GCACC Church History

GCACC Official Seal

Cleveland Avenue Christian Church had its beginnings in October 1893 by Elder Martin Griffin and Elder George Staples on East Third Street at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Baker. The church grew and moved to Depot Street (now Patterson Avenue) then to Eighth Street. After the turn of the century, Elder R.L. Peters, "The Back to the Book Preacher" became the spiritual leader. Under his pastorate, funds were raised, and the church re-located to a new building, and became the High Maple Street Christian Church. Elder Peters continued to serve until 1919. Elder 0. Zollar of Tennessee then became the pastor and served the church until 1924.

Elder M.C. Walker of Reidsville, North Carolina succeeded Rev. Zollar as pastor. Under his leadership, the congregation rallied in order to purchase land and to erect the first unit of the old Cleveland Avenue Christian Church, initially a basement facility only. The congregation moved into the structure in April 1926. Elder Walker resigned the pastorate in 1929 because of ill health.

In the years between 1929 and 1933, the church had several to serve in its pulpit: Elders H. D. Griffin, WA Booie, A. W. Davis, J. W. Parker, Gray and D. B. Bassett. Elder H. G. Fleming was minister from 1933-1936. Elder W.0. Gill served as pastor from 1937-1939 until he was called to serve as Dean of Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas. For a short time, Elder Rogers and Elder P. E. Carter served the church.

Rev. Charles H. Webb became the minister of the church in 1942, and during his administration, the church began raising funds to erect the final unit of the old Cleveland Avenue Christian Church building. In 1949, Rev. Webb was called to Indianapolis, Indiana to become the National Director of Church Development and Evangelism.

Rev. W. H. Brown then became the minister and erected the final unit of the Old Cleveland Avenue Christian Church that was completed in 1952. Rev. Brown became ill and resigned the pastorate, thus leaving the church again without pastoral leadership. Rev. S. W. Hylton, Jr., a young dynamic preacher, was called to serve the church from 1954 until 1961. Rev. Fred Peeler of Concord, North Carolina was the minister from 1962 until 1969. The church, now finding itself in the midst of an Urban Renewal Project, began to acquire more land to relocate.

Cleveland Avenue Christian Church (Former Sanctuary)

Rev. Robert L. Brown came to take the leadership role as minister in November 1969. He gave guidance in the planning, erection, and dedication of the present building located on the corner of Cleveland Avenue and Tenth Streets. The focal point of this sanctuary is the ordinance of communion. The modified cross floor plan places each worshiper as near the communion table as possible. Communion is served at Cleveland Avenue Christian Church during the morning worship hour every Sunday. As a continuing reminder of the heritage of Cleveland Avenue Christian Church, the stained glass windows from the original Cleveland Avenue Christian Church were used in the sanctuary of the present building. The congregation marched in a processional from the old church to the new edifice on July 7, 1974 and had the Dedication Service on September 29, 1974. In October 1977, Rev. James 0.Williams came from Fayetteville, North Carolina to become the minister at Cleveland Avenue Christian Church where he served until 1987. Under his leadership, Cleveland Avenue Christian Church became a Shalom (Peace with Justice) congregation in 1984.

Bishop Sheldon McCarter

Bishpo Sheldon M. McCarter became the spiritual leader of Cleveland Avenue Christian Church in August 1988. He is a dynamic and highly energetic leader. Under his pastorate, a great spiritual explosion has occurred at the church that has resulted in an increase in church membership that is now approaching 3000. First lady Joyce McCarter became the co-pastor of the church in 1998. She is a tremendous asset to her husband as she assists him in carrying out the vision of the church.

With such phenomenal growth in the church, in 1996, Cleveland Avenue Christian Church began having two morning worship services every Sunday, initially at 8:30 a. m and 11 :00 a.m., and now at 9:00 a.m. and 11: 30 a.m. Both Sunday services are powerful times when the word is delivered, bodies are healed, burdens removed, and yokes destroyed. In January 1996, Bishop McCarter initiated a Noonday Worship Service every Wednesday. This church service has attracted a large number of attendants who welcome a spiritual uplift in the middle of the week. A bag lunch is provided for those who come. Bible Study is held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.

In March 1997, Cleveland Avenue Christian Church began having a fifth Sunday service, called a "Great Family Gathering." Initially, at this service, both morning services came together for one big service that attracted over a thousand people. These services were initially held at the M. C. Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem, and then at the Kenneth R. Williams Auditorium on the campus of Winston-Salem State University. An added attraction to these services was the featuring of renowned gospel recording artists who sang songs of praise and worship.

The church sponsors at least four major conferences each year. They are the ELISHA COLLEGE CONFERENCE, held in the spring that attracts hundreds of college and high school students locally and from surrounding areas. Local and national preachers bring messages of hope and deliverance to young people. The EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE, held in June, is a time of spiritual rejuvenation. The WOMEN OF PURPOSE CONFERENCE, also held in June, is geared towards women. The RADICALLY ANOINTED YOUTH (RAY) CONFERENCE is geared towards young adults. All four conferences feature ministers, evangelists, and recording artists within the church, surrounding areas, and from throughout the nation.

GCACC ground breaking ceremony on 10/2/99

On October 2, 1999, the congregation traveled in an impressive motorcade for ribbon cutting ceremonies at its new church located at 5095 Lansing Drive. This church, with the name, Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church, is a beautiful edifice that seats 1200 people, has a state-of-the art sound and video system, an over one hundred seat choir stand, a 400 seat fellowship hall, ample parking spaces, office space for the ministerial and administrative staff, Christian bookstore, classroom space for children's church and other purposes, prayer and meditation room, choir rehearsal room, reception room to receive new members, and a multi-purpose room.

Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church (New Sanctuary)

The new church had two weeks of dedication services in October 1999. Both local and national guest ministers and recording artists came to help celebrate this glorious event. The church maintains Cleveland Avenue Christian Church on Cleveland Avenue, its East Location, where Wednesday Noon services continue to be held as well as other programs and activities. Great Family Gathering, Easter and New Year' s Eve Watch Night services are now held at the new church.

In 2000, groundbreaking ceremonies were held at Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church for two new edifices--the 16,000 square foot S. M. McCarter Family Life Center that will house basketball courts, the Jim and Cheryl Caldwell Weight Room, an indoor track, a game room, activity and athletic rooms, office space, and other rooms; and the Signs and Wonders Learning Academy, an 8,000 square foot day care center for ages six weeks to Five years with a capacity for close to 100 children, located at the Cleveland Avenue Christian Church, East Location. Both buildings opened in the fall 2001. Along with these construction projects, a new road was built and additional parking spaces were created to accommodate the growing masses of people that come to Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church.

With such a thriving membership, the church now has a full time youth pastor. The church also provides employment opportunities for secretaries, administrative assistants, bookstore operators, maintenance personnel, a media specialist, musicians, day care workers, and others who are financially compensated for contributing to the successful operation of a first class ministry.

Despite his demanding preaching schedule, he remains touchable and approachable to his members, always willing to offer words of prayer, encouragement and advice to all who are in need. He remains humble so that God can continue to elevate him to higher levels. Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church has great work to do, and it has accepted the challenge while continuing to be "The Church Where Everybody is Somebody, and Jesus is the Main Attraction."