Jenkins Memorial opened its doors on August 31, 1988. Jenkins Memorial is the Augusta District’s response to the late Bishop Joseph C. Coles’ call for planting a new congregation in each Presiding Elders’ District. Reverend Gene R. Dean, Presiding Elder of the Augusta District, reminded the church planners of Psalm 127:1, “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it…”

The Reverend Timothy R. Green, Jr., took the initiative by gathering statistical information, finding the land, organizing a building committee made of homeowners in the area, and coordinating the zone and financing of the land, while still Pastor of Miles Memorial C.M.E. Church of Augusta. The late Mr. J. Theodore Lawrence finalized financing plans and secured the property as a Trustee, along with Reverend Dean and Reverend Green. Bishop Coles provided the needed seed money to secure the property and directed the Reverend Walter Whelchel to supervise the moving of the modular Church from Hartwell to Hephzibah, Georgia.

The Georgia Conference Women’s Missionary Society and Lay Department gave $5,000.00 to supplement the Pastor’s salary. Other assistance was received from the late Reverend L. R. Neal and Reverend Trent Carr, who contributed to early discussions relative to the founding of the church, and the Reverend and Mrs. Timothy R. Green, Sr. donated an organ. Reverend J.E. Robinson, while serving as Pastor of the South Augusta Mission (1987- 1988) went on a letter writing campaign to raise funds and started prayer meetings with the late Reverend J.T. Smith and the now Rev. Dr. Mrs. Gwendolyn Smith in their home.

The first 21 members were comprised of the families of the Church’s Building Committee. The following joined the first two Sundays: Mr. Harry Brown, Mr. William Bosky, Mrs. Jean Outlaw, Mr. Butler Middleton, Mr. Charles Burns, Mrs. Dorthella Williams, and Mr. James White. On October 30, 1988, Bishop Coles consecrated the newly organized congregation with 77 founding members.

Our church is named for the late Solomon M. Jenkins who was an active member of Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and an outstanding layperson in the Denomination. He was a longtime Insurance Executive with Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company, a businessman of high standing and longtime benefactor of his Alma Mater, Paine College. His former affiliations include Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, American Legion, WWl Barracks, Ambassadors Club, Frontiers International and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. In memory of Dr. Jenkins, the family gave substantial financial contributions that enabled the church to build the current edifice.

In 1991, the church purchased an additional acre of land from Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Lee who later became members. The land gave the church 5 acres of land and 250 feet of frontage on Windsor Spring Road.

On August 2, 1992, the church opened the doors of the new worship center and educational building with a consecration service followed by the 115th Session of the Georgia Annual Conference with the late Bishop Joseph C. Coles, Jr., presiding.

The new church edifice contained a 400-seat sanctuary, 6 classrooms, 2 offices, fellowship hall built-in, communion chancel rail, baptismal, kitchen, and rest rooms. The cost of the construction was $300,000 and the Church was appraised at $475,000.

This dream became a reality because dedicated members, friends and contractors went above the call of duty to complete the work. The Presiding Bishop and the Quarterly Conference authorized Rev. Timothy R. Green, Jr., the late Mr. J. Theodore Lawrence, and Mr. Heyward Johnson to sign a $232,000 mortgage on behalf of Jenkins Memorial C.M.E. Church with Georgia Federal Bank. Mrs. Jean Outlaw initiated and helped negotiate the loan. She was then a bank officer with Georgia Federal Bank and Financial Secretary of the Church. The Georgia Annual Conference secured the loan and made significant financial contributions.

The other officers of Jenkins at the time of construction were: Mr. & Mrs. Elijah Holley, Miss Adria Andrews, Mrs. Ann Bryant, Miss Tiffany Conyers, Mrs. Rosalyn Conyers, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Culberson, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Edwards, Mrs. Beatrice Green, Miss Thedra Howard, Mrs. Carrie Lovett, Miss Tarsha Lovett, Mrs. Sandra Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Morris, Mr. Butler Middleton, Mrs. Gwendolyn Smith, Mr. Curley Tompkins, and Mrs. Bertha Washington. Rev. Gene R. Dean, Presiding Elder of the Augusta District encouraged other churches to support the construction financially. Lawson Graham and Associates served as project engineer and Mr. Nelson Accrum of Variety Construction served as construction supervisor and masonry contractor. This was a great achievement because God made a way for our Church Congregation of 200 members (at the time of construction) to accomplish this before its fourth birthday.

On May 1, 1994, a Corner Stone was laid by Bishop Nathaniel Linsey and the Pew Plaques were presented to the church. (The Gold plaque represents gifts of a minimum of $400.00, and the Silver’ Plaque represents gifts of at least $100.00). The Church acquired a piano, organ and sound system to support the music ministry. In May 1995, the Church received a donation of $23,000 and installed a 50-car paved parking lot.

In April 1997, we added an 8:00 a.m. Sunday Contemporary (come-as-you-are) Worship Service, Wednesday Noon-Day Bible Study, and paid for a new Baldwin Church Organ.

The Church is located on Windsor Spring Road in a high growth area of Richmond County Georgia where there are few black churches. The congregation has initiated a holistic ministry that attempts to utilize its five acres to help people grow spiritually, academically, and physically. An evangelistic brochure prepared by the church proclaims: “Our mission is to provide Christian alternatives to the social problems of today and divine hope for human despair.”

The church has grown to over 700 members over the short span of twenty years. It is still a haven of love, support, spiritual, and physical guidance. It is a bible teaching body, which is led by the Holy Spirit.

Jenkins has produced twelve ministers who are currently warriors on the battlefield for the Lord. They are: Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Smith, Rev. Albert Hewitt, Minister Mohandas Martin, Rev. Edwin Dinkins, Minister Clifford Smith, Rev. Miriam Culberson, Rev. Javon Jackson, Rev. Clifford Marks, Rev. Carlotta Ficklin, Rev. Karman Troy and Minister Willie Gary, Rev. Charlie Howard, Sr.

The Church Organizations are: Children and Youth Choir, Contemporary and Gospel Choirs, Men’s Chorus, Sunday School, Bible Study, Lay Council, Women’s Missionary Society, Boards of Stewards, Stewardesses, Trustees, Junior Stewards, Ushers, Women Ushers, Men Ushers, Junior Ushers, Christian Education, Christian Youth Fellowship, Healthcare Ministry, Girl and Boy Scouts, Test Taking Workshops, Young Male Voices of Inspiration, Feed-A-Kid and Family Enrichment Seminars. The Summer Enrichment Program started in June of 1998, and the Church has been certified by the State of Georgia and has now been expanded into a Before and After School Program which includes tutoring and serves over 35 children.

In 2022, after pastoring Jenkins for 34 years, Rev. Dr. Timothy R. Green, Jr. was promoted to Presiding Elder of the Augusta-Sparta District.  Rev. Carlton K. Taylor, Sr. was assigned, and currently serves, as Pastor of Jenkins Memorial CME Church.