About Us
Our Vision
We are a multi-cultural, multi-dimensional, multi-generational community of faith supporting the local, national and global community. We do this through a personal relationship with God in worship, living in community with each other and serving our communities.
Our Mission
We are a community of faith committed to Outreach, Christian Education, Christian Fellowship and Community Service.
Our Pastor
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Reverend Sharon Codner-Walker, a native of Jamaica West-Indies was born to the beautiful Felecia E. Brown. She is the middle child of three. Her two brothers are the beat of her heart. She migrated to Brooklyn, New York in 1974 and has lived in Brooklyn since. As a child of God and a proclaimer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for over twenty years, Reverend Walker follows Christ’s blueprint as advocate for the voiceless, the friendless, the broken, the battered, the discarded, the discounted, the disenfranchised and those suffering emotionally, physically and spiritually. Serving others at the church, at hospitals, shelters, soup kitchens or on street corners is her call and heart’s desire. It was not until 1987 that Reverend Walker received divine life direction and surrendered completely to God’s call. Although she knew very early in life she had been elected to bring others to the saving knowledge, grace, hope and love found in Christ, she’d hoped she could do her thing and yet remain about Christ’s business. She learned quickly that her call was not to be a shared experience.
Reverend Walker was nurtured in the Christian faith and the Gospel ministry at the Baptist Church of the Redeemer in Brooklyn; at the New Cornerstone Christian Church, in Queens, New York and at Rivers in the Dessert: Zoe Life Ministries, in Harlem, New York. Her early scholastic instructions occurred at local Public and High Schools in Brooklyn. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree, with concentrations in Human services, Counseling and Psychology, a Master of Arts degree, and a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where she graduated with honors and bestowed the “Maxwell Fellowship Award” for Excellence in ministry. After graduate achievements Reverend Walker trained and served in Clinical Residencies in the role of Chaplain. She served at Brookdale Hospital; New York Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center and the Hospital for Special Surgery, in New York.
Reverend Walker’s clinical trainings equipped her for exemplary service to countless numbers of people throughout the five boroughs. She has served as counselor and director for HIV/AIDS Education Programs for adults and “At Risk Teens, ”facilitator and manager of outreach ministries focused on meeting the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of individuals and the family unit through the “Fishes and Loaves Ministry” in Brooklyn and in Harlem, New York.
During her 29-year tenure as minister and Clinical Board Certified Clinician and Chaplain, Reverend Walker has served as Deacon, Pastor at “New Church Starts”; Facilitator for Battered Women Empowerment Groups, Seminar Leader, and Counselor for men and women mainstreaming back into society after incarceration. She further served as Bereavement and Grief Counselor, Debriefing Trauma Specialist, following the horrors of September 11th 2001, and as Spiritual Care Leader following the tragic earthquake in Haiti. She spearheaded community outreach and supports to the Haitian community throughout Flatbush, Brooklyn with assistance through the office of the Bishop affiliated with Brooklyn’s largest Roman Catholic Churches. She further extended herself in the service of memorializing families unaccounted for assisting them with closure. She continues to provide spiritual and emotional supports within the hospitalized the in-firmed, the imprisoned and the terminally ill.
Reverend Walker served as Pastor at the United Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Brooklyn, for 14 years until 2017. In 2018 Rev. Walker answered the call to the office of the Pastorate and Chief Servant at Stuyvesant Heights Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Under her leadership God has graced this ministry with spiritual and numerical growth, new program developments and the best leadership team in Brooklyn. She also serves on the Northeast Region Futuring Team, as member of the Northeast Regional Board and as Chair of the Commission on the Ministry.
Reverend Sharon Walker is married 28 years to Donald Walker and the two are the proud parents of their daughter, a gift from God, Ms. Leah Arielle Walker.
What We Believe
ARTICLES OF FAITH
God
We believe there is one true, holy God, eternally existing in three equal persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the beginning, God demonstrated His power, wisdom, and goodness by creating the world and everything in it. Through His divine power and providence, God continues to sustain His creation, operating within history to fulfill His redemptive purposes.
The Bible
We believe Scripture (Old and New Testaments) in its entirety originated with God and He revealed it to chosen authors. Scripture speaks with the authority of God while simultaneously reflecting the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of these human authors. We hold that the Scriptures, in their original manuscripts, are infallible and inerrant; they are the unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice. There are no other writings similarly inspired by God.
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the work of redemption to the sinner. Originally created to be in relationship with God, mankind defied Him by going their own independent way, resulting in alienation from Him and the innate inability to please God. This fall took place at the beginning of human history; since then, all people have suffered these consequences and are in need of the saving grace of God.
The salvation of humanity is completely a work of God’s free grace; it is not in any way the result of human works or goodness. Each person can receive salvation by repentance and faith. God’s Word assures individuals that He will continue His saving work in them forever.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the eternal second person of the Trinity, was fully united with a human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived in perfect obedience to the Father, voluntarily paid the price for the sins of all people by dying on the cross as their substitute, and satisfied divine justice, bringing salvation to all who trust in Him alone. After His physical death, Jesus Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father as the only intercessor between God and humans. He promises to return to earth, personally and visibly, to fulfill history and the eternal plan of God.
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit applies Christ’s saving work by enlightening the minds of sinners to their need to be saved. He renews and indwells each believer upon salvation, becoming their source of assurance, strength, wisdom, and gifting for building up the church. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Bible. Appropriated by faith, His power and control empower believers to lead a life of Christ-like character and bear fruit for the Father’s glory.
Baptism
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward commitment to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe the decision to be baptized is up to the individual and that he or she must fully understand what it means to be a Christ follower.
Communion
During Jesus’ last days, He gathered the disciples in a room and asked them to consume bread and wine “in remembrance” of Him. Two thousand years later, we regularly observe the act of consuming bread and grape juice as a community for the exact same reason—to remember our Savior, who sacrificed Himself for our sins.
5-fold Ministries
We believe in the 5-fold ministries (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers) to equip believers in Christ to do the work of service.
History
Stuyvesant Heights Christian Church, Disciples of Christ is the oldest Disciples of Christ Church in the
Metropolitan New York Area organized by Blacks. It has occupied this present property at 69 MacDonough
Street since 1944.
1928 – S.H.C.C. originally known as Calvary Christian Church began with Bible class organized by Rev.
William Montague Johnston, located at 213 West 12 th Street, New York City.
December 1928 – Church relocated to 82 Irving Place, Brooklyn, New York. Rev. Johnston remained the
pastor.
February 1931 – Church relocated to 456 Halsey Street, Brooklyn, New York. Its name was changed from
Calvary Christian Church to Halsey Street Christian Church, in the tradition of Disciple Churches.
February 1932 – Rev. Ralph Watson was called as Pastor. He served faithfully for five years.
April 1937 – Rev. Raphael Hancock was called as Pastor. Under his leadership in 1940 the Church relocates to
a loft at 1440 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. The congregation grew and so did the dream of a bigger church home.
January 1944 – This building in which we now worship was purchased and incorporated as Stuyvesant Heights Christian Church. Rev. Hancock served faithfully for 16 years.
March 1954 – Rev. Richards Saunders and family became the Pastor and first family of Stuyvesant Under his
leadership the Church moved forward instituting new programs such as the Christian Women’s Fellowship,
Christian Men’s Fellowship and Youth Fellowship. Rev. Festus Carey, along with Rev. Winifred Shaw served
as Associate Pastors during this time.
May 1967 – The Parish Hall was destroyed by fire. Afterwards, a basement was constructed. Today we know it
as the Fellowship Hall.
June 1980 – Rev. Saunders departed this life and thus began a new era for the Church. Until a Senior Pastor
was called, the Congregation was led by the Elder Board, and Rev. Festus Carey who served as Pulpit Supplier.
1981 – The late Rev. James C. Brooks was called as Pastor. He served three years.
1984 – Rev. Richmond Nelson of Jamaica W.I. was called to serve as Interim Pastor along with Rev. Winifred
Shaw and Rev. Lonnie Oates.
1987 – After searching four years for a pastor, Stuyvesant Heights Christian Church extended the “Letter of
Call” to our current pastor, Rev. Cornelius Brown. He preached his first sermon February 1987. Under his
leadership the Church accomplished the following:
The Church Secured the Certificate of Occupancy which led to the establishment of the Emergency Food
Pantry and weekly Soup Kitchen programs.
Our community acclaimed Early Childhood Learning Center and Summer Day Camp were opened.
Our Church Office was upgraded with the latest office technology and state of the art security system was
installed.
Renovation of the Sanctuary, Church Structure and Parsonage.
Van Ministry and Computer training for church and community members were started.
In 1998 – An After School Program was instituted which provided tutoring for children in our Church as well as the community.
Sept. 2000 – The General Board unanimously voted to dedicate the Upper Level Learning Center in memory of Elder Henry Holland. The Center is known as the Henry Holland Fitness and Nutrition Center.
May 2001 – Forever Young Senior Ministry was officially added to our ministry. This new Fellowship is the
first to combine men and women 60 years and older as an organized group.
2002 – Our Multimedia Ministry was started in an effort to get the word out to the community.
2003 –Witnessed our First Annual Senior Day in May sponsored by our Forever Young Senior Ministry.
November 2003 the church celebrated its 75 th Anniversary.
In May 2004 we began a massive renovation project which included both the exterior and interior of our church building. On November 14, 2004, our 76th Anniversary, we celebrated the burning of our mortgage.
July 1, 2006 –June, 2016: SHCC partnered with Ft. Greene Senior Council to add the Fort Greene Stuyvesant
Heights Senior Center as part of our senior ministry. This program helps minister to the seniors in the
community with meals and activities. Now located at Cornerstone Baptist Church, several of our senior
members remain active in its daily programs, classes, and fellowship.
Summer, 2009 – The church sanctuary was blessed through fundraising efforts to now have a fully functioning
air conditioning and heating system installed for both the church and day care areas.
In the Fall, 2016, our ministry in the community continued to grow as our day care expanded to include the
NYC Department of Education’s Universal Pre-K Program.
In 2017, we began a new chapter in Stuyvesant Heights began, as Rev. Brown announced his retirement at the end of the year. After 30 glorious years, in June, 2017, the church honored Pastor Brown with a celebration, highlighted with a banquet, and concert featuring Minister Byron Cage, and the SHCC Reunion Choir.
Throughout the years, we have ordained seven (7) Christian Minister, most recently, Minister Nontrell Taylor
who now serves as pastor of the Williamsburg Christian Church.
We have always been blessed with a rich and diverse music ministry. Mr. Thomas Lily served Stuyvesant
faithfully for 38 years. He was followed by a host of gifted and talented musicians including Ronnie Fleming,
William Thomas, Elliott Lamour, Eugene Wallace, Victor Washington and the All Purpose Orchestra (A.P.O.)., Keith Adolphine, Domonique Wallace, and our current music director, Wayne Walker.
In 2018, we begin a new journey, as Rev. Sharon Codner-Walker officially began her ministry at Stuyvesant
Heights, now serving as the new Senior Pastor. She brought forth her first sermon on January 8, 2018. Under
her leadership, we have witnessed the growth with new members, implementation of new ministries such as our Bereavement Ministry, and witnessing the renovations of our day care and sanctuary windows. Through her eight years of pastoring our church, we salute Pastor Walker, as she has brought our church through a pandemic and with the support of the leadership of our church, we were able to reopen our doors to the community in the fall of 2020, restructure our day care and UPK programs, continuing to feed the sheep throughout the community, and through it all, we know, the best is yet to come.
As we celebrate our 98th Anniversary, we continue our 10th decade of ministry, countdown to our 100th
anniversary. Our History is our Testimony of Faith! We pause to remember from whence we came. We give
God all the Glory, Honor, Praise and thank HIM for those who helped shaped the foundation of HIS great
church. We ask God’s blessing upon this church in our trials and in our triumphs for truly God is DOING A
NEW THING HERE at Stuyvesant.