Our Story

Our History

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

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