Gospel Temple Missionary
Baptist Church History
1904 – 2020
The history of Gospel Temple Baptist Church is the story of an undivided fellowship, a faithful fellowship destined to change and grow to accommodate a North Memphis community’s need for organized religion. In 1904, a group of Christian men and women, under the guidance of Rev. William Davis met as a Sunday School in a home on the Belt Line and organized the group into a church. The church was called Gospel Temple Baptist Church since it grew out of an organization set up to teach the Bible. The church was growing and preparing for a change in leadership after Rev. Davis was called to pastor a church in Oklahoma.
Rev. Fred Thomas was the first elected pastor. At that point, the church was located at 661 Maple, presently called Wells Avenue. In 1912, Rev. Thomas resigned, and Rev. Bolton was chosen to carry on the services.
Rev. L. A. Kemp was called to the pastorate and served from January 1913 to 1947. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on the third Sunday, July 16, 1916. This two temple towering building was the result of the visionary leadership of Rev. Kemp, Deacons T. C. Colbert, H. Hull, John Banks, S. Bailey, John Price, D. Robinson, and Clerk, T. W. Doggett, and Trustees T. C. Colbert, John Banks, S. Bailey, T. W. Doggett, Charlie Thomas, and H. Hull The formal opening was held on the fourth Sunday, November 26, 1916.
Under his leadership, a platform was built and used for the graduation exercises of Manassas High School. In 1924, Manassas High School held its first graduation at Gospel Temple Missionary Baptist Church.
During the 1950s and the 1960s First Lady Hattie Kemp taught hundreds of children who lived in North Memphis at her kindergarten located on Vollintine St., now T. M. Henderson. Many children of Gospel Temple M. B. Church graduated from Mrs. Kemp’s Kindergarten. The Graduations were held at Gospel Temple M. B. Church.
Rev. Kemp’s tenure would be incomplete without acknowledging the invaluable services of Rev. Robert Culp, who was the assistant pastor, and Rev. L. E. Bingham, Rev. Melvin Tate, and Rev. Walter Thomas who served as pastoral aides. Rev. Kemp became Pastor Emeritus until his death.
Rev. Dr. Charles T. Epps, Sr. served as pastor from January 1948 until December 1961. Under his leadership, the rooms in the back of the sanctuary were added, and the pulpit and choir stand were relocated. Air conditioning was installed and the baptistery was moved from the basement to the front of the sanctuary. He also organized the Board of Christian Education and the Deborah Circle to enhance the already established Gertrude Williams Missionary Society. While pastoring Gospel Temple, Rev. Dr. Epps pursued graduate studies at Columbia University during the summer months. After the death of his father in 1961, Rev. Epps resigned from Gospel Temple to pastor his father’s church, Zion Missionary Baptist Church, in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Rev. Epps’ son, Dr. William Saxe Epps, current Pastor of Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles and Alumnus of Columbia, spoke at the 125th Columbia Teachers College Commemoration. In this speech, he shared the historical impact of the academic journey of his parents during his father’s tenure at Gospel Temple Church: “We lived in Memphis, Tennessee for 14 years. Each of those 14 years, my parents were privileged to come to Teachers College [Columbia University, New York]. In those days African Americans could not go to an institute of higher learning or a university in the Southern states, so State Departments of Education paid for African Americans to go to Teachers College.” Dr. Epps also described TC’s impact on his own family and the College’s enduring legacy for African Americans nationwide: “I don’t know if TC knows the impact they had for African Americans all across the South during the days of segregation, discrimination, and civil rights.”
Upon Pastor Epps’ resignation, Rev. Nearer Daniel Swannigan was chosen to conduct the services. He served December 1961 until August 1962. Rev. Swannigan was later appointed Assistant Pastor.
Rev. Dr. Neasbie Alston served as pastor from 1962- 2007. He will long be remembered by the members of our church and the surrounding community. In August 1974, the Gospel Temple M. B. Church was incorporated. Rev. Alston initiated an extensive remodelling of the church, including the building of the Fellowship Hall, a new kitchen, and a paved, fenced parking lot. In 1985, the Radio Broadcast was launched. Each Sunday morning the sermons were recorded and aired on Radio Station WLOK, so that the sick and shut-in and the radio audience could hear Rev. Alston’s spiritual sermons. As a visionary leader, he supported the members’ desire to build an elevator for our elderly and physically challenged members.
In April 1985, the church dedicated the elevator. He also instituted the Church Bus Ministry and added a Recording Studio. During his pastorate, Gospel Temple contributed $10,000 to an Endowment Scholarship at Meharry Medical College and $20,000 to LeMoyne-Owen College. In 1997, The Historical Wall was dedicated and updated by photojournalist Ernest Withers and James Shells. In coordination with the president of Memphis Theological Seminary, Dr. Alston provided ministerial training to younger pastors as well as Rev. Doe from West Africa. He was an avid supporter of Youth Encampment through the Baptist Ministerial and Education Association.
Rev. Gary DeBose, former associate minister at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church-Wellington, was appointed interim pastor and was formally received on November 18, 2007, until November 2, 2008.
Rev. Katral Rainey served as the sixth pastor of Gospel Temple. He preached his first sermon as pastor on March 8, 2009. His tenure reflected the church’s interest in and support of student success at Manassas High School. In May 2012, Gospel Temple initiated and hosted Baccalaureate Services for families, staff, and graduating class of Manassas High School. In addition, he led in the church’s commitment to Pastor Rainey served until November 2016.
Rev. Charles Lee Ewing, II preached his first sermon at Gospel Temple Missionary Baptist Church on September 3, 2017. Rev. Ewing was installed as the seventh pastor of The Historic Gospel Temple M. B. Church on Sunday, October 29, 2017. In his brief tenure, Rev. Ewing has already placed his visionary stamp on “The Temple.” A two -fold vision–” Rebuilding the Temple” and “We are Family!”–permeates every aspect of church life and reflects the focus through which this vision is being realized. The result has been increased Bible Study participation, a renewed commitment to sharing spiritual and financial resources, enhanced fellowships with other churches, and greater participation in local, state, and national Baptist associations.
Under his leadership, a signature outreach program, TempleFest, was launched in October 2018. Partnering with local colleges and accessing community resources, “The Temple” family provided health education awareness and screenings, other educational experiences as well as enjoyable activities for all ages. 2019 was a year of continued growth and spiritual renewal. His leadership inspired Gospel Temple’s increased participation in the Baptist Missionary and Education Association. This resulted in Gospel Temple’s being awarded the Association’s 2020 Annual Banner. Also Rev. Ewing was elected Youth President of the Congress of Christian Education. Gospel Temple Missionary Baptist Church is excited about its future of continued service to the community.