September 1943, Rev. Kelley was sent by Bishop L. Russell to be the pastor of a CME Church in Cambridge, MA. He served as Pastor of this church for approximately 1 year.

 

In 1944, Rev. Kelley left the CME Church in Cambridge and founded St. John’s Congregational Church located at 45 Cabot Street in Roxbury, MA. After three (3) years,

Rev. Kelley saw a great need for a Baptist Church.  He was converted and baptized into the Baptist faith; he reorganized and renamed St. John’s Congregational Church to ST. J0HN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, which it remains today.   

Times were not easy; Reverend Kelly served the church without pay.  He worked as a shoeshine boy on Tremont Street, and made very little money, but the money he made was used to purchase wood and coal in the wintertime to keep the church warm.   For many years, Rev. Kelley supported the Church out of his own pocket, and because of his dedication and his belief and faith in God; the church began to grow by leaps and bounds.   

Under Rev. Kelley’s leadership and vision, and with a faithful and devoted membership, the church grew and moved several times. Subsequently, with the help of Senator William Owens and others, the church was able to purchase the land and build, where it is currently located.   

On April 7^th, nineteen hundred and ninety-six (1996), after a long illness, God called The Late Rev. Dr. Rafe David Kelley home to be at rest.