Dr. Martha C. Taylor, Allen Temple Baptist Church HistorianMost tributes are written from the writer’s personal perspective of the deceased. Bernie, as she is fondly called, is an ordained minister having served at the Allen Temple Arms I and II. In 1971, Dr. Smith was elected senior pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church. Pastor Smith loved to pray; he knew his power and strength came from a deep prayer life with God. I don’t know anybody like him.”I believe we all share James Ella James thoughts and feelings about Dr Smith.