Where Faith Meets Community

Tucked in the heart of Cleveland’s historic Union-Miles neighborhood, Avon Avenue Baptist Church is a true hidden gem. Since 1967, we’ve been committed to honoring God, serving our neighbors, and walking together in faith for nearly 60 years.

Our weekly rhythm includes:

  • Sunday School

  • Sunday Worship Services

  • Wednesday Prayer Meetings

  • Wednesday Bible Study

Our food pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon, providing groceries, and clothing when available, to anyone in need as part of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank network.

In the summer, our week-long Vacation Bible School is a highlight for all ages. Kids enjoy engaging lessons, fun crafts, and daily snacks, while adults dive into thoughtful, energizing Bible study. We close the week with a joyful celebration of everything we’ve learned and shared.

At Avon Avenue, we’re more than a church. We’re a community growing in faith, grounded in love, and moving in purpose. We’d love for you to join us.

Our Values & Beliefs

“Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” - John 13:34b-35, NLT

Over the years, Avon’s mission as a church has been defined in four words: Christ-Centered, Community-Concerned. Our calling is to embrace the love of Jesus Christ for ourselves, to display the love of Jesus Christ in the way that we live our lives, and to present the loving message of Jesus Christ so that people want to seek a personal encounter with the Lord.

We accomplish this through:
• Worship (honoring & praising God in spirit and truth)
• Discipleship (living and teaching a transformed life by the example of Jesus)
• Fellowship (gathering for worship, work, and fun)
• Relationship (connecting with our community by sharing and serving)

Our Senior Pastor

Rev. Mark David Ribbins

Rev. Mark David Ribbins is a Cleveland native with a deep passion for ministry, community, and service. Before stepping into the pulpit, he spent years working in his family’s Christian bookstore, a longtime fixture in the same neighborhood where he now pastors. He studied mass media communications at Cleveland State University, leading to a successful career in television, radio, and digital broadcasting, most notably as an on-air personality at 107.3 FM, The Wave.

After answering his call to ministry in 1997, Rev. Ribbins earned a Bachelor of Theology from Temple Bible College & Seminary. His ministry journey has included leadership roles at Calvary Hill Baptist Church, Imani United Church of Christ, and Evening Star Baptist Church. He also serves on the board of the McCreary Center for African American Religious Studies and works in education and outreach for Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Institute, helping to bridge healthcare gaps in the community.

As the pastor of Avon Avenue Baptist Church, Rev. Ribbins is dedicated to preaching, teaching, and empowering people to grow in faith. His leadership is rooted in a commitment to service, both inside and outside the church walls.

A devoted husband and father, he finds his greatest joy spending time with his wife Celeste and their daughter Julia. A diehard football fan and lifelong music lover, he’s always up for a conversation about faith, family, or the best jazz albums of all time.

Our Church History

On July 2, 1967, a group of believers, led by Reverend Thomas Edison Chapman, gathered in Cleveland, Ohio to form a new church. With guidance from seven local pastors, 101 people joined together. Rev. Chapman became pastor, and the church was named Avon Avenue Baptist Church.

In its early years, the church built a strong foundation. Pastor Chapman led with vision, guiding growth in faith, service, and community impact. Many members answered the call to ministry.

He also carried a vision for a new sanctuary. In 1978, the church paid off its first building and broke ground for a new one. After years of prayer and sacrifice, the congregation entered the new sanctuary in 1991.

After 28 years of leadership, Pastor Chapman passed in 1995. Reverend Frank J. Mickens, a founding member and associate minister, first served as interim pastor and was elected pastor in 1996. His steady leadership helped the church continue to grow and raise new leaders.

Pastor Mickens served until 2006. In 2007, Dr. Herbert Gater Jr. was elected pastor. During his first year, the church celebrated its 40th anniversary and paid off the sanctuary mortgage.

Dr. Gater served for seven years. In 2015, Reverend Donald Turner, a longtime member and servant leader, became interim minister.

After a season of prayer and searching, the church elected Reverend Mark David Ribbins as its fourth pastor in July 2018. Today, Avon Avenue Baptist Church continues to grow as a house of faith, service, and love—committed to God, connected to community, and ready for what’s next.