Emmanuel Community Christian Church (Emmanuel CCC), a protestant Christian congregation “with a special ministry to the gay/lesbian community,” formed in 1986. Early on, Emmanuel CCC held weekly nondenominational worship services and social gatherings in a space rented from the West Shore Unitarian-Universalist Church, 20401 Hilliard Boulevard. Emmanuel CCC maintained a predominantly LGBT+ congregation, though its services were open to Christians of all backgrounds and denominations. In addition to welcoming LGBT+ individuals to join its congregation, Emmanuel CCC became actively involved in addressing the “various issues and needs of the Gay/Lesbian community, including social, political, and health concerns” through its programming, social events, and community outreach efforts. In 1987, Emmanuel CCC joined the national Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC). The newly-christened Emmanuel Metropolitan Community Church (Emmanuel MCC) later moved its services to the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland before finding a more permanent space in a rented storefront at 10034 Lorain Avenue. After affiliating the the UFCC, Emmanuel MCC’s membership gradually declined following a series of disputed between local, regional, and national MCC leadership. In December 1993, members of Emmanuel MCC voted to officially separate the church from the national Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. Following its split from the UFMCC, the newly-independent Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Church (Emmanuel CFC) was financially devastated after being forced to surrender its financial assets to the national UFMCC. Despite this financial setback, Emmanuel CFC continued to hold weekly worship services and social events at its 10034 Lorain Avenue location. After operating for roughly 14-and-a-half years, Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Church closed in September 2000.
Additional information coming soon.
Resources
- Barnum, George. “Gay Community.” Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.
- Beaney, Kevin. “EMCC Opens Walls, Offers A Spiritual Community.” Gay People’s Chronicle. March 19, 1993. Page 15.
- “Emmanuel C.C. Church.” Gay People’s Chronicle. April 1986. Page 6.
- “Emmanuel CCC Adds Midweek Meeting.” Gay People’s Chronicle. August 1986. Page 3.
- “Emmanuel Holds Ceremony.” Gay People’s Chronicle. September 1986. Page 3.
- “Emmanuel Midweek Meetings.” Gay People’s Chronicle. September 1986. Page 3.
- “Emmanuel’s Doors Are Closing.” Gay People’s Chronicle. September 22, 2000. Page 6.
- Harper, Charlton. “Emmanuel Church Severs Ties With MCC Federation.” Gay People’s Chronicle. June 10, 1994. Page 3.
- Holland, Darrell. “Gay Church to Install New Pastor: Congregation of 23 Hopes to Obtain Larger Quarters.” Plain Dealer. September 23, 1989.
- Klasek, Faith. “Pastor Williams Joins MCC.” Gay People’s Chronicle. September 1989. Page 6.
- Kukoleck, Kevin. “Dispelling Rumors.” Gay People’s Chronicle. December 1987. Page 3.
- “MCC Celebrates.” Gay People’s Chronicle. November 1988. Page 14.
- “McLain to be Installed as Emmanuel Associate Pastor.” Gay People’s Chronicle. May 21, 1999.
- Roger. “The Good News.” Gay People’s Chronicle. April 1991. Page 17.
- Roger. “The Good News.” Gay People’s Chronicle. January 10, 1992. Page 17.
- Roger. “The Good News.” Gay People’s Chronicle. October 1990. Page 15.
- Roger. “The Good News.” Gay People’s Chronicle. October 1991. Page 21.
- Tabell, Susan J. “Emmanuel MCC is Growing.” Gay People’s Chronicle. December 1989. Page 13.
- “The Good News.” Gay People’s Chronicle. August 1990. Page 12.
- “The Good News.” Gay People’s Chronicle. February 1990. Page 14.
- Williams-Smith, Kathleen J. “Don’t Forget MCC.” Gay People’s Chronicle. November 1989. Page 3.