The Flake Legacy….From visions to realities, God has allowed the honorable Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake, Pastor Emeritus and the Rev. Dr. Margarett Elaine McCollins Flake to capture and implement vision for Christian ministry over the past 48 years.

In 1976 The Reverend Floyd H. Flake was appointed to pastor the Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church by Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand. With collective vision, an under the leadership of the Reverends Floyd & Elaine Flake, the church grew substantially, and as a result, The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York is one of the nation’s foremost Christian Churches. 

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The Legacy begins…

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In 1976, South Jamaica, Queens, the church’s surrounding neighborhood, was an area of various untapped, and economic opportunities that symbolized a need for promise and attention. Reverends Floyd Flake responded with a long-term commitment to aid in the revitalization of surrounding vacant lots, unused space, dilapidated structures and existing mixed-use properties. In 1976, the Allen Neighborhood Preservation and Development Corporation was established to meet the housing needs of the Southeast Queens community. In 1977, shortly after his pastoral appointment, Rev. Floyd H. Flake secured funding from HUD to build 300 units of Section 202 housing for Senior Citizens.

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Reverend Floyd & Elaine Flake’s vision for church and community continued to evolve. Through God’s anointing, they proactively made a difference where evidence of neglect and opportunity has flourished. 
Throughout the late 70’s they founded:
·      The  Allen Housing Development Fund Corporation
·      Awarded Urban Renewal Site at 167th Street and Linden Boulevards
·      Began construction of the Allen Senior Center
·      Birthed Allen Liturgical Dance Ministry

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In the 1980’s, they opened Building A of Allen Senior Citizens Center at Linden Boulevard and 167th Street. Reverend Floyd & Elaine’s Flake vision included education and academic growth. In 1980, they purchased the lot on the corder of Linden and Merrick Boulevards for the Allen Christian School.

In 1982, the first class of students entered The Allen Christian School in Pre-K – 3rd grade at the Allen Senior Center, then in 1980, Allen Christian School officially opened its doors in its new facility at Linden and Merrick Boulevards, to accommodate grades K through 6th, and expaned to accommodate the 8th grade in 1984. Allen Christian School enrolled approximately 800 students per year. Since inception through 2012, over 10,000 students graduated and pursued undergraduate and graduate education at some of the nation’s top colleges and universities, such as; Spelman, Morehouse, Vassar and Columbia to name a few. Allen Christian school continues to serve grades Pre-K through 1st grade.

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In 1984, Pastor Floyd H. Flake was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. While continuing his responsibilities of pastor at The Greater Allen Cathedral. In 1986, Rev. Floyd H. Flake was elected to the United States congress. Rev. Flake concurrently served 11 years in congress. As a congressman, he established a reputation for bipartisan and innovative legislative initiatives to revitalize urban commercial and residential communities. He also garnered federal resources and projects for his communities, successfully winning to regional facilities in Jamaica Queens: The Federal Drug Administration at a cost of $300 million and the Federal Aviation Administration at a cost of over $280 million, which generated more than two thousand jobs while also upgrading the stability and the aesthetics of the District. He also authored legislation to fund the expansion of JFK Airport and build the rail link from the plane to the train, which connects JFK to Jamaica and Penn Stations.  This has helped to further development of the Downtown Jamaica area.

While serving in congress, Reverends Floyd & Elaine Flake continued to transform church and community through the complete rehabilitation of properties at 114-12-34 at Merrick Boulevard, and began construction of 111 units of scattered site homes for first-time homebuyers, and the first set of occupants officially moved into the Allen Estates in 1986.

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Throughout this time, Allen’s membership was growing substantially, and could no longer accommodate the sanctuary at Shekinah Church. In 1985, Allen’s worship services moved from Shekinah Youth Church to the Allen Christian School.

Their desire to transform community also continued in 1986, as they began acquisition of additional properties near 111th Avenue and Merrick Boulevard for cathedral construction.

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