next generation, and stayed faithful until the Lord called her home at 102. What a life. What a witness. May we all be so steadfast.

Take Action

• Share the story of Martha Green's faithful ministry with your congregation and on social media to inspire others in their walk of faith.
• Support small, community churches like St. Mary's Unison Free Will Baptist Church that carry on the legacy of pastors like Martha Green. Reach out to local churches in your area and offer your time or resources.
• Encourage and mentor young people in your church who feel called to ministry. Follow Martha Green's example by investing in the next generation of Christian leaders.
• Pray for the congregation of St. Mary's Unison Free Will Baptist Church in New Haven as they grieve and continue the work their founder began over 50 years ago.
• Consider donating to organizations that support pastors and churches in need, such as The Shepherd's Shield, which works to protect and equip Christian communities.