History
A Legacy of Faith, Service, and Community
Founded in 1953, New Fellowship Baptist Church began with the vision of Rev. A. L. Mays, who answered God’s call to lead a small group of believers seeking to establish a Christ-centered ministry in Cleveland. What began as a mission meeting in his home quickly grew into a thriving congregation, leading to the organization of New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.
As the congregation continued to grow, the church purchased its first permanent home on Pasadena Avenue, providing a place where members could worship, grow in faith, and serve the community. Through faithful stewardship and God’s abundant blessings, the church quickly outgrew its original facility.
In 1956, New Fellowship reached another historic milestone by purchasing its current church home at 1230 Parkwood Drive. The congregation marched into its new sanctuary on June 15, 1956, marking the beginning of a new chapter of ministry and growth.
Soon after moving to Parkwood Drive, the congregation invested in expanding and beautifying the church. Improvements included the addition of new ministry space with offices, a choir room, a nurse’s room, a brick exterior, updated flooring, improved parking, and new furnishings—demonstrating the church’s commitment to providing an excellent place for worship and ministry.
A defining moment in the church’s history came on May 23, 1965, when the congregation celebrated the burning of the mortgage for the Parkwood Drive building. This milestone reflected the faithfulness, sacrifice, and generosity of the members who worked together to retire the church’s debt and dedicate the building completely to God’s service.
Throughout his forty years of leadership, Rev. Mays established a strong spiritual foundation by expanding the church’s ministries, strengthening Christian education, supporting graduating students through an education fund, and mentoring ministers who would go on to pastor churches throughout the region. His visionary leadership positioned New Fellowship as a respected congregation within the Progressive Baptist District Association, the Ohio Baptist State Convention, and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
In 1993, Rev. Dr. Frederick Sebastion Knuckles, Sr. was called to serve as Pastor. Building upon the strong foundation established by Rev. Mays, Pastor Knuckles has led New Fellowship into a new era of spiritual growth, community engagement, and ministry excellence.
One of the most significant accomplishments under Pastor Knuckles’ leadership was the completion of the Rev. Dr. A. L. Mays Annex, a major building addition that expanded the church’s capacity for education, fellowship, and ministry. Completed in 1991, the Annex became a lasting tribute to the church’s founder and a valuable resource for future generations. The mortgage on the Annex was later paid in full and celebrated with a mortgage-burning service in 2000, once again demonstrating the congregation’s faithful stewardship and commitment to financial responsibility.
Under Pastor Knuckles’ leadership, New Fellowship has expanded worship opportunities, developed ministries for children, youth, couples, singles, women, and seniors, strengthened Christian education, embraced technology in worship, and continued improving the church campus to better serve both the congregation and the surrounding community.
The church has also become known for building strong partnerships with schools, healthcare organizations, and community agencies to address both spiritual and practical needs. These partnerships have resulted in tutoring programs, health and wellness initiatives, food assistance, family support services, and outreach efforts that have positively impacted thousands of families throughout Greater Cleveland.
Today, New Fellowship continues to extend its ministry beyond the church walls. Through community outreach, disaster relief efforts, educational initiatives, and strategic partnerships—including leadership of the Greater Cleveland Faith-Based Save Our Babies Initiative—the church continues to provide hope, resources, and compassionate care to families throughout Northeast Ohio.
For more than seventy years, New Fellowship Baptist Church has remained committed to its mission of “Touching the World with Love.” Guided by biblical truth, compassionate service, and unwavering faith, the church continues to build on its rich legacy while looking with great anticipation toward the future God has prepared.
