Senior Pastor

Reverend Oscar Rand served from 1931 -1953

 His motto was Park Road is going to shine.      

Park Road Community Church was organized June 7, 1931, in the home of Rev. Oscar L. Rand, 1244 Columbia Road, NW, Washington, DC. Rev. Rand used as his first text, “Stand Fast in the Faith, quite you like men, be strong.” The following week a committee was formed to find a place to worship. Our church, located at 1019 Park Road, NW, was purchased at a cost of $20,000 with an initial payment of $1000, which was raised in 30 days. On August 1, 1931 we took possession of our property (a basement structure) and held our first service. Rev. Rand used as a subject, “A Strong Foundation.” 

We selected as the name of our church, Independent Methodist and affiliated ourselves with the Kodesh Church of Immanuel of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and remained in the organization until 1935. In 1936, we renamed our church Park Road Community Church and affiliated ourselves with The Council of Community Churches. On August 4, 1945 we burned our mortgage which gave us greater courage to continue to try to make Park Road Community Church shine.

Rev. Rand sang “Park Road Is Going to Shine” on many occasions while we worked, hoped, prayed, and looking forward greater days.

Rev. Rand was also one of two Vice Presidents of the National Council of Community Churches, now called the ICCC. When the predominately white and black bodies merged in 1950, the National Council of Community Churches became one of the most integrated church bodies in America. Even though it was Rev. Rand’s desire to complete the building, he was not physically able to accomplish it. He, therefore, retired in March of 1953. 

 Reverend Burton served Park Road Community Church for 41 years as Pastor, before retiring.  Rev. Eugene W. Burton, Sr. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was called as the fifth pastor in June 1968 and was installed in November of 1968. He served as overseer of the construction of the upper structure of the church between January 1971 - December 5, 1971, 

In 1981, we celebrated our 50th Anniversary. A magnificent service was held culminating with the burning of the mortgage on our church.
Rev. Eugene W. Burton, Sr., empowered the membership of the Park Road Community Church to improve several areas of church life. He placed great emphasis on the youth and worked to increase those outreach efforts. During his tenure, Rev. Burton instituted the Nutritional Lunch Program. He also organized the church into various ministries and established the Scholarship Ministry for youth and young adults pursuing post-secondary education. Further, he organized several singing groups, including the Gospel Stars and the Women’s Mass Choir. Rev. Burton ordained several ministers including Reverends Alverna Nelson, Albert Sims, Earl B. Day, Shirley B. Cooper, Winston Burton, Carter Garner, and LaSandra Hayes. Minister Quinton Crawford and Reverend Carter Garner also served under his tutelage. Rev. Burton also trained many deacons and deaconesses. 

 Reverend Cooper was raised in Park Road- membership for over fifty years. She served as Pastor for 7 years. 

Prior to retiring, Rev. Burton recommended Rev. Shirley B. Cooper to serve as Interim Pastor until a new leader could be names. The membership affirmed the recommendation, and Rev. Cooper took the reins. Rev. Cooper stepped into the pulpit on November 8, 2009 preaching a fervent and thought-provoking sermon entitled, “We Can Build Up This House.” With that goal in mind, Rev. Cooper executed several initiatives including a focus on the youth ministry. Our youth have now assimilated into the mainstream of our worship services with designated Youth Day one Sunday of each month.
Rev. Cooper licensed and ordained Rev. Joanne L. Mason, ordained Deacon Leonard Tucker, Deacons Marion Bright, Malinda McNeil, and Marilyn Stevenson. In 2015, Rev. Cooper also ordained Rev. Dr. Seretha R. Pearsall and licensed Minister Paul L. Simms, Sr. 

During the week of Rev. Cooper’s installation in September 2011, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Sword of Spirit Bible Institute of Washington, D.C.
 

Rev. Dr. Shirley B. Cooper, a member of Park Road Community Church for over fifty years, also serves as a sturdy link connecting the Columbia Heights community to our church. Through her position with the Development Corporation of Columbia Heights, Rev. Dr. Cooper succeeded in securing a million-dollar loan to renovate the church’s apartment building. After a short illness, Rev. Cooper retired as Pastor of Park Road effective January 2019.
 

After serving as Assistant to Rev. Cooper during her illness and Interim Pastor for a year; on January 12, 2020, Rev. Dr. Seretha Renee Pearsall was elected as the 7thPastor of Park Road Community Church. 

Rev. Vernon Claire Sherman, the second pastor, served from March 1953 to June 1955. He was a gifted speaker. Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” For Rev. Sherman it was not his destiny to lead the Church into a brighter tomorrow; therefore, it was necessary to call another leader.

Rev. John T. Kellman of Bermuda was the third pastor. He possessed a very pleasing personality and introduced constructive and spiritual plans for uplifting God’s work. He organized The Editorial Staff. Mr. Andrew Briscoe, one of the charter member, was Editor-in-Chief, and Mr. Levi Dudley was Assistant Editor-in-Chief. Their work has been outstanding inasmuch as we have been able to save a significant amount of money by printing our own bulletins. An organ was purchased at the cost of $6,000. Rev. Kellman saw fit to tender his resignation after serving from July 1957 to March 1959.

Rev. Louis Miller of Washington, DC was the fourth pastor. The membership was greatly increased. On May 1962, Ground Breaking Ceremonies were held with Rev. Nelson Pierce officiating and a larger kitchen and a pastor’s study were added to the Church. A new choir loft was built. The annex was torn down, and a parking lot was constructed. In March 1964 a Testimonial was held honoring two of the charter members, Deacon James McMahon and Deacon Arthur Hazel. Deacon Hazel served as treasurer from 1931 to September 1963. Due to ill health, Rev. Miller was forced to submit his resignation after serving from March 1959 to November 1967.