Reverend Joseph D. Clemmons, Jr., is the fourth pastor of Historic First Church which was planted by his grandfather in 1924. His uncle, Bishop Ithiel Clemmons succeeded his grandfather in 1990 and his father, Bishop Joseph Clemmons, Sr. succeeded his brother, Ithiel in 1999. Upon his father’s retirement in 2019, the congregation voted for Rev. Clemmons to serve as their pastor.

Reverend 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 is currently writing his dissertation in the Doctor of Ministry program at Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School with an emphasis on Transformational Preaching.

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 has 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 5-year old son, London), and Joseph Clemmons, III (engaged to Joanna Fletcher).