Gillis Memorial Church

Reverend Theodore C. Jackson, Jr

Pastor Emeritus

Rev. Dr. Theodore Clifton Jackson, Jr. was raised in the Gillis Memorial Church. He attended and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School, Baltimore, Maryland; Howard University, Washington, D.C., and Coppin State College, now known as Coppin State University, Baltimore, Maryland.

Rev. Jackson gained his administrative and ministerial experiences while serving as an intern in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Conference as Chaplain at the Anna Mae Hunter House for the Blind and while serving as Pastor of St. Matthew’s Church in Washington, D.C. and Herbert’s Chapel in Fairfield, Maryland. He left the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Conference and transferred to the United Council of Christian Community Churches of Maryland and Vicinity to assist his then ailing father, Rev. Theodore C. Jackson, Sr. He gained tremendous experience as he worked untiringly beside his father serving as Co-Pastor for the Gillis Memorial Church family. Upon his father’s death, he served as Acting Pastor until he was installed as Pastor on the first Sunday in November 1970. In 1971, less than one year after being installed as Pastor of Gillis Memorial Christian Community Church, Rev. Jackson received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary for his humanitarian service and ministry to the church and community.

Pastor Emeritus

Rev. Dr. Theodore C. Jackson, Jr.

Pastor Emeritus

Under his leadership, the church continued to grow to over 2,000 members, 28 associate ministers, 7 choirs, numerous Bible classes, and ministries between 1970’s and early 2000’s. Over the years, the church has distributed food, operated a clothing center and provided funds to assist with the gas and electric and medical bills, as well as for rent. Rev. Dr. Theodore C. Jackson, Jr. has rendered a life of dedication, loyalty and service to the church, the community and mankind. Through his service, many lives have been saved and many souls have come to Christ.

Gillis was known as “The Singing Church,” but teaching the Word of God was paramount. The church expanded within the community by purchasing property to expand the building and create a parking lot to accommodate the growing demand of the congregation. The $2 million addition serves as the Christian Education Center and administrative wing. It includes an elevator, baptismal pool, chapel, library, pastor’s study, boardroom, classrooms and administrative offices. Further, the church underwent a beautification project, which includes new stained glass windows in the sanctuary and a facelift for the church exterior.

Rev. Jackson taught Social Studies in the Baltimore City Public Schools for 34 years while pastoring the church. In addition, he served in the ministry for 45 years and is a highly respected civic leader and pastor. He has held numerous leadership positions for the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland and received countless awards, certificates and citations for his outstanding service that are displayed throughout the church and at his home.

Rev. Jackson loves to read the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Afro-American, Sun Paper and any other newspapers he can acquire. Along with reading the newspaper, he loves to watch the local, national and international news, as well as financial business television stations. When he was able, he could be seen travelling the city for a delicious lunch, visiting the near by “Gucci Giant” or the local mall and, of course, talking to the many people who would recognize him when he was out and about.

Dr. Jackson has been married to Marlene Jackson for almost 60 years. He has two daughters – the late Patricia Ann Jackson and Carla Jackson; two granddaughters – Tunia Hammonds and Carnita Cox; two grandsons-in-law – Husani Hammonds and Gary Cox; and five great-grandchildren – Kayla & Aiden Hammonds, Josiah Sellers, Peyten Cox & Joelynn Cox (on the way).