1919 - 85th Avenue Baptist Church began under the leadership of organizer Reverend J. L. Allen. The church was organized during a time when few Blacks resided in East Oakland and when those who did, traveled to the older and more established churches in West Oakland where most Blacks lived and worked.

1919-1925 - Reverend J. L. Allen served as pastor during the struggle for survival years. The church was established at Seminary and E. 14th Street but moved to 85th Avenue during the first year and was renamed 85th Avenue Baptist Church. The church was later renamed Allen Temple in honor of its organizer. By 1920, there were 21 church members, 52 Sunday School members and 14 members of the Baptist Young People's Union (known today as the B.T.U. -Baptist Training Union).

1926-1929- Reverend J. D. Wilson and Reverend R. H. Thomas served as pastors and weathered the difficult years.

1929-1950 - The church began to stabilize during the depression and war years while being pastored by Reverend G. J. Wildy. The first ministry to Black prisoners was established. Mrs. Wildy established a strong Christian Education Department.

1950-1958 - Pastor A. L. Carpenter assumed the helm and steered the congregation through a period of healing and reconciliation.

1958-1969 - Pastor C. C. Bailey ushered in a decade of new beginnings. Many programs were established: Released Time Religious Education for public school children; the Church Library; Junior Deacons; and a Deaconess Board. Evangelism workshops and crusades were also inaugurated. The Business and Professional Women's group was organized in 1960 and a new sanctuary was erected in 1961.

1969-present - Current Pastor, Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., brought renewed energy and direction. Existing organizations were revamped and new programs are continually being implemented. The Pastoral Staff was organized and definitive guidelines were established which increased their effectiveness and scope of operations. Today, the Pastoral Staff includes the following ministries and ministers: Youth and Family Ministries, Christian Education and Staff Ministries, Hispanic Ministry, Prison Ministry, Minister of Counseling, Minister of Music, Visitation Minister to the Sick, Minister of Healing, Ministry to the Retired and Seniors, Minister of Evangelism, Evening Bible Study with Pastor Smith, and Noon Bible Class, Health Education Programs, Job Information Center, Mini Market for Senior Citizens, a Senior Activity Center, Crime Prevention Seminars, Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops, Hi-Rise Tutorial and many others.

1980 - The Allen Temple Baptist Church Federal Credit Union was chartered.

1981 - The membership moved into the newly built sanctuary and the former church was renamed, the J. Alfred Smith. Fellowship Hall. The Allen Temple Arms I with 75 rental units for retired seniors and 8 apartments for the disabled was built and completed.

1982 - The Allen Temple Radio Ministry began. The Interface Institute opened.

1987 - Allen Temple Arms II was built and completed with 51 units.

1992 - Allen Temple Hispanic Ministry was established under the leadership of Pastor Smith and Reverend Ruben Hurtado.

1995 - Allen Temple Community Outreach Center was purchased, formerly Merritt College Extension Building.

1998 - The Leadership Institute at Allen Temple was established.

1999 - The Allen Temple Family Life Center was completed.

2001 - Allen Temple Arms III (Gardens) and Allen Temple Manor, a 24 unit building of affordable housing for persons disabled due to AIDS/HIV opened. The Buss Auto building was acquired.

2002-2004 - Head Start Program, St. Mary's College Program and various Social Service programs became available through Allen Temple. Worship & Communion Services were organized for Allen Temple Manor & Allen Temple Gardens.

2003 - Dr. J. Alfred Smith Training Academy (DJASTA) for ex-offenders was established. Additional property was acquired.

2004 - Pastor J. Alfred Smith, Sr. presented to scholars/religious leaders in Oxford, England. Dr. Smith's book "On The Jericho Road" was published.

2005 - Allen Temple united with Acts Full Gospel COGIC and the Center of Hope Community Church for the first city-wide Resurrection Day celebration that was held at the Oakland Coliseum. Pastor Smith called Oakland's religious and civic leaders who raised $240,000 for the victims of the Katrina hurricane.

2006 - Pastor Smith's book "Speak Until Justice Wakes" was introduced at an author's reception along with the books of eight other authors, five of whom are Allen Temple members.

2007 - Church and community forum led by Dr. Obery Hendricks was held on The Politics of Jesus. Pastor Smith preached at the International Conference on Preaching at Cambridge University in Cambridge, England. Rev. Dr. Robin Smith of Oprah Winfrey fame was the featured speaker at a citywide ecumenical conference sponsored by Allen Temple's WMS. Twelve Allen Temple Youth were awarded California Community Colleges scholarships named for and in honor of the late Joanna Goodwin Smith.

2009 - The Reverend Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Jr. was installed as Senior Pastor.

2010 - The Reverend Jacqueline A. Thompson was installed as Assistant Pastor.