History

January 8, 1977, Reverend Charles Foster Smith, his wife Yvonne (pictured above), and their two children moved from the service of Breeding Tabernacle C.M.E. under the Pastorate of the late Reverend Arthur C. McClendon Sr. to begin a mission church (Breeding Mission).​

Breeding Mission Church was organized in the home of Sis. Beatrice Mondie, with a total of seven (7) charter member. In addition to the pastor’s family and Sis. Mondie, Carl Jones, Francis Jones, Carla Jones and Ronald Beck were charter members. Some of the foundationalmembers of McClendon included Cornelia Mosley, Annie Wortham, Merleen Smith, SamuelMinor and Linda Minor, Jimmy Kirby, and Valerie Williams.​

On July 18, 1977, the church name officially changed to McClendon Tabernacle C.M.E. Church (MCT) and a few months later (September 1977), MCT moved into its very building located at 2502 North Station, Indianapolis, IN 46218.

​September 1980, McClendon (through our Bishop P. Randolph Shy and Elder H. L. Burton) purchased the church’s current location at 2506 N. Gale Street, Indianapolis, IN 46218. On May 13, 1990, the church mortgage was paid in full.​

The Church Annex was purchased in 1987. In 2013 the Annex was dedicated and renamed the Yvonne Smith Annex.​

In 2007, Gleaner Scholarship Fund was created at MCT to help further the education of members matriculating to college. In 2013, the MCT scholarship was renamed to then Rev. Charles Foster Smith Scholarship.

July 20, 2013, Pastor Charles Foster Smith retired and August 2013 a new chapter of MCT began when Rev. James Melton Sr. was appointed Pastor. Pastor Melton and his wife, Rev. Tara and their three children moved from the service of Phillips Temple C.M.E. Church.​

The church has maintained a Sunday school (Learning Hour of Power), Wednesday Bible Study and Vacation Bible School. Under Pastor Melton’s leadership, a new dance ministry was introduced (God’s Property) and the church inaugurated their Neighborhood Easter Fellowship, Hallelujah Night and McClendon Scholars was implemented. McClendon also started outreach ministries for women and men, Room Full of Sisters and Men’s Fellowship.

Praise God for great spirit filled leaders and members at MCT. At MCT, we know God’s lovenever quits and we know the best is yet to come!