It was under Rev. Campbell’s leadership that one Cleveland’s first true audio booth was built, and I had the pleasure of being the first engineer for the broadcast and making cassettes for many to purchase.
By JAMES W. WADE III
Staff Reporter
Temple Baptist Church has always been known for its great preaching and singing. As the cross lit up Cedar Avenue for blocks at night, as you walked into the radio broadcast each Sunday night, you can hear the choir singing “The Lord is on my Side.”
Although the ever-shining Temple church cross has been a beacon of light on Cedar Avenue for 59 years, the church is now moving to a new location.
The location of 7500 Cedar Avenue will never be the same.
In order for you to understand Temple Baptist, we must start from the early days with the Rev. Eugene W. Ward Sr., preaching and singing, to the Radio Combined Choir lifting up praise through song to know how they inherited the name of the “Great Big Family.”
The late Beatrice Frost is on record as being the first musician Temple had before the days of the late, great James Earl Hines, William Charles Sims, and Aaron Holbrook. Now, the church has had so many musicians that I am not going to try to name everyone but I have to mention a few like Donald Thomas, Lloyd Palms, Bill Lawson, Jimmy Pleasant, Rev. Eddie Montgomery, Betty Floyd, Jimmy Meely and James W. Wade II who spent 40 years there.
Shortly after Temple was organized, Professor Hines developed a radio choir that was second to none. Under his direction, Temple’s choir stand overflowed with voices divinely inspired. The Radio Combined Choir was known throughout the country. It was under the guidance and direction of Professor Hines, with the assistance of Professor Sims. The Radio Combined Choir, later known as the Hour of Consolation Choir, made the first of what would be several gospel music recordings.
Music has always been a vital part of Temple’s praise and worship. They have been blessed with many talented musicians and choirs that have been under the direction of faithful and devoted leaders.
Now don’t get me wrong the church has always had some good preaching too.
Pastoral History:
Reverend Eugene W. Ward, Sr. - 1952 until 1971
Reverend A.E. Campbell, Jr. - 1971 until 1993
Reverend Kevin E. Rogers - 1994 until 1995
Reverend C. Vincent Berry - 1995 until 1998
Reverend Sedric D. Veal, Sr. - 1999 until present
It is under the leadership of the current Pastor Sedric D. Veal, Sr., that the Temple Baptist Church is preparing to move to a new location. Veal is driven to equip the members, which he has been given charge, with the necessary tools for their various ministries within the church for the sole purpose of magnifying the Lord with a spiritual call to be fitted, focused, faithful and fruitful.
Rev. Dr. A. E. Campbell Jr. succeeded Rev. Ward Sr. and carried on the rich tradition of Temple’s preaching and singing. Rev. Campbell’s gift rung loud and clear all over the United States but it was on Cedar Avenue where you could hear him ask you to join in with a verse and a course of his favorite hymn “Pass me Not.”
Or could it be when he near the end of his sermon and raised his hand to say “Good evening, Temple. I have to leave you” while the late Rev. Jesse Harris “hollered preach it Rev.”
It was under Rev. Campbell’s leadership that one Cleveland’s first true audio booth was built, and I had the pleasure of being the first engineer for the broadcast and making cassettes for many to purchase.
Sunday night broadcast drew people from all around the state of Ohio, both Black and White. If it was the Sunday before a holiday, you knew no one was going home before 1 or 2 a.m.
Today Rev. Veal preaches and teaches and continues to bless the Temple as they move from Cedar Avenue to Noble Road. So between now and October 22, ride pass 7500 Cedar Avenue and wave goodbye to the church building. But, the rich history of Temple Baptist Church can never be erased.
