On April 03, 1936 a group of four persons along with Dr John Harvey organized the Peoples Community Church located at 5624-26 S. State Street. The name was later changed to W.D. Cook Memorial Church in memory of the founder of the first Black Community Church in Chicago and the first pastor of Metropolitan Community Church. After Dr. Harvey passed the Church Council met and voted to change the name to Harvey Memorial Community Church. Following the death of Rev. Harvey, several voted Rev. Paul Turner as the new minister. Rev. Turner served for many years, but he was finally relieved of his pastorate by the Church Council. The Church was then served by Rev. Bertha from 1947 until his death in 1964. Assistant Minister Rev. James Roberts was then installed as pastor. Due to unforseen issues that hindered the church, the building was taken by the city and the congregation scattered. Months passed until Lemora White and Gladys Johnson began contacting members to praise and worship God wherever available. Houses, motels, other church buildings and Halsted Terrace nursing home. It was there at Halsted Terrace Rev. Fred Dade agreed to serve as acting pastor. He remained as acting pastor from 1975 until early 1976 when he recieved a permanent position as pastor elsewhere. Then in the spring of 1976, Rev. Tellas Jackson came to Harvey to preside over Sunday services. Witnessing his sincerity and by the leading of God on April 16, 1978 the church congregation voted him in as it's pastor. Under Rev. Jackson's leadership Harvey purchased property on East 75th Street in 1982. It was then the dream of Rev. Jackson to build a church building from the ground up for he and the congregation. August 24, 1984 that dream came to pass closing the deal for the location at 7653 S Maryland in Chicago, IL. Due to the rapid increase in the congregation membership, Rev. Tellas Jackson realized that there was a immediate need for a larger place of worship and began putting into motion the negotating on a new facility in 1993. On November 13, 1994 Harvey Memorial Community Church located at 8400 S. Maryland Ave. Chicago, IL. was now a reality and till this day our present home our 20 year mortgage was paid off in 6 years. From humble beginnings, by the grace of God we continue to grow and do great things through Lord Jesus Christ. After serving 35 faithful years as pastor Bishop Tellas Jackson retired on April 28, 2013.
On Sunday May 5, 2013 Rev. Darrow D. Andrews was installed as our current pastor. Pastor Andrews is challenging us to reach outside of our four walls using Matthew 9:37-38 as his mandate. Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous but the labourers are few;