Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams was born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx, New York.  He graduated from Evander Childs High School in the Bronx.  After graduation, he attended C.W. Post College in Greenvale, New York, and received the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Academic Scholarship in 1974.  In 1978, he graduated with a B.A. in Theatre Arts and Secondary Education.  He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Rev. Dr. Williams was brought up in the Co-op City Baptist Church.  He attended Sunday School and was baptized in the Church.  As he grew more mature in the Lord, he taught Sunday School and became a Walking Deacon.

Rev. Dr. Williams was licensed to preach the gospel in October 1984.  He received his Masters of Divinity from the New York Theological Seminary in May 1988, and became an ordained Baptist Minister in November 1988.  He was the recipient of Who’s Who Outstanding Young Men of America in 1988.

From June 1989 until June 1992, he was an Associate Minister at Community Baptist Church in Jessup, Maryland.  While there, he worked with the prison ministry, headed Vacation Bible School and worked with the youth ministries.  It was a period of growth and preparation as the Lord continued to prepare him for the pastoral ministry.

On October 4, 1992, Rev. Dr. Williams became the Pastor of the Co-op City Baptist Church in the Bronx, New York.  Under his leadership, the Church has grown spiritually, financially and in membership.  His goal is to lead God’s people through the guidance of the Holy Spirit during the 21st century.  The Church has purchased property and plans to build a new edifice in the near future.  Dr. Williams has been blessed to minister in Africa and the West Indies.

Rev. Dr. Williams received his Doctorate of Ministry from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio in May 1995.  He was elected to the Executive Board of Directors of the NAACP Co-op City Branch on December 22, 1996.  In January of 1998, Rev. Dr. Williams was elected to the Executive Board of the Coalition of African American Churches and Community Organizations of Co-op City.

Dr. Williams has received various prestigious awards from organizations such as the NAACP, the Retirees of Co-op City, Town & Country Family Center, just to name a few.  He has also received awards from political leaders Councilman Larry Seabrook and Congressman Joseph Crowley.  Dr. Williams has been selected as a member of Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals for the year 2002-2003.

In September of 2005, Dr. Williams started the Co-op City Intergenerational Outreach Center, Inc., where he serves as the Chief Executive Officer.  Rev. Dr. Williams is married to the former Marilyn Cecelia Townes and they have one son, Sheldon Emery Williams, Jr.  The family resides in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Executive Minister

Rev. Grace M. Emanuel is a born & bred New Yorker, and has lived in the Bronx since the age of two.

Her career training was at the Bellevue School of Nursing, and she has been a licensed registered nurse since 1962. In March 2008, she retired from the position of Assistant Manager of Core Operations/Training at the New York Blood Center.

In May of 1997, Rev. Emanuel was licensed to preach, and in 2006 was ordained by the Co-op City Baptist Church, and now is the Executive Minister, Minister of Christian Education, as well as an Associate Minister under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams. She has served as the Superintendent of the Sunday School; is a member of the Scholarship Ministry, the Construction Ministry; Associate Editor of “Connections” the church newsletter; advisor to the Youth Ministry Board, and a Trustee.

In 2005, Rev. Emanuel was named “Woman of the Year” by her church’s Women’s Day Committee.

Reverend Emanuel has pursued education in Christian life by completing the three levels of Bible certificate programs at the New York School of the Bible, and the Certificate in Christian Ministry Program at the New York Theological Seminary. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of New Rochelle. Rev. Emanuel looks forward to completing her master’s degree in Pastoral Care & Counseling at the New York Theological Seminary.

“The Lord has called me, and He has gifted me to teach and to preach! He has enabled and empowered me to tell His truth to a dying world in season and out; when they listen and when they don’t; even so, I know He hears. He has blessed me with His presence, and it pleases me to do His bidding. To God be the glory!” 

Associate Minister

Minister Algernon J. Quattlebaum (“Minister Q”) was born and raised in the Bronx, New York.

He later moved to Los Angeles, Ca where he first heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After accepting Christ, he went right to work for the Lord. Min. Quattlebaum joined Christian Unity Baptist Church in Los Angeles, Ca. where the Rev. Willie Davis Jr. is the pastor.

 In 1993 Min. Quattlebaum first heard the call to the Ministry and in 1996 he was licensed to preach the gospel, where he worked in different ministries around the Los Angeles area.

After moving back to New York in 1999, Min. Quattlebaum continued his work in the ministry by becoming actively involved a football youth program, becoming a community leader and working with various organizations such as the NAACP Co-op City Branch, Coalition of African-American Churches & Community Organization, The Harriet Tubman Independent Democratic Club, and President of the Building 23 Association.

Min. Quattlebaum is married to Gail Talley they live within the Co-op City Community.

Min. Quattlebaum currently serves as  Associate Minister under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams.