First Church

For the longest time, Bishop Timothy Clarke hoped that "The Honorable" would be one of his courtesy titles.

He always knew that he wanted to be a clergyman, but he also liked the idea of being a Congressman, he said recently in his office at First Church of God on Refugee Road.

"I love politics and the law," Clarke said. 'I wanted to be like Adam Clayton Powell."

Clarke, who was born in Brooklyn and reared in Queens, never met Powell, but viewed his body at Abyssinian Baptist Church

He has hosted political candidates and has served with issue-driven organizations, but has yet to run for public office. Instead, he has concentrated on the stronger calling.

Clarke knew Columbus before moving here from Warren in 1982, having guest preached at Wayne Avenue Church of God in 1976.

He began hiis stint at First Church of God in February 1982 when the congregation still worshipped at the building on Wilson Avenue. They moved to their current location, 3480 Refugee Rd. in 2000.

The new driveway on the 124-acre campus of First Church provides access to Millennium School.

First Church also is working with Mount Carmel Health for a freestanding health clinic as well as with the Columbus Housing Partnership.

It's difficult to ignore the size of the church, the congregation and the outreach of First Church.

"When I came here there was a smaller church, but a solid core who loved the church and wanted it to grow," Clarke said. "They followed leadership. There is no vision that I have cast for them which they have not been willing to follow."

A feeding program for seniors in the church and the community, a daily exercise program and works at the family life center contribute to the intergenerational mix at First Church.

"The buildings are a means to an end for us," Clarke said. "We are really excited about the lives we need to touch."

Now in 27th year as pastor at First Church, Clarke figures he wants to continue in that role for a dozen more years before retiring to North Carolina to work on his golf game. These days he tries to hit the links about once a week.

Sharing his ministry is First Lady Clytemnestra L. Clarke, affectionatley known as Sis 'C.' They have two grown daughters, Dionesha Clarke Logan and Joscelyn Renee Clarke.

First Church was founded in 1938 as a nondenominational Reform church with the Rev. J.W. Butler as its first pastor. His son, Clark, is still a member.

Now, the congregtion has about 5,000 members. Joining requires a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a public profession to be part of the church family, Clarke said.

First Church shares its history and lineage with the Church of God Reformation Movement based in Anderson, Ind. Although the church on Refugee Road is mostly black, the movement is about 20 percent black, Clarke said.First Church is also affiliated with the National Association of the Church of God, a group of black congregations, which has its headquarters in West Middlesex, Pa.

Clarke has served as presiding elder and a member of many boards.

Local pastors on whom he frequently calls include the Rev. Charles Booth of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Bishop Sherman S. Watkins of High Ground Always Abiding Assemblies, Senior Pastor Rich Nathan of Vineyard Church of Columbus and the Rev. Keith Troy of New Salem Baptist.

"I'm excited about what churches in our city are doing," Clarke said. "I have great friends and brothers in the ministry and great relations with men and women in the city across denominational lines."