As a result of the vision of a few people coming together to worship in the home of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Kirkwood in early December 1924. With the perpetual determination on the part of our members and with God as the author of our faith, we humbly stand today enjoying the fruits that our revered founders and other reliable members so beautifully planted years ago.
Over the past 94 years, Kirkwood has been blessed with 30 pastors who possessed a multitude of immeasurable talents and insight. Only three of Kirkwood’s pastors served more than five years. Rev. V. T. Thompson was our pastor for 13 years. Rev. Darryl H. Coleman served us 12 years. And, Pastor Christian who has lead our Temple for 24 wonderful years. Kirkwood has been blessed to work under the guidance of 22 Presiding Elders, including our current Presiding Elder, the Rev. Dr. Willie C. Champion and Eleven Bishops including our Presiding Prelate, Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III
Since its inception, Kirkwood Temple CME Church has been housed in five locations, 1) Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Kirkwood’s home, 2) the first house of worship constructed under Rev. Moses Johnson’s pastorate, 3) under the pastorate of Rev. D.L. Gardener, the church erected the facility located at 2301 Jordan Street. Later, under the leadership of Rev. J.B. Bullock an annex was added to this structure, 4) the 2300 Metropolitan Avenue property was acquired under the leadership of Rev. N .B. Stewart and was later remodeled in 1963 under the pastorate of Rev. V.T. Thompson. In July of 1975 the late Bishop W. Edward Lockett was sent to lead the Temple. Under his outstanding leadership, the church purchased its second parsonage, several pieces of property, and paid off many debts. The mortgage was burned and a major renovation project was undertaken during the pastorate of Rev. D.H. Coleman, 5) our current edifice at 1440 Sunny Glen Drive in which we’ve been since June 2001. The relocation to the property that we now so gratefully occupy was the brainchild of our visionary and dynamic pastor, Rev. Dr. Jerry Christian, Sr. To God be the Glory!
The first Stewards and Trustees were Brothers F. W. Kirkwood, Ben McGowan and Isaac Jackson. The first Sunday School Superintendent was Brother Ben McGowan. The first Missionary Society President was Sister M. E. Kirkwood.
Kirkwood has been known for its superb music ministry, its friendliness toward humankind, the manner in which the clergy and members praise God during worship service, its dedication to and involvement in worthwhile ministries (both internally and externally), its support of the pastors in charge, and its responsiveness to the programs of our Presiding Elders and Bishops.
Since the arrival of Pastor Christian in August 1994, our Discipleship and Outreach ministries have soared mainly because of his visionary leadership style, and constant encouragement to the members to do the Lord’s work continuously and with genuine enthusiasm. Kirkwood now has over 25 thriving ministries ranging from our involvement in our Prayer Ministry, One Church One School, the Jubilee Emergency Aid, Senior and Home Alone Ministries, Grief and Recovery Ministry (NA, Domestic Violence, Widow and Widower, AA) Health and Wellness, transportation ministry and many more!
As you can see, the Kirkwood Temple CME Church has a very rich successful history. Our prayer is for God to continue to shower us with His blessings, so that we can continue to work in His vineyard forever and ever through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Bishops
Bishop Joseph C. Martin
Bishop John W. McKinney
Bishop Randall A. Carter
Bishop Henry P. Porter
Bishop Bertram W. Doyle
Bishop Norris S. Curry
Bishop Caesar D. Coleman
Bishop Marshall Gilmore
Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham
Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.
Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III
Charter Members
Mrs. M.E. Kirkwood
Mrs. Josephine Barnes
Mrs. Willie Mae Banks
Mrs. Anna Patton
Mrs. Ethel Patton
Presiding Elders
Rev. G. H. Harlee, Sr.
Rev. A. F. Johnson
Rev. N. W. Clark
Rev. E. P. Murchinson
Rev. J. M. Fountain
Rev. R. J. Rucker
Rev. I. B. Brooks
Rev. M. T. McKinney
Rev. J. E. Raines
Rev. G. A. Simpson
Rev. J. B. Bullock
Rev. J. L. Enox
Rev. George Patterson
Rev. J. B. Bullock
Rev. L. Rucker
Rev. J. B. Bullock
Rev. J. C. Darden
Rev. W. A. Price
Rev. J. C. Darden
Rev. W. A. Schultz
Rev. Ernest. F. Williams
Rev. Dr. Willie. C. Champion
Rev. Russell O. Fulller, Sr.
Pastors and Dates Served
Rev. A. G. Smith 12/24 – 04/25
Rev. S. Radford 04/25 – 05/25
Rev. G. H. Harlee 05/25 – 11/27
Rev. D. M. Sales 11/27 – 11/29
Rev. J. B. Lewis 11/29 – 11/30
Rev. Moses Johnson 11/30 – 11/31
Rev. W. J. Johnson 11/31 – 07/32
Rev. E. J. Johnson 07/32 – 08/32
Rev. J. W. Hendrix 08/32 – 11/32
Rev. L. Allen 11/33
Rev. E. J. Johnson 11/34
Rev. P. C. Smith 11/34 – 11/37
Rev. J. L. Enox 11/37 – 11/39
Rev. T. T. Gee 11/39 – 11/40
Rev. A. C. Jordan 09/41 – 11/41
Rev. T. T. Gee 11/41
Rev. D. L. Gardener 1941 –1944
Rev. J. B. Bullock 1944 – 1947
Rev. W. J. Johnson 1947 – 1948
Rev. R. R. Northcutt 1948 – 1951
Rev. R. C. Mask 1951 – 1955
Rev. C. R. Thomas 1955 – 1959
Rev. Napoleon B. Stewart 1959 –1962
Rev. Virgil T. Thompson 1962 – 1975
Rev. Wallace E. Lockett 07/75 – 1978
Rev. Edgar L. Wade 1978 – 11/81
Rev. W.A. Schultz 11/81 – 01/82
Rev. Dr. Daryll. H. Coleman 01/82 – 07/94
Rev. Dr. Willie. C. Champion 07/94 – 08/94
Rev. Dr. Jerry L. Christian, Sr. 08/94 – Present