Formerly, St. John Divine Church of the cross was founded in 1971 by the late Rev. John Jackson. Worship services were held in the basement of his home. In due time, the Lord added to the small congregation, and these “new” members encouraged others in their respective families to attend and ultimately become members – individuals from all walks of life fellowshipping together, lifting up the name of Jesus. Faithful and zealous in the things of God, these members began to eagerly work in the church forming and building auxiliaries and committees such as the mother’s board, the usher board, the prayer band and the choir.

Later, Rev. Jackson became ill and the Rev. Benson assumed pastoral responsibilities for a brief period of time. Upon Rev. Bensons departure, mother Itlene Mckenzie, the senior mother of the church, along with the Rev. Henry Robinson began to provide spiritual guidance to the membership.

After a brief period of time, the Rev. Henry Robinson was appointed and ordained pastor. Shortly after Rev. Robinsons appointment, the name of the church was changed to the St. John Missionary Baptist Church and the location changed from Hamilton Avenue to 359 Van Houten Street. Throughout the years, the church was nourished by the fervent, effectual prayers of the membership. They knew that God had a vision for St. John and they wanted to see the vision fulfilled.

Meanwhile, at Kean College of New Jersey, Union, NJ (1980), a small group of students desired to form a campus ministry which would meet their spiritual needs while they were away from their respective church homes. The Rev. Joel D. Rudolph was chosen to serve as the presiding minister for what was then called Interfaith Campus Ministries. In 1982, this small fellowship became an established church organization, which functioned on four college campuses (Upsala college, Kean College, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rutherford and Seton Hall University).

In 1983 Pastor Rudolph was asked to speak at St. John. At that time a bond was formed between Interfaith and the members of St. John. As the Lord began to unfold his vision, Pastor Rudolph was named interim pastor of St. John in 1984. A year later he accepted the pastoral position. As the years followed, the Lord began to develop his vision in the uniting of the two churches. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit and the obedience of Pastor Rudolph, the Interfaith Ministries and St. John Divine Missionary Baptist Church became united as the Christian Fellowship Center and Outreach Ministries.

In 1988. As the vision continued the Christian Fellowship Center of Cleveland, Tennessee was established in 1988.

We are blessed to be apart of a this mighty and miraculous move of God to form a close-knit, functioning body of believers called to minister to the city of Paterson, NJ, (the city of righteousness), and the world. The pastoral staff, leadership and members of the Christian Fellowship Center understand that it takes much prayer, faith and obedience to see the fullness of God’s vision manifested in our midst.

Christian Fellowship Center is a church that the word is building for generations to come.