Derrick K. Walton was born in Philadelphia, PA and grew up in Bridgeport CT. After high school graduation, he studied at Ohio University in Athens, OH. After a year there, he transferred to Howard University in Washington, DC where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Human Ecology. He worked for several consulting firms and Federal agencies and retired from the Department of Defense after 36 years of service.
While attending Zion UMC in Lexington Park, MD, he served in several ministries including theBoard of Trustees, Staff Parish Relations, Nominations and Lay Leadership Development, Outreach and Worship. Additionally, he served as a Bible Study facilitator and served in both the Prayer and Men’s Ministries and was a member of the Men’s Choir. Ultimately, he served as a Lay Speaker and Lay Leader.
While actively practicing in Christian discipleship and servant-leadership, he received his call from the Lord to pastoral ministry and declared his candidacy as a Licensed Local Pastor. Pastor Walton received his pastoral license from the Baltimore Washington Conference in July 2011.
On July 1, 2012, Pastor Walton was assigned as Pastor in Charge at Mt. Zion UMC in St. Inigoes, MD. He served the community for seven years emphasizing Christian service, family, and the love of God until relocating to his current residence in McDonough, GA. Pastor Walton subsequently joined Wesley Chapel UMC in McDonough in December 2019 and transferred his license to the North Georgia Conference, South Central District. At Wesley Chapel UMC, he served on the Ministerial Team as an active participant in Praise and Worship Services, a Bible Study facilitator and as a Stephen Minister.
In July 2023, Pastor Walton was assigned as Pastor in Charge at Kings Memorial UMC in Atlanta, GA. He serves with the saints at Kings Memorial serve the community and disseminate the word of God. Pastor Walton loves the Lord! He has dedicated his life to serving God’s kingdom and God’s people. He finds peace in his favorite scripture, Psalm 28:6-7, “Praise the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him. And he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.”
Kings Memorial United Methodist Church was formed in 1958 following the merger of Kings Temple Methodist Church and Wylie Memorial Methodist Church.
Kings Temple United Methodist Church was organized in July, 1923 as Edgewood Mission under the leadership of Rev. W.L. Huston and Mr. Jon Crockett. The original place of worship for King’s Temple (Edgewood Mission) was a building located on the corner of Actor Street and Mayson Ave. In 1935, the congregation moved to a site at the corner of Hutchinson Street and Watson Street. For nine years, this location was the church home for the members of Kings Temple. In 1943, Rev. Anderson C. Epps was appointed pastor of Kings Temple. The ministry and mission of the church grew under his leadership. The congregation made plans for a building, its first sanctuary. By a vote of the Atlanta Conference of the Central Jurisdiction of the Methodist church and through the leadership of Bishop Lorenza H. King (Resident Bishop of the Atlantic Coast Area), a grant in 1943 or 1944 of $1,000.00 was given toward the building of the new church. The Superintendent of the Atlanta East District recommended that Edgewood Mission be renamed Kings Temple in honor of Bishop King and his efforts on the congregation’s behalf. Therefore, a new church building, Kings Temple began and was completed during the pastorate of Rev. Anderson C. Epps.
The congregation continued to worship at the Hutchinson Street and Watson Street location until it merged with Wylie Memorial Methodist Church in 1958. Prior to the merger with Wylie Memorial Methodist Church, a long list of illustrious Methodist ministers pastored at Kings Temple. Among them were the Reverends W. R. Tindale, A.C. Epps, R.W. Moore, Zack Berrien, J. B. Garrison, and Cornelius L. Henderson.
Like Kings Temple, the history of Wylie Memorial Methodist Church was one of service and praise; led by service to the local community and praise to Almighty God.
Wylie Memorial Methodist Church was born under the brush arbor in Reynoldstown in the year 1870 and became a reality through the faith of the following praise worshipers who were present at a revival that year, Isaac Gibson, Joe Harden, Charmen Maddox, Henry Reynolds, U. Baily, and several loyal women and children. In 1871, the congregation bought a lot on Wylie Street and applied to the Methodist church of America for a charter. The first church building that housed Wylie Memorial was constructed soon after the charter was received.
During its early years, Wylie Memorial Methodist Church was known as Union Methodist, and it had the distinction of being the first church established for blacks in Reynoldstown. For several of its years, other congregations and people of other denominations worshipped at Wylie Memorial. In addition, several Reynoldstown-Edgewood mutual aid and benevolence societies, chapters of various lodges and secret orders, and Parker’s Cemetery association were organized on the site of Wylie Memorial. Later, the church also housed a neighborhood school.
In 1925, the original church building burned and from 1925 until 1931, the congregation met in a club building owned by the “Rounders” of Reynoldstown. The rebuilding of the church began in 1931 and in 1932, the new structure was completed and dedicated. Among those present at the dedication were Church officers Henry P. Jones (Ella Ingram, Jacqueline Robinson, and Priscilla Jones’ father), T.F. Snow (Grace Hammonds’ uncle), and James Gantt (Frances Gantt’s father-in-law). Also present was Bishop F. D. Kenny. Wylie Memorial continued to serve Reynoldstown and Edgewood until the merger with Kings Temple in 1958.
During Wylie Memorial’s long illustrious history, it has on many occasions, outstanding guest preachers to preach from its pulpit; men such as Bishop John W. E. Bowen, Sr. (once Vice President at Gammon Theological Seminary) and Bishop Wilbur Thirkield (former President of Gammon Theological Seminary). In addition, Wylie Memorial was served by talented and dedicated pastors such as Reverends George W. Lewis, M. M. Alston, Robert Adams, Edward Petty, J. R. Bridges, J. W. Bolden, James Mathis, S. B. Buford, J. W. Amey, L.W. Strickland, William Gordon, P.H. Travis, W.R. Wyatt, J. C. Rucker, C. H. Adams, W. Won Schults, and A. C. Cobb.