Rev. A. Charles McElroy, Sr., was called by God to preach the Gospel in the year of 1969. He was licensed and later ordained by the late Dr. Sandy F. Ray and the Cornerstone Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York. He attended Virginia Union University where he received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration and Virginia Union Seminary, where he received his Masters of Divinity Degree. While attending school in Virginia, he pastored Shiloh Baptist Church in Chesterfield County;120
and upon his graduation was called to pastor the Friendship Baptist Church in Riverhead, New York, where he has served for the past thirty-three years.

In a few short years, we have witnessed the unveiling of God’s “Man For All Seasons,” and we can see impressions left by him in many aspects of our community and church life. Out of a natural God-given concern for the poor and disadvantaged, our Pastor has served as Chairman for the Advisory Committee for Migrant and Disadvantaged Affairs. At the conclusion of his designated term of office, he was awarded a Certificate for Outstanding Service by BOCES. He served as alcoholic counselor for Rural New York Farm Workers, Inc. A maverick and pacesetter in many ways, Rev. McElroy was the first African-American to run for the office of Town Councilman in Riverhead, setting a precedent that has now opened the door for other talented and politically astute African-Americans. He is a member of the Riverhead Rotary Club and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of that same organization.

In 1988, Rev. McElroy instituted the Minority Business Entrepreneurship Program. This program offers the members of Friendship and the surrounding communities the opportunity to research ways and means to begin their own businesses, or expand an existing one. In 1990, Rev. McElroy was elected to the Board of Directors of the Long Island Head Start Child Development Services, Inc., Suffolk County Division.

In 1984, Rev. McElroy was elected to the office of Vice-Moderator of Suffolk County for the Eastern Baptist Association, which umbrellas about two hundred churches in Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties. In 1988, he was elected Moderator of the Eastern Baptist Association, and served four years with distinction and creativity.

In 1990 he was elected to the office of Recording Secretary of the Empire State Convention. He is also a gifted Bible study teacher and lecturer, and has conducted seminars on the subjects of church leadership, such as the “Ministers’ Workshop,” and “The Church in Proper Focus.”

In April of 1995, Pastor McElroy completed a course at the Citizen Police Academy, designed to sensitize community leaders to the overall work of law enforcement and its community interaction.

In addition to the above role and responsibilities, he also served on the Board of Directors of East End Arts Council, and is a member of the Riverhead Clergy Council.

Our Pastor has studied in prestigious educational institutions and has served in many honorable positions. However, first in his mind is his calling, as he continues to lead us by defining, designating, and doing the work of the ministry.