In 1973, when the music minister of Circlewood Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa resigned, the church asked Winton Patterson to step in and lead worship until they found someone else. It made sense to him to say yes. He was working with the Veterans Administration at the time, but he loved music, and he loved the church.
“I started singing in quartets at 14 years of age,” said Patterson, who had been at Circlewood since his family moved to Tuscaloosa when he was 6. “That’s where I fell in love with music.”
He hadn’t intended to be a music minister in addition to his full-time job, but after about six months, everyone started to believe the arrangement should be permanent.
And 50 years later, Patterson is retiring from leading the Circlewood choir and congregation in singing every Sunday.
“It’s been a good journey,” he said. “I love the people here. They’ve always been good to me.”
His wife, Betty, said even though she felt strongly that God was calling her husband as minister of music in 1973, neither of them ever would’ve thought 50 years ahead.
“God used his talent from that young age. He had a plan for his life,” she said. “You don’t think in terms of longevity; it’s just a weekly ministry.”
Patterson said one of the keys to his 50 years at the church has been his time spent with God.
“I depend on my prayer life,” he said.
He said he also has “a really strong family that is supportive in everything I do.”
His son, Mark — who serves as worship pastor at North River Church in Tuscaloosa — said watching his dad love people well and faithfully serve the Circlewood congregation has inspired him in his ministry.
“He has taught me that you must love before you can lead,” said Mark Patterson, who has been serving at North River Church for 16 years, and whose son, Brown, also now serves on the worship team at Valley View Baptist Church.
“He has taught me that ministry is not about you and your talents but about your willingness to allow the Lord to use you in always pointing people toward Christ.”
Betty Patterson recalled when their daughter, Donna Cicero, came to her and said, “Mama, I want to make a difference in people’s lives like Daddy does.”
After nine years of directing the second grade show choir at Taylorville Primary School, Cicero joined Circlewood’s staff in 2011 as children’s minister.
In that role, one of her ministry outlets is leading the children’s chorus programs.
She said she has been inspired and challenged by her father’s “steadfastness and love of music, and really Daddy taught us a servant’s heart growing up.”
Serving out of sacrifice
“I am grateful for Daddy’s example,” Cicero said. “Daddy always taught us that you serve out of commitment, not convenience. We always serve the Lord out of our sacrifice, not just when it’s convenient.”
Winton Patterson’s son, Paul, who serves as judge of the Northport Municipal Court and is a member of Circlewood, said he wishes every young person could grow up in a loving home like the one his parents provided.
“My dad has always been the rock of our family and lived out his faith at home and church,” Paul Patterson said. “His ministry has been faithfully supported by my mom, and his legacy and ministry will continue to be felt for years to come.”
Cooperative spirit
Winton Patterson said in addition to his walk with God and his family’s support, something else that made it possible to stay at Circlewood for 50 years was his friendship with pastor Herb Thomas, who has been there almost as long as he has.
“We work so closely together — we’re very good friends and share things with each other,” Patterson said. “I think a close relationship with your pastor is one of the main keys of longevity as a music minister.”
Thomas agreed that the cooperative spirit of their friendship had been a bedrock of both of their long stays at the church.
“He’s also a great man of integrity and honesty; what he says, he does, and everyone loves him because of that,” he said, noting Patterson had adapted the music through the years as needed and grew a choir program that’s still strong today. “He’s very faithful and dependable and willing to work with everyone.”
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