About Us

Christ Cathedral Baptist Church was born out of the suffering of the Concerned Members of New Light Baptist Church.

1992 The Concerned Members, under the leadership of Trustee Charlie Myrick, began meeting at 15400 W. Plymouth Road mounting a fight, through the legal system, to seek relief from an untenable situation. Recognizing that the body was not assembling themselves for worship services, the Concerned Members through one of its own, began to hold worship services at the Phoenix Job Development Services Building at 12730 W. Seven Mile Rd. The Concerned Members continued to meet at this location for more than a year. It was during this period that worship supporting auxiliaries were formed (i.e. Usher Board, a Choir, Sunday School and Nurses Guild, etc.)

1993 In August the Concerned Members, growing in numbers, moved to a larger worship space. They leased space at the T. C. Simmons Ministries located at 10501 Orangelawn at Mendota.

1994 In March the Concerned Members decided to abandon its efforts to return to New Light Baptist Church. The membership voted to change its direction and to incorporate as Christ Memorial. The membership elected Deacon Otis Harrell as Chairperson of the Deacon Board, the late Deacon Lennie G. Keener as Chairperson of the Trustee Board and the late Rev. Jasper Garrison was given the responsibility of conducting the services.

1995 On April 8, Christ Memorial held its first election for calling a pastor. This election failed in that there was not a two-thirds majority vote for any candidate as required by the Church by-laws. Again, on August 25 another election was held. This election resulted in a candidate being selected. However, the candidate decided not to accept the call of Christ Memorial Baptist Church. At this point, it was the decision of the membership not to empower another Pulpit Committee.

1996 In January, Christ Memorial moved to 10731 W. McNichols. On May 26 the Rev. Alfred M. Nicholson was installed as the first pastor of Christ Memorial Baptist Church. After great study and meditation, Rev. Nicholson appointed a committee to research the name of our church. The basis of this discussion and research was that we serve a living God, not a memory. The committee met with the pastor and others and offered several suggestions for a name change. On November 23, the church met and a vote was passed that the official name of the church be changed to Christ Cathedral Baptist Church.

An active church search was conducted. After several disappointments, on October 12 Christ Memorial made an offer to purchase, from the congregation of Miller Memorial Church of God in Christ, the church building at 6115 Hartford Avenue. On October 15 the offer to purchase was accepted. On December 18, the purchase of the church facility at 6115 Hartford from Miller Memorial C.O.G.I.C. was finalized by Dr. John Morrison and Deacon Albert Bone.

1997 On January 5, under a police escorted motorcade, from its location at 10731 W. McNichols, Pastor Nicholson led the Christ Cathedral Baptist congregation into its permanent home at 6115 Hartford Ave.

1998-2002 God opened the windows of heaven and showered this church with abundant blessings. For example, the church became engaged in a Community Meal Program, Substance Abuse Awareness Ministry, newly remodeled Nursery, renovated Fellowship Hall, additional staff personnel, new sound system, new Hammond Organ, and several new and vital Ministries. God blessed the church with the equipping and implementation of a computer lab and proposed after school programs for both youth and adults. We have expanded our presence of ministry of the National, Regional, and State levels in the Progressive Baptist Convention.

With Pastor Nicholson serving the U. S. Air Force as Chaplain, God provided the church the unique opportunity for ministry to those that served in the Armed Services (which is especially significant in light of the tragedy on September 11, 2001). Christ Cathedral seeks to reach higher heights and explore richer depths in the Lord as we collectively strive to become a Progressive House of Worship and Service.

2003-2005 The church enhanced ministry within the community with serving hot meals,

providing food baskets and clothing to those with need. Ministry was also expanded with greater work-responsibility within the Michigan Progressive Baptist Convention. Our Pastor was elected to the office of Executive Secretary and continued to teach on the National level in the Congress of Christian Education. Christ Cathedral was afforded greater visibility and opportunity to share and grow in wider circles of the family of God.

Pastor Nicholson led a special team to Houston, TX to attend the Pastors and Leadership Conference, sponsored by Bishop T.D. Jakes. This ministry from the Potter=s House gave rise to a new vision and energy.

The Lord inspired the church to engage in a special renovation project in the church sanctuary. The pulpit was completely re-modeled to provide ample room for preaching and teaching. The choir stand was enhanced for additional seating space as well as aesthetic improvements. New carpet was laid throughout to include the administrative hallway. The sound room was also improved and remodeled. Christ Cathedral was blessed to have our own Deacon Gerald Mitchell to serve as General Contractor/Manager; and his company (Cambai Construction) performed a beautiful work in minimum time and minimum cost.

With the addition of several new members, God blessed the church to license two new ministers and ordain two new deacons and a minister.

Ministries are increasing and growing spiritually. We are forever grateful to God for his tender hand of mercy and allowing the church to burn the mortgage in March 2005 after 8 years.

2006-2008 The Lord challenged the church in 2006 with the military absence of the Pastor. Pastor Nicholson was assigned to Iraq in support of American troops engaged in combat. The officers, ministers and members banned together in a marvelous way to maintain all operations and ministry of the church. Upon the Pastor’s return, he and the Chairman of the Deacon Board led the church in a successful campaign for new chandeliers in the sanctuary and foyer. The Adopt-a-Light Program was fully accomplished on one Sunday morning with over $3500 being raised.

In July, 2008 Rev. Nicholson informed the church that the military was sending him to Germany. Although the church banned together previously during his absence, he did not want to subject the church to another extended absence due to the uncertainty of an active status in the military. Effective September 1, 2008, Rev. Alfred M. Nicholson resigned his post here at Christ Cathedral. The church began the process of searching for a new leader.

2009 Left without a Pastor, the leadership responsibilities of Christ Cathedral were undertaken by the Chairman of the Deacon Ministry, Deacon Gerald Mitchell, Chairman of the Trustee Ministry, Dr. John E. Morrison and Rev. Jerome P. Maclin. Under this leadership, Christ Cathedral empowered a Pulpit Committee and an extensive search was conducted to call a pastor. The search was completed and on October 25, 2009 an election was held. On November 15, 2009, the call was extended to the Reverend George R. Williams, Jr., and he accepted. Rev. Williams preached his first sermon as pastor on November 22, 2009.

2010 On January 17, 2010, the Rev. George R. Williams, Jr. was installed as the second pastor of Christ Cathedral. A love affair between the pastor and congregation began. Each One, Reach One was adopted as our church slogan-a highly successful slogan-because our membership almost doubled.

2011 A Women’s Ministry and Couples Ministry were implemented under Pastor Williams as a means of addressing issues of our younger congregants. The wisdom of our Deaconess, Ministers and other experienced individuals were invited to address these two ministries. Under the tutelage of Pastor Williams and the advice of our Deaconess Ministry, three (3) new deaconess were consecrated. He also expanded the Community Friends and Friendship Ministry to include a monthly food distribution where food boxes are given to any family on a first come, first served basis.

2012 The Nehemiah Project was initiated in order to make major improvements to the church (new roof, new doors, water damage, and other needed repairs). We continue to experience growth in our membership. Under Pastor Williams leadership, we have been blessed with 111 new members who have joined by Christian Experience or rededication and 68 souls have been saved through baptism.

To God be the Glory, Power, and Honor as we embellish our 2013 theme, “From Glory to Glory.”