On the 3rd Sunday in June 1965, after several prayer meetings at the home of Sister Nettie White and her mother, Sister Hattie King (400 West 152nd Street, Apt. 1E, New York, NY), several followers of Christ were inspired to combine their zeal for the Lord in organizing a new church. Davis consulted with Sister Nettie White regarding this movement and she was assured that it had his blessing and s
upport. Dr. Davis appointed interim ministers, Evangelist D. Irby and the Reverend Henry Segar to hold services until he could relinquish the pastorate of Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and assume full charge of the new church. The congregation grew in sufficient numbers to form a cohesive working unit and by the 1st Sunday in September 1965, the church moved to the 3rd floor of Beulah Baptist Church on West 130th Street. The first communion service was held that Sunday with the Reverend Albert A. Davis as pastor. Pastor Davis formally organized the official boards of St. Stephen Community African Methodist Episcopal Church. The church was originally organized with the following auxiliaries: The Board of Stewards, Junior Steward Board, Board of Trustees, Stewardess Boards A and B, Eight Class Leaders, Senior Choir, and Junior Choir. Subsequently, the pastor organized several auxiliaries including the Young Adult Choir, Gospel Chorus, Helping Hands Club, Pastor's Aid, Pulpit Aid, Senior Female Ushers, Intermediate Male and Junior Usher Boards, The Women's Missionary Society, Busy Bee Club and Church School. Under Pastor Davis' dynamic leadership, the congregation purchased 2139 Eighth Avenue (now known as Frederick Douglass Boulevard), New York City, New York. Pastor Davis believed in church expansion and when it became available, the congregaation purchased the apartment building adjacent to the church. God endowed the congregation with God's blessings, enabling the congregation to pay two mortgages concurrently. The congregation affirmed Philippians 4:13, which declares, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." After serving 13 years as pastor of St. Stephen Community Church, Pastor Davis transitioned from church militant to church triumphant on February 15, 1978. At the next session of the New York Annual Conference in 1978, Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand appointed the Reverend Leon Schuler as the second pastor of St. Under his pastorate, the original mortgage was burned and additional property was acquired. Pastor Schuler was a gifted singing preacher. Many new converted and accepted Jesus Christ. Pastor Schuler served faithfull for eight years until he was called home to be with the Lord in 1986. In June 1986, the Reverend Edward B. Smart Jr. was appointment as the third pastor. Under Pastor Smart's leadership, he organized a strong Junior Stewardess Board, Junior Choir, Male Chorus, and CASS (Committee for the Advancement of St. Stephen). He inaugurated monthly official board meetings and made a concerted effort to install a powerful leader's board. A food pantry also was operated under the pastorate of the Reverend Edward B. Smart. Under Pastor Smart's leadership, a moment of crisis arose when the City of New York attempted seizure of the church's property. With the help of a prominent New York City attorney, St. Stephen Community Church properties were saved from seizure. To God be the Glory! In April 1991, Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings appointed the Reverend Kenneth W. Newkirk as the fourth pastor. Under his leadership, Pastor Newkirk began work immediately to "set the House of God in order." Pastor Newkirk brought in a CPA to help organize the church's financial records and consultant to organize the Stephen Housing Corporation. The church membership increased and he appointed several new class leaders. Pastor Newkirk reorganized the Church School and renovated many areas of the church. During Pastor Newkirks tenure, a new piano and organ were purchased. The Solomon Committee, a fundraising organization was also organized. Under Pastor Newkirk's leadership, the Youth for Christ Choir, Male Chorus, First Lady's Guild and Lay Organization were organized and several existing auxiliaries were reorganized. The church is grateful to Almighty God for the moral boosting ministry of Pastor Kenneth W. Newkirk. Pastor Kenneth Wilmore Newkirk and his ever-present, supportive and faithful companion, Lady Bernice DeVeaux Newkirk has been a pillar of support for the St. Stephen Community Church family and the Harlem community. Lady Newkirk has always been a woman of faith, hope, grace, generosity and love for the Gospel Ministry and St. Stephen Church. Pastor Kenneth Wilmore Newkirk transitioned from this life to enter the eternal presence of the Lord on February 4, 1999. It was during this same conference year, the founding First Lady, Mother Mattie L. Davis went home to be with the Lord. Mother Davis served the Lord with gladness and lived to the age of 107 years at the time of her death. In March 1999, Pastor Leroy Ladson was appointed as the fifth pastor of St. Pastor Ladson was a young, vibrant preacher who was ready, willing and able to work. Under his capable leadership, the congregation renovated the church and remodeled the kitchen. Pastor Ladson was instrumental in having portraits of the past pastors framed and placed on the entrance wall. His charismatic charm and awesome love of children was a tremendous inspiration to not only the congregation, but also proved ot be an overwhelming support to our Young People's Division. Pastor Ladson's mission was to build unity, which was instrumental in generating excitement that led the congregation to stretch out on faith and begin the pre-construction and revitalization phase of St. On June 4, 2004, the Reverend Dr. C. Carlton Woodward was appointed the sixth pastor of St. Stephen Community Church by Bishop Zedekiah L. Grady. During the successive years, the Steward Board through the Quarterly Conferences have unanimously recommended the return of Pastor Woodward. Accordingly, he has been reappointed by both Bishop Richard Franklin Norris and Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram. Pastor Woodward is an electrifying preacher of the gospel, who taught the word of God with power and conviction. Pastor Woodward, a businessman, endeavored to see the revitalization project started by Pastor Leroy Ladson come to fruition. Pastor Woodward is a visionary who has accomplished much during his tenure at St. Stephen Community Church. Saturday, June 23, 2018 the church dedication was held and the dedicatory sermon was preached by Bishop Gregory G. March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global health emergency and named the virus "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" or "SARS-CoV-2." It was also in March that WHO officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. While the church doors were forced to close due to the outbreak and for the safety of the congregation, the church never stopped its operations. Zoom and other virtual platforms were used to help the congregation remain in contact with each other. Sunday worship services and bible study were conducted via conference call to ensure that the spiritual needs of the congregants of St. Stephen Community Church were met. June 17, 2023, Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister Sr. appoint Dr. Brandon Karl Allen as the seventh pastor of St. Dr. Allen's first Sunday as pastor of St. Stephen was Sunday, June 18, 2023 (Father's Day). The church continues to march forward in the midst of all the changes the Village of Harlem continues to see daily. The members of St. Stephen Community Church desire to be a church where men, women and children and come to worship, serve God, love God and God's community.
