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
Holy Spirit
Prayer
Commission of jesus
Integrity
We value integrity in our daily walk.
Compassion
We value compassion toward all people.
Social Justice
Humility
We value maintaining a strong sense of humilty rooted in love while serving all individuals.
Fellowship
We value not taking ourselves too seriously, having fun, and enjoying one another in fellowship.
Our Pastor
Rev. Dr. Joseph D. Clemmons, II
&
Lady Mary Clemmons
Dr. 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, he 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 Pastor Clemmons studied at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. After graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in Transformative Leadership, Pastor continued to serve at HFC as Executive Pastor until his pastoral installation 2019. He receieved his Doctor of Ministry degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School with a concentration in multicultural ministry.
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 kind 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 Dr. 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 7-year old son, London), and Joseph Clemmons, III (engaged to be married September 2024).
Our History
1. Foundation and Early Years: The church's origins trace back to prayer meetings held in the home of Frank and Polly Clemmons on Bergen St. in Brooklyn in 1921. These meetings grew rapidly as people were saved under the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Growth and Community Service: The prayer meetings eventually outgrew the Clemmons' home, so the congregation rented a space on Rochester and Dean St. and adopted the name "Brooklyn #1." The church served as a mission center, assisting transplanted Blacks who had recently migrated from the South, a situation the Clemmons themselves could relate to since they had recently migrated from North Carolina.
3. Connection to Azusa Street Revival: Frank Clemmons became well-known in New York City as a dynamic preacher and a friend of Charles Mason, the Presiding Bishop and Founder of the Church of God in Christ and a leader in the Azusa Street Revival. Frank Clemmons helped reconnect Charles Mason with William J. Seymour, the leader of the Azusa Street Revival, after they had lost contact.
4. Expansion and Renaming: In 1939, Brooklyn #1 purchased a bus garage, transformed it into a beautiful church, and renamed itself First Church of God in Christ of Brooklyn, NY, Inc. The church continued to grow and serve the community by meeting various needs, including clothing, food, and financial support.
5. Civil Rights Movement: The church played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, with its leaders using the church as an information and strategy center to inform the Black community and recruit demonstrators for campaigns aimed at promoting civil rights and economic justice.
6. Leadership Transitions: Elder Frank Clemmons was consecrated as Bishop in the First Jurisdiction of Eastern New York in 1959. He later called his eldest son, Ithiel, to co-pastor the church with a new vision. Ithiel Clemmons succeeded his father and was followed by his brother, Rev. Dr. Joseph Clemmons, Sr., who continued the legacy of dynamic preaching and pastoral care.
7. Present Leadership: In 2019, Joseph Clemmons, Jr., the son of Rev. Dr. Joseph Clemmons, Sr., was voted in by the congregation as pastor and continues the church's mission of meeting community needs with the love of Jesus Christ.
Throughout its history, the church has remained committed to serving the community and promoting social justice, carrying forward the spirit of its founders and leaders. Today, the church's mission remains centered on demonstrating unconditional love to all people, just as it did when serving marginalized migrants in the early 20th century.
Glimpses of Former Leaders
The Early Years
The church's origins trace back to prayer meetings held in the home of Frank and Polly Clemmons on Bergen St. in Brooklyn in 1921. These meetings grew rapidly as people were saved under the power of the Holy Spirit. Soon the meeting became too large to be held in the Bergen St. apartment. These migrants from the South pooled their resources and rented a storefront on the corner of Rochestor and Dean St. in Crown Heights until they were able to purchase their own building.
Expansion and Renaming
In 1939, Brooklyn #1 purchased a bus garage, transformed it into a beautiful church, and renamed itself First Church of God in Christ of Brooklyn, NY, Inc. The church continued to grow and serve the community by meeting resident's needs including clothing, food, children's school after school tutoring, and financial support.
Present Leadership
In 2019, Rev. Dr. Joseph Clemmons, II, the son of Bishop Joseph D. Clemmons, Sr., was voted in by the congregation as pastor and continues the church's mission of meeting community needs with the love of Jesus Christ.
Get in Touch
We'd love to meet you at one of our services! Let's connect using the info below.Service Times
Sunday Morning Worship
10:30 am - 11:45 amYouth Church
Ages 5-19 (grouped by age)10:15 am - 12 pm