Southeast Church History
By Gloria Walker

Oh What A Wonderful, Wonderful Day, a Day We Will Never Forget! No, we will never forget that day in May 1974 when Southeast was "Organized to Evangelize".

Our Conference President, Dr. Harold L. Cleveland with his keen foresight for a church on Cleveland's southeast side and under the Divine Guidance of the Holy Spirit, set up the Southeast Church. President Cleveland also sent a very capable and able-bodied young pastor, Elder King S. Smallwood, to "steer" this endeavor. Yes, there were exactly five people that we asked to come to Southeast, Elder Smallwood, his wife, Jacqueline and their three children, Kristal, King Jr., and Krassandra. On that first Sabbath at St. Paul Church, a total of 119 membership applications were received. But before our official day of organization in June, a total of 166 Charter members were constituted.

The following history was written and read on our Organization Day at St. Paul Church.

What a blessing to be at Southeast this afternoon,
Not because we're the owners but seekers having found a new home.
The need was seen some years ago under the pastorate of Elder Brooks.
Such a need that he decided into the matter he would look.
For a church convenient, much closer to home.
For members who traveled a distance unknown.
But it didn't develop nor materialize
For everyone just could not realize
That the need was so great or desired so much
Soon the idea was tabled, later given up.
But it wasn't forgotten, just tucked back and away
For we knew that eventually we'd see the day
When we too could arrive in a few minutes to worship
Without traveling so long and thinking it a hardship.
And the man to carry through wit the pre-conceived plan.
Was our Pastor and President, Dr. H.L. Cleveland.
He was prayerful and careful in selecting a site,
For God's people to serve Him and take others the light
To a section of upper and middle-class men
Who are trudging in darkness, walking in sin.
They too will accept Christ and live by His Book,
If we're seen as examples and to Jesus we look.
So Charter Members and Pastor K.S. Smallwood,
We've attained a real goal being in this neighborhood.
For we'll stay here and work and win many souls
Then Southeast can't contain that number unfold.
We'll soon have to move another location
And the next will be ours for we'll lay the foundation
Brick upon brick, we'll soon build our own.
And history will know this as our temporary home.

After the Building Committee had inquired of several church buildings and found none desirable, the decision to build the first black Adventist Church in Cleveland was voted by the majority of the members June, 1975. The site was selected at the corner of Tarkington and Lee Road.

The Lord continued to lead Pastor Smallwood and he saw he saw the need for a larger building to worship in. Already we were beginning to outgrow St. Paul Methodist Church with more members transferring from our mother and sister churches and a future tent effort was in sight for the summer. This prompted our next move to the Aldersgate United Methodist Church.

Our first tent effort was held on the site where the building is now erected. With Pastor Smallwood's dynamic preaching, the choir's and guest soloists soul-stirring music, and with much prayer, a total of 60 souls were won for Christ.

The Pastor and officers were still inconvenienced with the stress and strain of carting supplies and materials from home to church and home again because we were not in our own building. However, Aldersgate and its membership made us as welcome as possible by providing as much storage space for us as possible. For this we are grateful. The need for more sacrificial giving in Stewardship was quite evident and emphasized by Pastor Smallwood. Allegheny West Conference assured us that they were prepared to assist us when our required goal was obtained. Southeast members pledged commitments and covenants, and an additional amount was to be given by each member for our second anniversary. Our second tent effort was located on East 116th and Corlett Avenue. The Lord blessed us with 29 souls.

With continued sacrifices and emphasis on the urgency of obtaining our own edifice, progress was being made financially and the day of Groundbreaking was January 9, 1977. With the architect readying plans for us, information was included in the amount of $75,000. As a result of our church business meeting with the conference building committee, financial approval for our building by the General Conference, Union, Local Conference, the City and the Bank was confirmed. The total amount of our proposed construction was $400,000.

Pastor Smallwood introduced a program of investment where interest would be paid for monies invested by members. Families and friends of members were also encouraged to invest.

In February 1978, news of Pastor Smallwood's leaving to assume the position of Conference Secretary was announced to us and we were filled with mixed emotions. We were glad for his successful achievement and appointment to the Conference Administration, but we were sorry to lose our devoted pastor and his family. Elder Henry Wright agreed to serve as our interim pastor from March thru June and he also demonstrated a real love and devotion for Southeast. He commuted from Columbus to Cleveland while pasturing us and he was also attending school. This was most certainly an act of love. We were truly thankful and blessed by his ministry in his messages of inspiration, newly formed bible classes and the introduction of new programs for missionary zeal.

Our original pastor, Elder Smallwood was returned to us briefly as interim pastor after Elder Wright's departure. Elder Willie Lewis assisted Pastor Smallwood and we were grateful to them both.

Our next appointed pastor was welcomed on September 16, 1978 in the person of Elder Gerald Penick. He and his family, Linda, his wife and sons, Jerry and Eric again demonstrated love for Southeast by moving all the way from St. Louis, Missouri to be with us.

Yes, our diligent President Elder Cleveland and his committee certainly know what Southeast needs and the Lord doesn't fail to grant these needs through them. Elder Penick and his family is truly a blessing to Southeast, an air of happiness and friendliness is felt by all because of their presence here. Elder Penick thrust himself into finalizing our building project with eagerness and enthusiasm and it seems as if he'd been an ardent and involved worker here at Southeast much longer than the ten months he had been with us.

Truly, God has blessed Southeast with these men of God and we must also recognize our hard working preserving and painstaking building committee under the chairmanship of Bro. C.E. Robinson. To the Allegheny West Conference, pastors, officers, members, friends and well-wishers we say, "With God, all things are possible, and To God Be the Glory."