Pastor Emeritus
Dr. Edward Daniel McCreary, Jr. has held many roles. He was the first born son of Rev. Dr. Edward Daniel McCreary, Sr. and Florence Storrs McCreary and the brother of the late Rev. Dr. Charles Riley McCreary, Sr. Beginning his life in Williamsburg, Virginia, Dr. Edward McCreary, Jr. would later go on to complete his primary education in Stauton and Charlottesville, Virginia. The world would become his place for learning and teaching as he would travel through Virginia, the United States and abroad as both student and educator.
Dr. McCreary received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Virginia Union University and a Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Andover Newton Theological School. He also received his Masters and Doctorate of Theology from the Union Theological Seminary of Richmond, Virginia. Dr. McCreary did not stop expanding his mind after receiving his Doctorate and went on to do his post-doctoral studies at the University of Chicago, Columbia University, Union Theological Seminary of New York, Princeton Theological Seminary, Mansfield College, Christ Church College, and the Third International Theological Seminary in Hamburg, Berlin and Munich, Germany.
As his highest calling would lead him to be called Reverend, Doctor, Pastor, Shepherd and Professor, Dr. McCreary was licensed to preach in 1939 at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia under the pastorate of his father, Rev. Edward D. McCreary, Sr. Since then, Dr. McCreary, Jr. has served as the Pastor of four churches: St. Johns Baptist Church in Woburn, Massachusetts for 2 years; Trinity Baptist Church of Newport News, Virginia for 3 years; Westwood Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia for 7 years; and in 1954 was called to Pastor The Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia where he served for 34 years, retiring in 1988 as Pastor Emeritus.
As an educator, he has always set very high standards for his students. Under his tutelage, many students reflect on the impact which Dr. McCreary had on their professional aspirations and have moved on the be renowned pastors, well-respected public officials, educators, executives and business owners. Dr. McCreary has taught both undergraduate and graduate studies at Virginia Union University and has served as Chairman for the Department of Philosophy and Religion and the Division of Humanities. The Lord has also led Dr. McCreary to lecture and present workshops at a number of colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Dr. McCreary's mission to serve mankind and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ is evident through his work in the community and abroad. He has served faithfully in numerous organizations including but not limited to: the Baptist Ministers Conference of Richmond and Vicinity; former Moderator of the Shiloh Association of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia; Workshop Leader for the Tuckahoe Association; life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; the Masons Silver Trowel Lodge #267; Patron of the Fannie Lewis Chapter #4 of the Order of Eastern Stars; Former Trustee of the Independent Order of St. Luke; and Former President and current Chaplain of the Maggie L. Walker Historical Foundation. In addition, Dr. McCreary has received Board Appointments to: the State Council of Higher Education; Virginia Power Company (VEPCO); Commission on Aging; Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens; Seven Hills Hospital Authority; and Richmond Hill Ecumenical Christian Fellowship.
Dr. McCreary's words of wisdom and inspiration continue to reach thousands as he preaches, lectures, and publishes articles and serves churches as interim pastor, organizations as a member, and universities and seminaries as an educator.
