First Black Seventh-day Adventist in Cleveland, Ohio

Roots of Black Seventh-day Adventist in Cleveland

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void..."

Sis. Evelyn Boyd provided this brief outline tracing the roots of black Seventh-day Adventists in Cleveland, Ohio who's mother, Geneva Shipps, was a member of the first black church and Sis. Virginia Belcher whose parents were also members. Sis. Belcher's uncle, Theodore Slaughter, was a charter member.

The first black Seventh-Day Adventist in Cleveland, Ohio worshipped with the white brethren at the Hough Avenue Church near East 55th Street. In 1918, the 2nd Seventh-day Adventist Church (also referred to as the colored church) was organized with approximately 12 charter members. Included in this number were Clara Orton Wills Slaughter (mother of Theodore Slaughter and sister of J.W. Wills, Sr); Henry and Mami Brown; Mattie Bell Simmons (Eva Faye Lee's aunt); Eva Fay Lee (Stewart) Bro. Brooks; Bro. & Sis. Sylvester James, and W.T. Patterson (father of Sarah Patterson Lander). Sis. Geneva Shipps joined the church about two or three years after its organization after attending a camp meeting with her sister in Michigan.

The first black Seventh-day Adventist minister in Cleveland, Ohio was named Harry Rossin. The small congregation worshipped in a house located at 2564 East 46th Street.

The second and third pastors of the 46th Street church were Elders Bradford and J.E. Cox respectively. Under Elder Cox's leadership, a church building was purchased on East 71st and Cedar Avenue. The church retained the name 2nd SDA Church but was most often referred to as the Cedar Avenue Church. Sis. Boyd remembers that it was Bro. & Sis. James who provided funds for the purchase of the church by mortgaging their home. Bro. Brooks was another contributor as well as Virginia Belcher's uncle, Howard Slaughter, a nonmember.

Under Elder Cox's leadership the first church school for black Seventh-day Adventists was established around 1925, which was held in the basement of the church. Elder J. Gersham Dasent, who baptized Evelyn Boyd, followed Elder Cox and continued to build both church membership and the school. Later, when he received a call to Washington, Elder Cox returned as minister. In 1939 the church school he had started years before held its first and only 12th grade graduation. Among that group of seven graduates was Virginia Slaughter (Belcher), a charter member of Southeast now residing in Arizona. The class had the distinction of giving the school the name it bears today, "Ramah".

The fifth and last pastor of the 2nd SDA Church was J.H. Laurence. He was known for his stirring preaching of Bible prophecy and conducted regular radio broadcasts and evangelistic efforts. He won many souls to Christ and was dearly loved by the membership. One of the lay leaders of the church, W.C. Scales, Sr., was also an effective soul winner and led a number of Southeast members to the truth through Bible studies.

When the membership outgrew their Cedar Avenue facility, they purchased the present Glenville SDA Church located at 737 East 105th Street, Cleveland, Ohio. "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." By 1953 the congregation had tripled in size. The zeal and dedication of the church members resulted in tremendous missionary work at home and abroad. The Dorcas Federation, under the leadership of Sis. Shipps, was a generous supporter of Pine Forge Academy. Sis. Boyd remembers traveling to Pine Forge with her mother, by bus, carrying 100 mattress covers! The Federation also purchased a jeep and shipped it to Elder W.R. Robinson for use in his missionary work in Africa. The Akron and Oberlin churches were also strong supporters of the Federation.

Elder Laurence was followed by a succession of outstanding leaders at Glenville: Elders R. T. Hudson, W.R. Robinson, W.A. Starks, C.D. Brooks, A.N. Brogden, H.L. Cleveland, E.T. Mimms, etc. The church continued to grow its phenomenal growth, requiring additional churches throughout the city.

The formation of Bethel, Southeast, East Cleveland, Maranatha, Present Truth, Temple of Praise as well as those of surrounding areas is a testimony to the power of God's Word and personal witnessing. From the small group of 12 worshippers at East 46th Street came this might army of believers!