On June 5, 1912, a Prayer Band Group led by the late Mrs. Maggie Clark Wiggins, who had been meeting in prayer groups in a house, felt the need of a place to worship.  Permission was granted by the late Mr. John B. Cleveland for land to build a Brush Arbor.  The group met, organized and became the Cleveland Chapel Baptist Church in 1913.

               True devotion went into the first building.  The late Rev. J. W. Wilburn, the first pastor, and the group doing the building, singing as they worked, “Lean on, O King of Glory, We Will follow Thee, Thy crimson banner over us Shall a sign of triumph be.”  Thus, the first Cleveland Chapel.

                In succession of pastors after the Rev. Wilburn were:  Rev. Chad Lipscomb; Rev. J. H. Gilmore; in 1938, Rev. Green Allen Duncan; 1947, Rev. M. H. Hackett; 1948, Rev. Samuel Rapor; 1954, Rev. Ivey; 1959, Rev. J. R. Ezell; 1964, Rev. J. R. Whitmore; 1989, Dr. Barry W. Brown; and 2002 Pastor Timothy J. Brown., Sr.

                Rev. J. H. Gilmore served twenty years.  During his pastorate, the old church was renovated and the membership increased.  Mr. Albert Davis was called into the ministry.

               Rev. M. H. Hackett is noted for being the first pastor to improve the financial status of the church.  This also marked the beginning of the musical choir, and the first piano was purchased.

                During the pastorate of Rev. Samuel Rapor, the membership increased, and the Sunday School took on renewed vigor.  Rev. Rapor initiated our first big rally, raising a total of $500.  In 1950, the wooden frame church was then bricked.  Three deacons were added to the board.

                Rev. Ivey, during his pastorate, ordained one deacon, and Rev. Jimmy Kerns felt the call for the ministry.  He is now the pastor of Hardy Chapel Baptist Church.

                Rev. J. R. Ezell made a splendid contribution to the spiritual, intellectual and financial status of the church.  During his pastorate, we purchased new carpet, new pulpit set, new pews and gas heat.

                The Late Rev. James Whitmore came to Cleveland Chapel with enthusiastic.  It was evident from the beginning that he was ready to undertake the task of building the new Cleveland Chapel Baptist Church.  The Building Fund was started.  As a result, we were able to add bathrooms, a water cooler and a space for a parking lot. 

On March 23, 1970 the church ground was exchanged for the Asa Thompson School property, and on March 25, 1970, Rev. Benson Watt was employed to build the new church.  The church was dedicated on August 23, 1970.  However in 1972, tragedy struck in the form of a fire, destroying the newly built two-year old Cleveland Chapel.

On Monday, September 18, 1972, Rev. and Mrs. Whitmore and a devout group of members bowed in humble submission as they viewed the remains of the two-year old church.  However, the were given hope in the words of Rev. Whitmore, “Although we lost the building, we have not lost the Church; the Church is still in each one of us, thanks be to God.”

Rev. Whitmore wisdom and alertness was manifested in the business of rebuilding.  Rev. B. I. Watts was hired and a $60,000 church was begun immediately.  The new building was completed and dedicated in 1973.  On January 10, 1982, a mortgage burning ceremony was held to retire the bill.

In 1985, a $10,000 beautification program was begun.  New carpet, seat covers, and new pews for the choir stand were purchased.  The church was also painted.  In the 1986, the old Cleveland Chapel Church building was demolished to make space for a church cemetery.  In 1987, a $15,000 paving of the church yard and parking lot was completed.

Under Dr. Barry W. Brown’s leadership, Cleveland Chapel has seen a physical regeneration with: The purchased of the sanctuary organ; two transport vehicles; a set of drums; the renovation of the sanctuary; addition of vestibule facilities; the commission of the painting above the baptismal pool; and , the installation of a new roof.  Under Dr. Barry W. Brown’s leadership, Cleveland Chapel built a Family Life Center, in which was dedicated August 2000.

On Sunday, September 15, 2002, Pastor Timothy J. Brown, Sr. was installed as Pastor of Cleveland Chapel Baptist Church.  Under Pastor Timothy Brown youthful and energetic leadership, we have grown both spiritually and financially.  We have purchase new computers for staff; new copier for the office; and in the process of adding computer lab for our church family.  We have also added many new members to our church family, by Baptism, Christian Experience and Restoration. 

Under Pastor Brown’s leadership and guidance, Min. Nannie (Parham) Jefferies was called into the ministry. 

During these Ninety-One years, only Eleven pastors have served this church since its organization from the Prayer Band.  Each has served well and with dignity, devoting themselves to the members.

The faith and prayers manifested by the Prayer Band is now a reality.  Cleveland Chapel is the evidence of the unseen faith in 1912.