Who We Are
Learn More About Historic First ChurchWelcome Home
Our Vision
To have a diverse and inclusive church that serves the Crown Heights community and retains the multicultural worship experience of the Azusa Street Revival.
That Revival is where Pentecostalism was born in 1906 (Los Angeles). It's also where people of all races and walks of life came together to celebrate God's goodness under the power of the Holy Spirit--much like the multicultural Day of Pentecost in Acts 2: 1-12.
Our Mission
Our Core Values
Safe Spaces
Diversity
We value and celebrate the diverse gifts of all people with the inclusive love of Jesus Christ.
Power of the Holy Spirit
We value the power of the Holy Spirit for personal salvation, healing, and social progress.
Prayer
We value the power of individual and corporate prayer.
Commission of jesus
We value the commission of Jesus which joyfully commits us to discipleship, evangelism, and community outreach.
Integrity
We value integrity in our daily walk.
Compassion
We value compassion toward all people.
Social Justice
We value working toward social justice and equality as Jesus did while knowing the difference between social justice initiatives and community outreach.
Humility
We value serving in ministry with humility, ever prayerful, seeking God’s guidance and through prayer become sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in all that we hope to accomplish.
Christian Fellowship
We value not taking ourselves too seriously, having fun, and enjoying one another in Christian fellowship.
Our Pastor

Pastor Joseph D. Clemmons, Jr.
Senior PastorReverend Clemmons graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. degree in Marketing and Communications. After years of success in the corporate world, while pursuing music and screenwriting, Rev. Clemmons decided to answer his call to ministry. While serving in the ministry of West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, he met his wife Mary who also has a heart for serving people.
In 2015, Joseph and Mary relocated to Brooklyn to begin serving at HFC while Rev. Clemmons studied at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. After graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in Transformative Leadership, Rev. Clemmons continued to serve at HFC as Executive Pastor until his pastoral installation 2019. He has submitted his doctoral dissertation at Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School with an emphasis on multicultural community engagement.
Pastor Clemmons’ vision for a holistic ministry that integrates discipleship, parishioner support, fellowship, community outreach, and evangelism has taken form in an exciting way. Though the pandemic brought challenges, it has also forced HFC to embrace new ministerial opportunities within the congregation and in the Crown Heights, Brooklyn community. With the help of the Lord and partnering parishioners, Pastor Clemmons and Lady Mary have led HFC to be a loving, inclusive church that enjoys serving people of all races and walks of life. By God’s grace, HFC continues to grow under Pastor Clemmons’ leadership as he emphasizes spiritual health and growth in his preaching and pastoral care. He is a loving husband and father of three adult children, Ajenai Adeyeye (married to Peter Adeyeye), Danielle Vaughan (married to Jeremy Vaughan with their 6-year old son, London), and Joseph Clemmons, III (engaged to Joanna Fletcher).
Get in Touch
We would love to meet you at one of our services! You can also feel free to contact us using the information below.Service Times
Sunday Morning Worship
10:30 am - 11:45 amYouth Church
Ages 5-19 (grouped by age)10:15 am - 12 pm