Reverend Doctor Elmer Martin

The Rev. Dr. Elmer S. Martin was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the late Rev. Elmer M. and Dr. Mary W. Martin. He attended Shelby State Community College in Memphis, Tennessee and the University of Tennessee in Martin, Tennessee. He received his Bachelor of Ministry Degree and Master of Ministry Degree from International Bible Institute and Seminary. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wilberforce University, a Master of Divinity Degree and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio. Additionally, Dr. Martin holds two Honorary Doctorate Degrees.

 Pastoral Journey

Dr. Martin has served in ministry for 46 years and has pastored numerous churches throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio. While Presiding Elder of the Western Kentucky District, he supervised thirty churches, started two new congregations, led voter registration drives, created  the  Minister and Lay Institute and established the first Presiding Elder’s office building. The following timeline is a testament to his “labor in the vineyard.”

1973 – 1974 Palestine A.M.E. Church, Memphis, Tennessee

• 50 – 75 members. Renovated Church with carpeting and painting of interior and exterior.

1974 – 1975 Wrights Chapel A.M.E. Church, Memphis, Tennessee

• 75 – 100 members. Refurbished church interior and also purchased vehicle for bus Ministry.

1976 – 1978 Primm Chapel A.M.E. Church, University of Tennessee

• 150 – 200 members. Built new church congregation in a campus town. The church was established under the auspices of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and named in honor of the Presiding Prelate, the Bishop Howard T. Primm.

1975 – 1980 New Lewis Chapel A.M.E. Church, Lexington, Kentucky

• 100 – 125 Church Membership
• Built new church edifice with an adjacent educational building. The new edifice will house 300 people. Elevated Church to new heights in Christianity and African Methodism culture.

1985 – 1987 The New Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, Jackson, Tennessee

• 340 Church Membership
• Purchased a new church building for the congregation
• Started the Daycare process
• Purchased real estate property

1985 – 1987 Asbury A.M.E. 1801 West Chestnut, Louisville, Kentucky

• 500 Church Membership
• Paid off two mortgages, built a parking lot, and renovated a parsonage
• Organized the West Louisville Ministry and aided people by paying utility bills, rent and furnishing clothing

1987 – 1991 Presiding Elder Western Kentucky District

• Supervised thirty churches started two new congregation, voter’s registration drive, formed the Minister and Lay Institute. Established the first presiding elder office building.

1991 – 2005 Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church, Hamilton, Ohio

• Increased the membership from 100 to 250 membership
• 1997 built a new edifice and remodeled old edifice into a daycare facility
• Went from a 100,000 to 1.5 million dollar church in total real estate value
• First African American Daycare in the Butler County area
• Purchased the property/land on both sides of the church.

2005 – 2014 Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Renovated the sanctuary, new carpet and lighting, stained the existing pews
• Burned the existing mortgage
• Paved the parking lot, new lifetime roof added
• Purchased the property/land on both sides of the church

2014 – 2021 Present Greater Allen A.M.E. Church, Dayton, Ohio –

• Renovated the restrooms/to comply with handicap accessibility
• Completed installation of the sanctuary carpet and carpet throughout the church
• Completed installation of lighting in the sanctuary
• Enhanced the church vestibule area
• Painted the interior walls of the church
• Installed new flooring in the Fellowship Hall which now can accommodate youth activities, as well as meeting and banquets
• Updated the church’s sound system to perfection
• Purchased property adjacent to the church
• Built a new garage to house our church van and maintenance supplies
• Completed blacktopping the church parking lot
• Installed new carpet at Upshaw A.M.E. Church, Dayton, Ohio.
• Most importantly, he is saving souls and adding to the membership, mentoring disciples eager to serve the Lord and the church

Organizations

Over the years, Dr. Martin has remained active and involved in many community organizations and has received numerous awards for his commitment. He is a member of Masonic Toussaint Lodge #19 Hamilton, OH and has been honored with “The United Supreme Counsel 33^rd Degree” from that Lodge. He was appointed President Advisory Council for University of Tennessee Systems for three years. Dr. Martin was appointed as the first black Planning Commissioner for the city of Lexington, TN by the City Mayor. While pastoring in Hamilton, OH, he organized the first chapter of NAACP in Lexington, TN. and became that chapter’s president. He is a former board member of United Way, Inc. and has served as a Rotarian for the city of Hamilton. Additionally, he was a member of that city’s Red Cross organization and Planning Commission.

Upon his arrival to Greater Allen A.M.E. Church, he immediately became involved with the Dayton community. He is an active member of the Dayton, Rotary Club, Minister’s Alliance and Dayton Lenten Caravan Inc. He is also a member of the Dayton Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. On May 26, 2015, Dr. Martin received that fraternity’s 33^rd Degree in Chicago, IL.

Dr. and Mrs. Martin arrived at Greater Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dayton, Ohio on November 9, 2014. Arriving early that Sunday morning, he was eager, vibrant and determined; filled with a message from the Lord to, “Go there and build up a Church.”  Richard Allen’s motto lives on through men like Dr. Martin who believes in giving God’s house the very best. His objective is to preach the Gospel according to the Word of God, to feed his sheep and direct them in the right path to attain the Promise Land. He desires to build new edifices and improve the house of the Lord. He also wants to seek the lost, promote a housing ministry, a prison ministry, and an employment ministry. When Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand assigned Dr. Martin to the 3^rd District, he stated, “Just go, the Lord will meet you there.”

Dr. Martin is thankful for his blessings, for what  the Lord has done, and for his twins, Grace and Mercy. He is forever grateful to Bishop McKinley Young, for giving him the opportunity to pastor Greater Allen A.M.E. Church, the Church that he fondly refers to as “The Church Five blocks from Heaven.” “To God be the Glory!”

Family

Dr. Martin is married to his wife of twenty-six years, Patricia. She will often mention in her introduction of him, “He loves the Lord, the AME Church, and his wife/family (yes, in that order). Together they have four children: Ricky, Lula (deceased), Blake and Heather; and five grandchildren, Micah, Alexis, Zion, Lucinda Patti and Haley.