Our Church

Our Pastors

Rev. Charles Roy Jones (1917-1936)

Rev. Dr. B. Robert Lawson (1936-1965)

Rev. Sterling E. Glover (1966-2006)

Rev. Dr. David A. Cobb Jr. (2007-Present)

We've Come a Long Way

On January 1, 1916, Christ gave birth to a church—the 2nd Emmanuel Baptist Church in the home of Mr. Herbert Taylor. Reverend Charles Roy Jones was the founding pastor. The church met from home-to- home and later in a store front at 24th and Central Avenue. In 1917, the church moved to its present site 7901 Quincy Avenue. Reverend Jones served as pastor for 19½ years.

This period included 12 years of economic prosperity and 6 years of depression. Spiritually we progressed and the membership of the church increased to about 700. In 1935, Reverend Jones was called to pastor the Holy Trinity Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Reverend Ernest W. Stevens served as interim pastor until 1936. Dr. B. Robert Lawson was called to become pastor of Emmanuel in 1936. His initial message was “BEHOLD I SET BEFORE YOU AN OPEN DOOR” and his theme was “THE LURE OF THE UNKNOWN.” During the first three years of his administration, the church indebtedness was decreased.

Disaster struck February, 1939. The church was completely destroyed by fire. The pastor’s vision was to rebuild on the present site. Many members remained loyal and responsive to the pastor’s vision, but many members had left. For 2½ years we worshipped in four different churches. In September, 1940 the ground breaking ceremony was held, the cornerstone was laid; and in October of 1941, we moved into the first unit of the unfinished structure. The membership was now 400. The name 2nd Emmanuel was changed to Emmanuel. The sanctuary was completed and on Easter Sunday, 1949 we assembled together to dedicate our edifice to the worship of almighty God. This was the first Negro Baptist Church in Cleveland to be built and completed (by the men of Emmanuel). In a period of two years, pews and an organ were purchased, and a new heating plant installed. We continued to progress spiritually and financially.

In 1953, our kitchen was redecorated. In 1957, an educational unit was completed consisting of class rooms, assembly rooms, and an office for the pastor and for the secretary. Our Men’s Day goal for 1962 was $3,000.00 to purchase carpet for the main sanctuary. Our goal was met and we purchased the carpet. There had been a constant growth of the church under the leadership of our beloved pastor, Rev. B. Robert Lawson until his sudden passing in March 1965. Again, Reverend Stevens became our interim pastor and served faithfully, retaining the church’s dignity, respect of the community and membership. In January, 1966 Reverend Sterling E. Glover of Scotch Plains, New Jersey was called to the pastorate of the Emmanuel Baptist Church. His message: “Teamwork at the Top” (John 17:20-32) and his main idea: “God’s work is top priority and requires a coordinated effort on the part of every member in order to fulfill the message and mission of Jesus Christ.”

Rev. Glover served Emmanuel faithfully for over forty (40) years preaching and teaching to all that would listen. On September 24, 2006, Rev. Glover preached his final sermon as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church. On September 30, 2006, a retirement luncheon was held in his honor at Executive Caterer’s at The Lander haven. The theme was “A Celebration of Seasons Past.” Under Rev. Glover’s pastorate a hot meals program was initiated as well as Shoes and Clothes for Kids and SOS (Strengthening Our Students) under the direction of our own Dr. Wanda Jean Green and Deacon Ollie Scott.

In January 2007, the Rev. Dr. David A. Cobb, Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia was called to the pastorate of the Emmanuel Baptist Church. He preached his first sermon on March 4, 2007. The first statement to his new congregation was “We are going to put God first.” His sermon was titled “When God Calls You Have to Answer” (Genesis 12:1-4). He came to us with his lovely wife Tracey and son, Little David. The family has grown with the birth of their daughter, Little Tiffany. Under his leadership many events and conferences were initiated. To mention just a few: The Annual Back-to- School Block Party which is now a City Wide HELP FAIR, EBC Summer Camp, Rededication & Consecration Month , Annual Youth Explosion, and Ministry Boot Camp. Also he is a Board Member of the United Pastors in Mission, NEOFBC, MOTTEP, and he is a Spokesman and Board Advisor for Life Banc and (SOS) Strengthening Our Students. He serves on the Advisory Group on Law Enforcement Training appointed by the Ohio Attorney General.

Dr. Cobb has been with us for ten (10) years. He has been preaching the word of God every Sunday. He has asked that Emmanuel show love toward each other. Colossians 3:14 says “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness”—in other words, “Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Rev. Cobb, we are thankful that God sent you our way and we pray that God will continue to bless and keep you in His care.