ABOUT US

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain to build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1

MISSION

To create a worshiping community of believers who: are led by the Holy Spirit and focused on kingdom building through; discipleship, community engagement/collaboration, and worship.

VISION

To build harvest workers; committed to relative ministry for all ages and walks of life and to be in Christian love and harmony with all people, especially those of the house whole of faith.

VALUES

God
Discipleship
People
Community

HISTORY OF MARTIN TEMPLE

The Martin Temple story began in 1946 at 5733 State Street with members of abiding faith, strong leadership and a loving congregation. Martin Temple was an outcome of a law passed during World War II which stipulated that persons employed when drafted were guaranteed their previous jobs when discharged from military service. The Rev. R.H. Collins Lee, founding pastor of Martin Temple, was pastor of Greater Walters when he was drafted to serve in the war, and upon his discharge, assumed he would be returned to his previous position, but another pastor had already been appointed to that position. Thus, the Presiding Bishop, Bishop John W. Martin, gave Rev. Lee authority to organize another AME Zion church in Chicago in 1946, and that was the beginning of Martin Temple AME Zion Church, named in honor of Bishop Martin.

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MEET THE PASTOR

Rev. Dr. James E. Davis, III was born in Jackson, Mississippi on August 16, 1982, to James and Minnie Davis. Being apart of a military family they traveled to several different states and countries before settling in Fayetteville, NC when Rev. Davis was in the sixth grade. Rev. Davis graduated from Seventy-First High School in 2001 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fayetteville State University in 2006 where he pledged and became a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He earned a Master of Divinity Degree from United Theological Seminary and a Doctored of Ministry from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary with a concentration in Black Church Studies with a focus in Stewardship. Rev. Davis has a love for music and ministry. He was serving as a church musician until God called him to do more. In 2004 he accepted his call into the preaching ministry and started pastoring in 2007 at Clark’s Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.

Rev. Davis is a former educator serving as Director of Bands at Lewis Chapel Middle School and his Alma Marta, Seventy-First High School. During his tenure at Seventy-First, he was able to grow the band program by chartering a new course which brought the first “Show Style” marching band program to the school along with landing them their first NC State Championship in 2014. In 2019, Rev. Davis was appointed as the Assistant Band Director at Shaw University. He was serving as the Pastor of Grace A.M.E. Zion church in Raleigh, NC. Until called to serve Martin Temple AME Zion Church in Chicago, Illinois. On May 20, 2006, Rev. Davis married Dachia Davis. Above all he believes his biggest ministry is being a father to his children, Jaylen, Deivonte, Tyller, Jameson and Josiah.