Davis Chapel CME History 

In 1942, the California Annual Conference of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church assigned Rev. G.W. Davis to Richmond, California to organize a CME Church. Out of his earnings as a shipyard worker, Rev. Davis rented a Club House building on York and Gertrude Streets for $10 per month.  On the next Sunday after securing the building, Rev. Davis held worship service and received three members.  Thus, Davis Chapel Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was formed. 

The present site of Davis Chapel (369 Chesley Ave.) was purchased during the early months of 1943, for $300.  The second church structure, but the first at 369 Chesley Ave. was built, and Rev. Davis and 89 members occupied their new Church building at the corner of 4th and Chesley Avenue.  The congregation thrived and continued to grow throughout the war years. 

In 1948, Rev. S.R.H. Banks was sent to Davis Chapel, by which time the congregation had grown to 375 members.  Under Rev. Banks' pastorate, a building program was started with approximately $1,700 to build the new church edifice at 369 Chesley Avenue.  Construction on the new church building was started in 1955, and completed and dedicated in 1957.

Throughout its long history, Davis Chapel has been served by 20 dedicated and inspirational Pastors, many of whom have gone on to become Presiding Elders of the Oakland/San Francisco Districts, or to serve the church on the national level as a member of the Judicial Council. One of the Pastors, Rev. John B. Spearman, a son of Davis Chapel, served for 13 years.  This was the longest tenure of any of its Pastors.  Another, Rev. L.S. White was assigned as Davis Chapel's Pastor twice. 

Over the years the Congregation of Davis Chapel experienced many “firsts” in our history: the establishment of its own Credit Union; began a community tradition- “To Thee We Sing” Christmas Musical; purchased the first parsonage in the Oakland District; became a founding member of the Greater Richmond Inter-Faith Program (GRIP); one of the founders of Christ Ministry (in the Richmond community ); helped organize the Annual Pancake Breakfast to assist the blind and created a Prison Ministry at the West County Jail. 

On November 27, 2003, Thanksgiving Day, the beloved edifice burned down.  However, the church remains present and a vital part of the North Richmond community.  The church is continuing to work toward returning to 369 Chesley Ave.  The dream and the vision continues!