Antioch Baptist Church celebrates 130 years
of excellence in ministry and community outreach.
It all started with humble beginnings.
In the early 1890s, Southern blacks were migrating North seeking a better way of life, and many settled in Cleveland, Ohio. Finding that only one Black Baptist church was needed to serve their spiritual needs, it became obvious that a second Baptist church was needed. After several prayer meetings, a group of 29 men and women from Shiloh Baptist Church obtained Letters of Dismissal and organized the new church: Antioch Baptist Church was born. The new church held its first formal worship service on January 12, 1893, in the home of Mr. Henry Myers, 10 Laurel Street (now around Cuyahoga Community College), and Reverend D. D. Minor, a student at Oberlin College, became the first pastor. The first permanent home was in a remodeled frame house at Central Avenue and Sked Street (presently the location of the Cedar-Central Housing Projects), dedicated on the second Sunday in July 1893.
The new church building of Antioch Baptist Church in 1932, located at 8869 Cedar Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio
Antioch Baptist Church joins together in a Sunday worship service in its current building (circa 1940).
The Antioch congregation gathers outside after the final morning worship service at this location (circa 1934).
Becoming Cleveland’s largest Black church.
Several well-qualified ministers served as pastors of the ever-growing church, including Reverends Alexander Moore, F. B. Brookins, Horace C. Bailey, and Mack T. Williams. Under Rev. Moore’s pastorate, Antioch’s status changed from an independent Baptist church to a Missionary Baptist church. Church membership grew during the pastorate of Rev. Mack T. William, and a 14-room house and two lots at East 85th Street and Cedar Avenue were purchased. The plans were to build a church on the site, although Rev. Williams’ dream of finding a new church home was not realized due to his resignation in 1926. However, he is credited with starting the movement that finally culminated in the relocation of Antioch to its present location at East 89th Street and Cedar Avenue.
Most notable during Rev. Bailey’s tenure was his effort to enlist the support of John D. Rockefeller, Sr., who agreed to contribute $1.00 for every dollar the members raised to raise sufficient funds to erect a permanent church building. By 1905, an imposing structure was erected at Central Avenue and East 24th Street for $16,000. In a relatively short time, church membership increased to approximately 1,200 members. Rev. Bailey also encouraged several young people to serve as African missionaries: Anita Bolden Fitch, Anna Marie Morris Waite, and Xernna Brown Wilson. The Sunday School was organized in 1893, at the same time as the church, and there were classes for every age group from Cradle Roll to adults–reaching absentees and the children who had no Sunday School connection. By 1945, Sunday school enrollment had increased to over 700 persons. During this time, Daily Vacation Bible School was organized at Antioch, with enrollment reaching more than 155 children from the church and community.
The church has always enjoyed various kinds of music. The Senior Choir was organized in 1893. Its emphasis was mainly on singing the great hymns of the church and anthems of the masters. The Young People’s Choir dates to 1923. Antioch Chorus, organized in 1928, specialized in gospel hymns and spirituals. While this tradition has continued, traditional gospel and variations of contemporary music enlarged their repertoire under the direction of Mrs. Helen Turner-Thompson.
One of the most viable organizations of the young church was the Antioch Missionary Society which was organized in 1901. Its purpose was to unite all church women in a fellowship that would encourage personal development and a commitment to the church's work through worship, work, and witness for Jesus Christ. To train our youth in the field of missions, the Sunshine Band, Good News Club, and Guild Girls organizations were sponsored by the Mission Society. The society consisted of 19 circles, with the Delaney Circle, organized in 1935, as the oldest.
Rev. Wade Hampton McKinney, circa 1950.
Worship service at Antioch Baptist Church, circa 1955
Antioch congregation leaving Sunday worship service, circa 1960
Four decades of growth and community outreach.
Following the resignation of Rev. Williams, another giant appeared on the scene. No one could foresee the impact that the next pastor of Antioch would have on the church nor the legacy that the family would leave. Leaving a pastorate in Flint, Michigan, the Reverend Wade Hampton McKinney was installed as pastor of Antioch on July 12, 1928. With him came his gracious wife, Mrs. Ruth Berry McKinney, and their two sons, Wade Hampton, Jr. and Samuel Berry, and his sister-in-law, Ms. Ada Berry. Twin daughters, Mary Louise and Virginia Ruth, were born later into this dynamic family. Rev. McKinney, a graduate of Morehouse College, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1949 by the college. He was a graduate of Colgate-Rochester Divinity School.
Rev. McKinney guided the membership through the Depression and World War II. During this time, the membership grew from 841 to 2,800 persons. Under his leadership, the church moved to its present location, formerly the Bolton Avenue Presbyterian Church. The building was purchased for $38,850. A dedication service was held on November 11, 1934. The congregation raised over $33,000 to clear the church of its mortgage in approximately six years.
The McKinney years brought about many innovations. As the membership grew (over 3,000), an early morning worship service followed by the coffee hour was instituted to accommodate those who preferred an earlier service or who otherwise could not attend the 11 o’clock service. The McKinney and Berry families worked as a team. Their contributions cannot, and should not, be overlooked. Ms. Ada Berry organized Junior Church with an emphasis on the spiritual growth of our young people. They were trained for leadership roles in the church and imbued with reverence for God’s house, Christian stewardship, and church attendance. She also organized the Sunshine Band for children between six and 12 years old. In 1937, a Boy Scouts troop was formed, and a Girl Scouts troop was started in 1938.
Mrs. McKinney organized and directed the Young People’s Choir, taught Sunday School, and directed several plays. She was also very active in the Mission Society, served as president of the Greater Cleveland Council of American Baptist Women, and was on the Executive Board of Church Women United and the Women’s Department of the Baptist World Alliance committee. In 1942, the church's basement was remodeled and made into a lower auditorium with a seating capacity of about 600.
As the physical church expanded, Rev. McKinney also insisted on spiritual growth. He never forgot the church’s main purpose – evangelism. There were revivals, every-member canvasses, and spiritual emphasis services where members renewed the depths of their spiritual lives. On the first Sunday of the month, deacons carried communion to the sick and shut-in members. Visitation of the entire membership was done in the spring and fall of the year
Seeing the need to improve the economic plight of veterans returning from service in World War II, the Antioch Credit Union was started in 1947 under the Veterans’ Bible Class sponsorship with 82 shareholders and a whopping sum of $174.00.
As the membership continued to grow, so did the Sunday School. Under the leadership of Mr. C. A. Lee, five adult classes were organized—including the Beehive, Concordia, Dorcas, Fidelis, and Veterans. It was soon apparent that more classrooms were needed. The construction of an educational building was begun to house Sunday School classrooms on three levels, a nursery, and a daycare center. The completed structure was dedicated on April 26, 1959. The building was named the McKinney Youth Center in honor of Rev. McKinney. During this time, the population of the Cleveland public schools grew, and the McKinney Youth Center was used to house the overflow classes of Bolton Elementary School. Also, after-school activities were held for children in the area. During this time, the property was purchased on Cedar Avenue, which was later used as a parking lot.
Recognizing the importance of academic excellence, and encouraging young people to continue their education, all secondary school and college graduates were presented to the church during the morning worship service in June of each year. The students were given a bible or a book of significance.
During the McKinney years, a succession of young men, known as the “Sons of Antioch,” served as assistants to the pastor or associate pastor. Some were students of Oberlin Theological Seminary who did their internship at Antioch. Many went on to pastor churches across the United States.
Rev. McKinney was not only a spiritual leader but a voice to be reckoned with in the secular community. He was appointed to the Mayor’s Committee by Mayor Frank Lausche, served on the Board of Managers of the Cedar YMCA, and was the first Negro to serve as foreman of the County Grand Jury. He continuously fought for social justice and the religious and personal rights of individuals, especially those of his congregation.
After serving Antioch for over 35 years, Rev. McKinney resigned as pastor and was pastor emeritus until his death on January 18, 1963. The McKinney and Berry families left an indelible ‘footprint on the sands of time’ at Antioch Baptist Church.
Organizations started during the McKinney era were the Silver Leaf Club which was organized in 1930 to promote Christian fellowship among members, to enlist in active service those who were not identified with some auxiliary, and to minister to the unfortunate; the Gleaners was organized in 1941 to help new members get acquainted with Antioch, assist the needy and to promote the financial and spiritual welfare of the church; Women’s Day observance started in 1932 when women were in complete charge of all activities during worship service. The women raised funds to support various projects of the church.
Following the pastorate of Rev. McKinney, the Reverend Kelly Miller Smith of the First Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, was called to serve as pastor. His tenure was brief, serving only from July to November 1963. He resigned to return to Nashville to complete unfinished commitments.
The McKinney Youth Center, opened and dedicated in 1959
Reverend Emanuel Sylvestre Branch, Jr. and his family, circa 1965
K.C. Jones and Wesley Toles of the Cleveland Community Relations Board, 1960
Upon the resignation of the Reverend Kelley Miller Smith, Antioch was without a pastor for a period and was served by several supply ministers. Then in 1964, the Reverend Emanuel Sylvestre Branch, Jr. became the ninth pastor of Antioch. Rev. Branch had come to Cleveland in 1961 to serve as a staff member of the Church Federation in the Cleveland Area. He was a graduate of Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Divinity degree. Before coming to Cleveland, he was a social worker for the state of Connecticut and served as pastor of several churches in Connecticut. He and his wife, Gloria, were the parents of two daughters, Crystal Alice, and Colleen Ann.
From the beginning, it was evident that he was very concerned about the welfare of the community and the city. He immediately became actively involved in social programs in the Cleveland area. He served on several boards in the religious and secular communities. His wife, Gloria also was actively involved in community affairs. Rev. Branch received numerous citations and awards for his religious and civic activities.
One of the first outreach programs initiated by Rev. Branch was the Antioch Day Care Center. The center was started in 1966 to fill a need for economically- deprived children and their families by providing daycare primarily for children of ADC mothers. Corrine Ector was the first head teacher.
In 1968 after the Hough riots, when several black neighborhoods were destroyed, Antioch provided equity money for the Kenmore-Randalls Estates built in the Hough area. The Antioch Credit Union building was dedicated on November 19, 1968. Antioch Towers, a high-rise apartment complex at East 89th and Carnegie Avenue, was built in cooperation with Forest City Enterprises and Cleveland Clinic and was dedicated in 1975.
Throughout the years, Antioch continued to carry on the tradition of service to God, church, and community. Under Rev. Branch’s leadership, many organizations were formed, and many programs were instituted. They were the Layman Fellowship, Fifty Plus Club (1970), Usher Board II (1976), the Yokefellow program, which provided orientation for new members. Family Thanksgiving Dinner was started in 1981; Lenten Services (1976) provided an opportunity for laypersons to witness for Christ and to promote Christian fellowship among the Antioch Family. The McKinney Memorial Library, dedicated on January 20, 1974, fulfilled a dream of the McKinneys; the Antioch Speaks newsletter was issued each week to inform members of activities and events of interest relating to the church; Orita for Black Youth, a year-long program that trained young people for Christian adulthood, began in 1977 and held its first formal Ceremony October 8, 1978. Also, in 1978 Antioch launched the Educational Incentive Awards program by awarding financial assistance to thirteen students.
During this era, the Baptist Youth Fellowship, whose emphasis was on training, evangelism, and foreign missions, grew in numbers and flourished. The BYF was an outgrowth of the Youth and Young Adult Fellowships and was led by the Reverend Harry B. Parrott, Jr., associate minister of Antioch, assisted by Willie and Linda Nichols.
In 1975, the Romanesque-style building known as Antioch Baptist Church was designated as a Historical Landmark. In 1983, Antioch held various activities to observe its 90th Anniversary. Reunion weekend activities were held in a huge tent in the 89th Street parking lot. It was a joyous occasion, with many former members returning to celebrate.
On December 23, 1983, Reverend Emanuel S. Branch, Jr. expired after a lengthy illness, a sad climax to the 90th Anniversary celebration. After the death of Rev. Branch, the Reverend Jeremiah Pryce, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, served as interim pastor for a time.
The Legacy of Rev. Dr. Marvin A. McMickle
Carrying on the tradition of this historic institution, and yet with the vision to provide the leadership that would guide us into the 21st Century, another well-prepared leader was installed as the pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, namely the Reverend Dr. Marvin A. McMickle, Ph.D. A native of Chicago, Illinois, he and his wife, Peggy came to Cleveland with their son, Aaron in 1987.
Rev. McMickle had served as pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey, and Associate Pastor of The Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City. This teacher, pastor, and leader continued a long line of well-educated leaders that have served Antioch. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Aurora College, Aurora, Illinois, a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary, New York City, a Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, and a Doctorate in Philosophy from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Upon coming to Cleveland, he immediately became involved in various religious and civic organizations. No one could imagine this dynamic leader's impact on the Greater Cleveland area. He was elected president of the local NAACP and the Shaker Heights School Board. He served on various boards, including the Greater Cleveland Roundtable, United Pastors in Mission, the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, Gateway Economic Development Committee, and United Way Services of Greater Cleveland. In 1998, he was a candidate for the United States Congress, and in 2000 he ran for the United States Senate. Although he did not win either race, he gained national attention. He often spoke out on issues that affect people locally and nationally. In 2001, he was honored as Cleveland Black Professional of the Year by the Black Professionals Association. He taught Homiletics at Ashland Theological Seminary. Upon his 15th anniversary as pastor of Antioch, a scholarship was established in his name.
As pastor of Antioch, Rev. McMickle proved to be a forward-thinking leader. He saw the need to expand the role of women in church leadership. In 1988 Tonya Fields became Antioch's first woman ordained to the ministry; during the 1990s, five women were ordained as deacons. They were Dorothy Rambo, Pamela Ashby, Delores Brown, Vivian Hairston, and Sandra Fain. Rev. Mylion Waite, Rev. Gloria Chaney-Robinson, and Min. Audrey Fountain were chosen to serve as associates and ministry leaders.
To commemorate the church’s 100th anniversary, a year-long celebration was held at the Executive Caterers at Landerhaven, Mayfield Heights, Ohio. The celebration included ministers from various churches, “Sons of Antioch”, and other outstanding church leaders. Highlights of the celebration were the anniversary luncheon featuring Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, pastor of the United Church of Christ, Chicago, Illinois, as a speaker and a concert featuring Martina Arroyo and the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble at the Ohio Theater on Playhouse Square.
On February 29, 2004, a special program was held at the Intercontinental Hotel. It was a ‘family reunion’ for the entire church and honored the “Pillars of the Church,” members of Antioch who received the Right Hand of Fellowship over 50 years ago. Four members were honored as the oldest active members. They were Mary Archie, Carl L. Morgan, Selmer Prewitt, and Anna L. Smith.
Outreach programs started during the McMickle pastorate: Adopt-A-School — Members volunteered as tutors, aids, and helpers in the Cleveland Public Schools; Loaves and Fishes Hunger Program — Provides meals weekly for the hungry in and around the area; Alcoholic Anonymous programs — Antioch provides meeting space for three units of Alcoholic Anonymous; AGAPE Program — Antioch became the first African American church to play a significant role in the fight against AIDS by instituting the AGAPE program to test, educate and support those affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS; Prison Fellowship Ministry — This ministry reaches out to those who are incarcerated by visiting prisons, participating in worship service with inmates, and providing Christmas gifts for children of incarcerated parents through Project Angel Tree; Antioch Development Corporation —a nonprofit 501(c)3 community development corporation was formed to accelerate the creation, implementation, and expansion of future outreach programs by the church; Genesis Program — Originally named Project Respect, was a training and employment services program to help needy city residents gain the needed skills to become gainfully employed; S.A.M.M. Project — Stopping AIDS is My Mission, trained 9th through 12th graders in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District in HIV prevention. Since 2005, the SAMM Project trained over 3,000 students in HIV prevention.; Empowering Our Sisters — Enlisted area African American beauty salons to provide HIV prevention education at the salon on an ongoing basis. Our AGAPE staff trained each salon owner to provide education during everyday client conversations; Circle of Care Project — Enlisted area African American churches to provide HIV prevention education at their site on an ongoing basis; M.M.Y.F.A.M. — Molding Minority Youth through Faith and Mentoring, originally named B.R.I.D.G.E. the Gap, a year-round enrichment and mentoring program for at-risk, middle-school boys, was designed to include workshops, hands-on demonstrations, field trips, shadowing, mentor- matching, and career and character development training; Turning the Tide — This five-year education project was supported by the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, to strengthen Black marriages and families, through training married and to-be-married couples, in communication, problem-solving, conflict management and demonstrating a commitment to their spouse.
Other Programs and Ministries initiated during the McMickle Pastorate included a worship and arts department with a cherub Choir, a children’s choir directed initially by Shirley Lawrence and later by Lillian Reynolds; the Adult Ensemble, organized in 1987; Young People’s Choir, later known as Voices of Praise, organized in 1992; Male Chorus, reorganized in 1995; Drama and Choral Reading Ministry, organized in 1997; Antioch Communications Ministry, beginning in 2000 and was charged to publish a monthly newsletter, create a visitor brochure and redesign the Sunday bulletin; The Flame Team, organized in 2003 as a small group of singers who provided uplifting songs at the beginning of worship service to set the tone for worship; Praise in Motion, organized in 2003 as a Liturgical Dance Ministry; Antioch Ringers, a Hand Bell Choir organized in 2005; Chairō! Praise Singers, organized in 2005 as an ensemble group who originally sang primarily for Saturday Joy Night worship service; Hour of Power Praise Team, organized in 2005, were singers who sang mainly for the Sunday Hour of Power worship service, was discontinued.
Additional programs and ministries begun during the McMickle era were: African American-Jewish MLK celebration with Antioch and Temple Emanu El; Antioch HEART for God Singles Ministry; Audio & Video Ministry; Bible Study groups for Children and Youth; Black Film Festival; Christian Bowlers; Women’s Golf Ministry; Greeters Ministry; Hallo-lujah Festival; Hospitality Ministry; Monday Night Book Club; Monthly Birthday Celebrations; Open Door Fellowship Prison Ministry; Puppet Ministry; Radio and Television Broadcasts; Senior Ministry; Youth Church; Youth Drill Team Some of the programs started under Rev. McMickle were discontinued for various reasons.
In 2000, led by Min. Kelvin Berry, the church embarked upon a reconstruction and building program known as the Nehemiah Project. The intent was to raise funds to refurbish the sanctuary and build additional buildings to provide space for its ever-increasing ministries. Members were asked to contribute above and beyond their regular tithes and offerings. As a result of the $1,500,000 funds raised, the Lower Auditorium was remodeled and named Branch Hall in honor of the late Rev. Emanuel Branch; the Chapel was refocused and refurnished; the pastor’s office was expanded, and the church offices were moved to the McKinney Building; the building next door was purchased, and the parking lot was expanded; the Women’s Lounge was completely remodeled; fundraising was discontinued in 2004.
Looking to the future of Antioch and its ministries, Rev. McMickle recommended the book, The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren, to Geraldine Burns, chairperson of the Board of Christian Education, to create a Purpose Statement for Antioch. With the assistance of Saundra Berry, the following statement was adopted: Teach the Word, provide Outreach ministries, Worship God, Evangelize, and build strong church family Relationships.
Beginning in September 2004, the members participated in a Forty Days of Purpose program. Small groups began meeting weekly to study the book, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Following the completion of the 40 Days, a weekend Retreat was held at the Bertram Inn in Aurora, Ohio, on December 11 and 12, 2004. Sunday worship service was held away from the Church building for the first time. The service included a Cantata, Born to Die by Glenn Burleigh, performed by the Antioch Mass Choir and the Choral Reading Ministry. The members returned from the Retreat with a renewed spirit and a renewed focus on the church.
With the ever-increasing need to maintain the church building, an Endowment Fund was established in 2003. The premise was to encourage members and friends to create a legacy in honor of a love-one. Funds raised would be used to keep God’s house in good condition. The Tree of Life plaque was installed in the East 89th Street foyer to recognize donors and was dedicated on November 6, 2005. The first donor was in honor of the late Ardelia Bradley Dixon.
The Paver Project was begun in 2005 1) to fund significant capital improvements to the interior of the church, 2) to publicly recognize the contributions of past and present members and friends, and 3) to provide an opportunity to acknowledge vendors and companies with whom the church had enjoyed a lasting business relationship. Paving stones honoring contributors were installed at each entrance to the church and along the sidewalks surrounding the building. In 2007, a projection system was installed throughout the building.
Early in 2011, Rev. McMickle tendered his resignation, effective December 31, 2011, to accept the presidency of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. This published author, eloquent speaker, learned teacher, dynamic preacher, civic leader, visionary, and, most of all, a loving husband and father, served Antioch for 24 years. A farewell celebration was held at the Executive Caterers at Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights, Ohio to honor his years of service to Antioch and the greater Cleveland Community.
A Pastoral Search and Transition
Immediately after Rev. McMickle announced his resignation, a Pastoral Search Committee was formed. Deacon Anthony Lockhart served as chair. Sixteen months later, and after reviewing more than 240 applications, the invitation was extended to the Rev. Dr. Todd C. Davidson of Virginia Beach, Virginia, to become the eleventh pastor of Antioch, effective September 1, 2012. Rev. Davidson came to Antioch and the greater Cleveland area with his wife, Laia, and three daughters, Cana, Keaiah, and Ajah. Rev. Davidson’s parents, Mr. Calvert and Mrs. Doris Davidson, later relocated to the Cleveland area. With renewed energy and a focus on the future, the members of Antioch began to eagerly embrace the vision of Rev. Davidson as he endeavors to fulfill God’s purpose for His church-Antioch. Soon one could see a renewed spirit and an increase in membership. He began encouraging Antioch to become a one hundred percent tithing church so God’s work could continue through its many ministries. Rev. Davidson tendered his resignation in May 2020, shortly after the pandemic shutdown order had been put in place.
The Antioch of Today
Weathering unprecedented times, the Antioch congregation came together like never before to continue its ministry and service in the best ways possible. Under the leadership of Deacon Chair Pamela Ashby, the deacons stepped forward to bring worship to members of Antioch. The Trustees and other ministry leaders found innovative ways to continue to worship and gather with one another throughout the throes of the COVID-19 lockdown. In addition, Rev. McMickle agreed to serve as interim pastor for these two years as the church began another search committee for its next senior pastor.
After a national search, Antioch prayerfully called the Rev. Dr. Napoleon J. Harris V as its next senior pastor, becoming only the 12th senior pastor in the church’s 130-year history. Pastor Harris, a Cleveland native, began this new call on August 1, 2022, moving from a congregation in Nashville, Tennessee. Joining Pastor Harris are his wife, First Lady Sherma Harris, and his two young daughters. Pastor Harris was installed on October 7, 2022, with a three-day homecoming weekend to celebrate this blessed and exciting occasion.
With special thanks to Geraldine Evans.
