Rev. Dr. Chelton C. Flanagan A Faithful Shepherd · Visionary Leader · Community Advocate Rev. Dr. Chelton C. Flanagan is a dedicated pastor, dynamic preacher, and visionary leader whose ministry has touched countless lives. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he has committed his life to serving both church and community with unwavering faith, compassion, and purpose. His call to ministry began in 1983 under Pastor Dr. George Q. Brown at Second New Hope Baptist Church. He was ordained in 1987 by the Baptist Ministers Conference and Baptist Pastor's Council.
Dr. Flanagan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible Theology and Psychology from American Baptist College (1986) and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree with high honors from South University (2018), focusing on pastoral leadership transitions. He is a proud member of the Theta Alpha Kappa National Honor Society, Alpha Nu Delta Chapter.
He has faithfully served in various ministry roles including Youth Minister, Minister of Community Engagement, Outreach Ministry Developer, Pastor of Philemon Baptist Church, and Special Assistant to the Senior Pastor. In 2003, he joined Holy Trinity Baptist Church as Assistant Pastor and was called to serve as Senior Pastor in 2005. Under his leadership, Holy Trinity has expanded its spiritual and community reach, launching the Holy Trinity Community Collaborative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on social and economic empowerment.
His service extends across several boards and initiatives:
South University School of Theology – Advisory Board
Mount Pleasant Community Zone – Board Member
Mount Pleasant NOW Development Corp – Board Member
Breaking Chains Inc – Board of Trustees
Holy Trinity Community Collaborative – Board Member
Child and Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County – Board Member
Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Flanagan's commitment to community service has expanded into municipal governance through his recent appointment by Mayor Justin Berns to the Beachwood Civil Service Commission, where he serves on the governing body responsible for establishing and maintaining hiring, testing, and promotion standards for the city's police and fire departments.
Dr. Flanagan is currently in the process of completing his first book: Passing of The Mantle – A Resource Guide and Helpful Tools For The Pastoral Leadership Transitioning Process, a reflection of his passion for guiding the next generation of faith leaders. He shares life with his loving wife, Mari Flanagan, and cherishes his role as husband, father to three wonderful bonus daughters, grandfather to three grandchildren, and doting great-uncle.
Grounded in the belief that "The best is STILL yet to come," Pastor Flanagan continues to lead with vision, love, and unwavering dedication—uplifting souls and empowering communities for generations to come.
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wednesday
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Holy Trinity Baptist Church:
Founded on March 12, 1961, under the visionary leadership of the late Pastor Emeritus Henry J. Payden Sr., Holy Trinity Baptist Church has been a guiding light in the lives of men, women, and children for over half a century. With a steadfast commitment to its motto, "The Church With The Upward Look And The Forward Step," it continues to shine as a beacon of faith and community engagement.
Under the leadership of Dr. Chelton C. Flanagan, the church remains dedicated to making a meaningful impact for the Kingdom of God—being kingdom-minded, kingdom-driven, and kingdom-focused for kingdom purpose, transforming lives through the power of God's Word.
At the heart of Holy Trinity Baptist Church is the mission to integrate faith into the community and bring the community into the church through gospel outreach and ministries. We sincerely thank you for visiting our website. As you explore, remember that nothing compares to the experience of gathering in worship, praising God, and fostering fellowship among believers. Here, you'll find ministries and classes designed to enrich the lives of people of all ages. We welcome you to be part of this journey of faith and transformation.