Church History
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The Everlasting Missionary Baptist Church held its first meeting on January 17, 1958, at the Caperone Baptist Church. There were (6) six people present: Rev. M. Leroy Smith, his wife, Sis. Bettye J. Smith, Sis, Julie James, Sis. Inez Dotson, Bro. Jimmy Herbert and Sis. Malinda Abercrombie. They agreed to organize a church, and it would be named “Everlasting Missionary Baptist Church.
On January 19, 1958, they worshiped with the Green Grove Baptist Church located at 7419 Quincy Ave. On January 24, 1958, a Council of local ministers met to confirm the organization of the church, which would be located at 863 Lakeview Rd. The moderator was Rev. B. F. Colvin, Rev. Peter Wise offered prayer, Rev. Carter gave the charge, and Rev. Ingram delivered the sermon. Rev. Copridge and Rev. Edward D. Small were also present.
On March 9, 1958, the first service was held with (15) fifteen people present at the 863 Lakeview Rd location. The Sunday school offering was $2.00 and the general offering was $7.10. The rent for the location was $55 per month and through the goodness of God, we were able to pay it every month.
After morning service, a meeting was held. Rev. M Leroy Smith, being the founder of the church deemed it wise that he be voted pastor of the Everlasting B.C. for life or for as long as he and the church agreed. The motion was made by Sis Julia James and seconded by Sis. Inez Dotson. All member present favored the motion.
In January 1963, by the grace of God, the church moved to our present location, 579 Eddy Rd. There were several improvements made inside and around the building during the first year. In 1964, the baptismal area was added to the church. In 1967, we purchased the building next door (church annex). In 1968, we purchased new front doors for the church, laid a new floor to the lower auditorium and re-decorated the women’s restroom.
In 1974, we purchased our first van to assist with transporting our members to the various offsite fellowship commitments with other churches around the city.
On April 11, 1977, we held our first “Mortgage Burning” service in celebration of paying off the church.
On January 8, 1980, the church was destroyed by fire. Our neighborhood church, East Glenville United Methodist, opened its doors to us and we were able to worship in unity the following Sunday, January 13, 1980.
The following Sunday, January 20, 1980, we were blessed to use the Parish of St Aloysius Church, located at 10932 St. Clair Ave. For the next (9) nine months, this edifice became “our home away from home” deriving from a warm reception and unlimited invitation. On October 26, 1980, we moved into a building located at 12500 Shaw Ave. This became our 2nd “home away from home” where we remained for the next two years and two months. It was during this time we were able to pay off the mortgage for the Church Annex (12205 St. Clair Ave).
On Sunday, January 2, 1983, we marched through the doors of our new church building. The Baptismal was purchased by Dea. Charles & Maratha Ramsey & Family (in memory of Agustus Ramsey) and the American and Christian flags were purchased by Sis. Rozella Walker & family.
In the mid 1980’s, Pastor Smith combined the then Echoes (Young Adults) and Senior Choir, which later became known as the “Mass Choir”. In 1985, the Male Chorus was reborn. Under the leadership of Bro. Eric L. Smith and Sis Carolyn Williams, the children’s choir (Singing Angels) was organized. In honor the memory of our founding pastor, in 1993 the M.L. Smith Inspirational Choir was organized to minister at the early morning worship service. In 2001, the Mass Choir released two gospel CD’s entitled “Gospel Unplugged 1” and “Gospel Unplugged 2.”
In 1986, in partnership with the City of Cleveland, the Church Annex (12205 St. Clair Ave) building was used to organize the EBC Nutrition and Senior Program. In 2019 the building became the EBC Day Care & Pre-School Center. In 2015, the church purchased the building and land located directly across the street (12212 St. Clair Ave.) for future community outreach and business endeavors.
In 1993, as Pastor M. L. Smith’s health began to decline, he appointed Rev. DeWitt Chappell, Jr. as Assistant Pastor. Our hearts were saddened on April 17, 1994 when Pastor M. L. Smith was called from labor to reward. On August 7, 1994, Rev. Dewitt Chappell Jr. was installed and became the second pastor of Everlasting Baptist Church.
On June 10, 1995, we held our second “Mortgage Burning” service in celebration of paying off our current building.
In 2012, the son of our founding pastor, Min. Eric L. Smith was ordained and appointed Assistant Pastor. We have had five ministers serve as Assistant Pastor: Rev. Clifton Peoples, Rev. DeWitt Chappell Jr., Rev. Wilma Frisco, Min. Eric L. Smith and Rev. Eunice James.
Everlasting B.C. is affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, USA. Our own Min. Eric L. Smith and the church received national recognition when he was appointed “Minister of Music” of the Youth Department/Youth Rally of this organization in early 2000’s.
In 2018, Pastor Chappell was appointed pastor of the Pine Grove Baptist Church. In October 2020, the Pine Grove B.C. family merged with the Everlasting B.C family, and the two became one.
On January 19, 1958, they worshiped with the Green Grove Baptist Church located at 7419 Quincy Ave. On January 24, 1958, a Council of local ministers met to confirm the organization of the church, which would be located at 863 Lakeview Rd. The moderator was Rev. B. F. Colvin, Rev. Peter Wise offered prayer, Rev. Carter gave the charge, and Rev. Ingram delivered the sermon. Rev. Copridge and Rev. Edward D. Small were also present.
On March 9, 1958, the first service was held with (15) fifteen people present at the 863 Lakeview Rd location. The Sunday school offering was $2.00 and the general offering was $7.10. The rent for the location was $55 per month and through the goodness of God, we were able to pay it every month.
After morning service, a meeting was held. Rev. M Leroy Smith, being the founder of the church deemed it wise that he be voted pastor of the Everlasting B.C. for life or for as long as he and the church agreed. The motion was made by Sis Julia James and seconded by Sis. Inez Dotson. All member present favored the motion.
In January 1963, by the grace of God, the church moved to our present location, 579 Eddy Rd. There were several improvements made inside and around the building during the first year. In 1964, the baptismal area was added to the church. In 1967, we purchased the building next door (church annex). In 1968, we purchased new front doors for the church, laid a new floor to the lower auditorium and re-decorated the women’s restroom.
In 1974, we purchased our first van to assist with transporting our members to the various offsite fellowship commitments with other churches around the city.
On April 11, 1977, we held our first “Mortgage Burning” service in celebration of paying off the church.
On January 8, 1980, the church was destroyed by fire. Our neighborhood church, East Glenville United Methodist, opened its doors to us and we were able to worship in unity the following Sunday, January 13, 1980.
The following Sunday, January 20, 1980, we were blessed to use the Parish of St Aloysius Church, located at 10932 St. Clair Ave. For the next (9) nine months, this edifice became “our home away from home” deriving from a warm reception and unlimited invitation. On October 26, 1980, we moved into a building located at 12500 Shaw Ave. This became our 2nd “home away from home” where we remained for the next two years and two months. It was during this time we were able to pay off the mortgage for the Church Annex (12205 St. Clair Ave).
On Sunday, January 2, 1983, we marched through the doors of our new church building. The Baptismal was purchased by Dea. Charles & Maratha Ramsey & Family (in memory of Agustus Ramsey) and the American and Christian flags were purchased by Sis. Rozella Walker & family.
In the mid 1980’s, Pastor Smith combined the then Echoes (Young Adults) and Senior Choir, which later became known as the “Mass Choir”. In 1985, the Male Chorus was reborn. Under the leadership of Bro. Eric L. Smith and Sis Carolyn Williams, the children’s choir (Singing Angels) was organized. In honor the memory of our founding pastor, in 1993 the M.L. Smith Inspirational Choir was organized to minister at the early morning worship service. In 2001, the Mass Choir released two gospel CD’s entitled “Gospel Unplugged 1” and “Gospel Unplugged 2.”
In 1986, in partnership with the City of Cleveland, the Church Annex (12205 St. Clair Ave) building was used to organize the EBC Nutrition and Senior Program. In 2019 the building became the EBC Day Care & Pre-School Center. In 2015, the church purchased the building and land located directly across the street (12212 St. Clair Ave.) for future community outreach and business endeavors.
In 1993, as Pastor M. L. Smith’s health began to decline, he appointed Rev. DeWitt Chappell, Jr. as Assistant Pastor. Our hearts were saddened on April 17, 1994 when Pastor M. L. Smith was called from labor to reward. On August 7, 1994, Rev. Dewitt Chappell Jr. was installed and became the second pastor of Everlasting Baptist Church.
On June 10, 1995, we held our second “Mortgage Burning” service in celebration of paying off our current building.
In 2012, the son of our founding pastor, Min. Eric L. Smith was ordained and appointed Assistant Pastor. We have had five ministers serve as Assistant Pastor: Rev. Clifton Peoples, Rev. DeWitt Chappell Jr., Rev. Wilma Frisco, Min. Eric L. Smith and Rev. Eunice James.
Everlasting B.C. is affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, USA. Our own Min. Eric L. Smith and the church received national recognition when he was appointed “Minister of Music” of the Youth Department/Youth Rally of this organization in early 2000’s.
In 2018, Pastor Chappell was appointed pastor of the Pine Grove Baptist Church. In October 2020, the Pine Grove B.C. family merged with the Everlasting B.C family, and the two became one.