The History of:
Womack Temple
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Womack Temple Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was founded on January 23, 1927, at 3:00 pm in a small store front on a street formerly known as Oak Street in Inkster, Michigan with a membership of twenty-seven men and women. The current name of the street is Carlysle. Rev. Arthur W. Womack Pastor of St. John C.M.E. Church located in Detroit conducted the first religious ceremony. Subsequently, the church was named after Rev. Womack. Bishop James Arthur Hamlett, Presiding Bishop, assisted Rev. Womack. Many other ministers from Inkster and Detroit were also in attendance. Rev. N.C. Hall was the very first minister assigned to Womack.
The first Steward Board members were Messrs. C.O. Williams, Waldo Sargent, Thomas Jones, D.W. Goodson, William Cowan, O.W. Orange, and Nelson Lee. Mr. Waldo Sargent was the first Recording Steward.
The first Stewardess Board members were Mrs. Della Jones, Mrs. L.B. Goodson, Mrs. Lydia Williams, Mrs. Alberta Lewis, Mrs. Clara Glover, Mrs. Beatrice Wilson, and Mrs. Julia Washington.
The following people were assigned to the Trustee Board: Messrs. George Washington, William Cowan, David Glower, Frank LaStaff, Sr., O.W. Orange, and Nelson Lee.
The first President of the Missionary Society was Mrs. Gertrude Lee. Mr. O.W. Orange was the first director of the Senior Choir, Mrs. Ethel Sargent was the first pianist and Mrs. Della James was the first soloist.
The Sunday School Department has been under the direction of many different Superintendents including Mr. O.W. Orange followed by Mr. Chester Adams, Mr. Hiram McNeely, Ms. Lula Wilson, Mr. Albert Duncan, Mrs. Rosa Nash, Mrs. Doris Clark, Mr. Booker Dozier, Mrs. Laura Heard, Mr. Leroy Clark, Sr., Minister Franchella Foreman, Ms. Dona’ Davis, Mr. Charles Woodson, Min. Paul Reyes and Mrs. Barbara Hardison.
Rev. Dotcy I. Isom, Sr., was the third minister of Womack. Under his leadership, a temporary structure was built at 28445 Cherry St., Inkster, Michigan. However, the structure would later be torn down. After the temporary building was torn down, services were held at the school workshop on Harrison and Michigan Ave., at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Thomas at 3214 Isabelle in Inkster, and in the old Smith Chapel Church.
During the leadership of Rev. Samuel A. Sea, who was the 8th Pastor of Womack, the congregation began to build a permanent structure, and the congregation grew more than double. The turning point in our efforts came when a special rally netted the church $1,003.80. Five men of the church paid $100.00 each along with Rev. Sea, who paid $115.00. These five men were: Mr. H.A. McNeely, Mr. W.H. Taylor, Mr. Charles Wilson, Mr. Alvin Wyman, and Mr. Arthur Thomas. Sharing with us was Bishop J.A. Bray who delivered the sermon for that rally.
Then on September 9, 1945, at 3:00 pm, the dream became a reality! The Day of Dedication was here! The congregation marched from the old Smith Chapel Church to the new Womack Temple located at 28445 Cherry Street with shouts of glee and joy. However, the building was not completed but it was “good enough” to hold services. Bishop Luther Stewart preached the Dedication Service.
On August 9, 1953, under the leadership of Rev. C.L. Roundtree who was the 10th Pastor of Womack Temple, the cornerstone of the church was laid, and the membership grew. The Prince Hall Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Michigan also took part in the ceremonies.
In 1954, a resolution was made at the General Conference to change C.M.E. from being the acronym, “Colored Methodist Episcopal” to “Christian Methodist Episcopal” to erase any stigma of curiosity or doubt of racism. This was adopted and legally changed in 1954. Also, under the leadership of Rev. Rountree, in 1957 Womack Temple became “debt free!”
Rev. W. A. Miller who was the 12th Pastor of Womack Temple, along with the guidance of Mr. Percy Reaves, made it possible for Womack Temple to secure a loan from the National Bank in the amount of $10,000.00 to install cushioned seats for the pews. 
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Thomas (pictured left) made it possible for the church to purchase a parsonage at 3118 Ash Street, Inkster, MI. Mr. Ulysses Thomas decorated the church. Rev. Campbell was also responsible for obtaining a new organ and many other church necessities.
In September of 1967 under the leadership of Rev. P.C. Campbell who was the 14th Pastor of Womack Temple, the parsonage was redecorated, aluminum siding acquired, and a new roof was put on.
From 1970-1984 the church continued to grow, each new Pastor brought his own gifts and leadership style. Under the pastorate of Rev. Collins Gray, Jr., the Board of Christian Education was organized. The first director was Mrs. Eva U. Thomas.
Womack Temple has been blessed with some very prestigious Associate Pastors. Rev. Randolph Britton moved to Inkster in 1941 and joined the Womack Family under Rev. Sea. Rev. Britton was called into the ministry and served faithfully for thirty-eight years. He then retired and returned to Womack as an Associate Pastor and served until his death.
Rev. Myrtle Morgan (pictured left, Mrs. Mildred Blanks, right) was one of the first two women in the Michigan-Indiana Annual Conference to receive Elders Orders. She was assigned to Womack as an Assistant Pastor at the 1977-1978 Annual Conference. Rev. Morgan served with Rev. Norman Ott and Rev. James Jenkins. She served with dignity and honor until her illness and death.
Under the leadership of Rev. Terrell A. Jackson who was the 22nd Pastor of Womack, the first church van was purchased, and two members of the congregation accepted the call into the ministry, Rev. Franchella Foreman and Rev. Thirl Hudson. Both are still serving exceptionally in their places of endeavor.
Under the leadership of Rev. John Clemons, Mrs. Jyll Reed, Mr. Jai Simon, Ms. Iris Tuddles, and Ms. Pearl Morris, partnered with Forgotten Harvest and have a weekly community food bank that distributes food to the Inkster Community. In addition, Rev. Clemons and Mr. Jai Simon acquired grants and funding to help with various community service projects for the residents of the City of Inkster and the surrounding areas. Womack Temple has a strong commitment to serving the community, as evidenced by its involvement in programs like the Score Program for senior citizens. Also, a thriving Food Program that feeds 400+ families on a weekly basis.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares even a global pandemic where we could not meet physically inside the building for nearly a year, Womack has persevered. We have had many innovative and creative ministers, all of whom have played an important part in aiding us in our efforts. Today as we celebrate our 97th Church Anniversary we are eternally grateful for their services and dedication, especially to those Twenty-Seven dedicated charter members that saw the need and responded to that need by laying the groundwork for our church home. Praise Be To God!