Our Church
The History of the St. Peter CME Church – El Cerrito
In August, 1953, the Presiding Bishop, F. L. Lewis, appointed Reverend J.S. Belcher to a mission in South Richmond. There was no sanctuary in which to worship, so the first meeting was held in the home of the late Alcus and Lillie Moreland on December 8, 1953. Reverend Belcher, along with eighteen other family members formerly of Davis Chapel C.M.E. Church, of North Richmond, stepped out on faith as they labored to fulfill Bishop F. L. Lewis’ divine vision. The South Richmond C.M.E. Church continued in spiritual growth under the leadership of Rev. J.S. Belcher and the plans and designs of the new church were underway.
On October 9, 1956, Reverend John B. Spearman was appointed pastor of South Richmond C.M.E. Church. Faced with the task of building a church, knowing well that God has no hands but ours, Rev. Spearman led his faithful members in worship services at various churches on Sunday afternoons until the new edifice was completed. Hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and faith enabled them to march into their new church on December 8, 1959, renamed St. Peter C.M.E. Church, located at 5324 Cypress Avenue, in El Cerrito, CA. These are the charter members of the church: Nathan Alexander, Molena and Addie Barnes, Reverend and Mrs. J.S. Belcher, Audrey Calvin, Austin Cuba, Fezell and Vernice Jones, Kelsey Jones, Lizzie M. Lincoln, Alvin Simon, Marshall and Madge B. Turner, Fred and Lydell Williams, Alcus and Lillie Moreland, and Lydell Williams.
In August, 1953, the Presiding Bishop, F. L. Lewis, appointed Reverend J.S. Belcher to a mission in South Richmond. There was
Since the birth of St. Peter C.M.E. Church in 1953, we have been blessed with the following pastoral leadership: Rev. J. S. Belcher (1953); Rev. J. B. Spearman, Sr. (1956); Rev. Silas Anderson.(1963); Rev. Clyde Aker (1967); Rev. Lawrence P. Lakey (1968); Rev. A. Curtis Manning (1973); Rev. Fezell Jones (1976); Rev. Charles H. Belcher (1976); Rev. Winfred T. Warren (1978); Rev. Glentis A. Turner (1984); Rev. Rayford C. Bell (1986); Rev. Gary N .. Collins (1988); Rev. Lawrence P. Lakey (1998); Rev. Dr. Claude A. Bass (2000); Rev. D’Anna Gipson (2002); Rev. Fredrick Taylor (2004); Rev. Dr. Claude A. Bass (2009); Rev. Lummie Hearn (2012); Rev. Cassandry Redmond Keys (2013); Reverend Micheal K. Williams (2015); Rev. David Hartfield-Dyels (2018) Rev. Willie McDaniel (Present).
We thank God for blessing us far beyond what we can even ask or imagine.
