A Legacy of Leadership, Ministry and social justice
About Dr. Smith
J. Alfred Smith Senior, pastor emeritus of Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California, and professor emeritus at American Baptist Seminary of the West.
Dr. Smith is past president of the American Baptist Churches of the West and the Progressive National Baptist Convention.
A distinguished winner of numerous awards and commendations for his leadership in ministry, making significant contributions to affordable senior housing, scholarship and meritorious activities, in May 2007 Dr. Smith was the recipient of the American Baptist Homes of the West Affordable Housing Award.
Dr. Smith is a “drum major” for justice, peace and righteousness. Mrs. Joanna Goodwin Smith served for many years as the Oakland Unified School District Director of Adult Education housed at Allen Temple. This program allowed persons to complete the requirements for their General Education Diploma (High School graduation equivalency) and assisted immigrants with meeting the requirements for U.S. Citizenship. In 2007, Mrs. Joanna Goodwin Smith, who had been married to Pastor Smith went home to be with the Lord.
Dr. Smith, Sr. is the father of five children: Amy, James, Craig, Shari, and Anthony.
His son, the Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Jr., who served as senior pastor of the historic Antioch Baptist Church in San Jose, California and as a professor and lecturer at San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California and the San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, California is currently the Senior Pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church.
Dr. Smith is now married to the Reverend Bernestine Smith who served as the Pastor of Allen Temple Arms for numerous years.
