Beebe Memorial Cathedral, Oakland Ca.

At the appointment of Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., Rev. Dr. Hames serves as pastor of the historic Beebe Memorial Cathedral (BMC), a Christian Methodist Episcopal church in Oakland, California. As pastor of BMC since 2003, Dr. Hames leads one of the fastest growing churches in the CME church. Under the leadership of Dr. Hames, Beebe Memorial Cathedral has grown from approximately 80 members to over 1,200 members and more than quadrupled its income, making it one of the premier Houses of Worship of the Bay area. The church has a thriving community of faith with two worship services, Bible study, Sunday school, a community outreach feeding program, A.L.I.V.E. health ministry, and a host of other ministries that cater to the total needs of the family. He has also brought to share in ministry, seven national Gospel recording artists and Christian comedy shows to the Bay Area.

 Dr. Hames received his Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies in 1997 from Chicago State University in Chicago, Illinois and in 2000 earned a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. In 2004 he was blessed to receive his Doctor of Ministry Degree in Evangelism from the Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

 In addition to revitalizing its witness, BMC has opened its doors to many community and non-profit organizations in the Bay Area. One of the most noted experiences; BMC hosted the late Sen. Ted Kennedy during the 2008 presidential race as the only church in the Bay Area chosen by to share in that historical campaign. As an active participant in the faith community, Dr. Hames supports inter-faith coalitions and local government. He pioneered the inception of and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Empowerment Community Development Corporation (ECDC); a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide transformative services to youth and families by equipping them with the tools required to become positively involved in community life as employees, volunteers and productive citizens. Rev. Dr. Hames is the proud recipient of City Flight Magazine’s 2005 10 Most Influential African Americans of the Bay Area and an active member and Chaplain of the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, Inc. He is also, member of Gamma Phi Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and a Director for the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce Board.

Born and raised on Chicago’s south side, Dr. Charley Hames, Jr. is the second child of Charley Hames, Sr. and Leona Elizabeth Steadman-Hames (deceased). He was born on January 10, 1974 and baptized as an infant by Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr. (retired) of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church.

Rev. Dr. Hames is married to Felicia S. Brooks-Hames and is the proud father of Charles Jonathon Hames, Elijah Immanuel Hames, and Jael Deon Hames.

 You can hear Dr. Hames every Sunday Morning from 6am to 8am as the voice of inspiration on KBLX 102.9 FM in the Bay Area.  Putting action to vision in serving God, as a gifted pulpiteer with 18 glorious years in the Gospel ministry and the more than 13 years in pastoral excellence, Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr. continues to spread the Good News using the anointed tools bestowed upon him by the Lord Jesus the Christ!