Triumph Church is a Baptist church rooted in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan, and known for rapid growth, multiple worship locations and a ministry network that extends beyond one neighborhood. Founded in 1920 as Triumph Missionary Baptist Church, it grew from a small wood-frame church in River Rouge into an eight-campus ministry led by Senior Pastor Solomon W. Kinloch Jr. Congregations gather in Detroit, Burton, Flint, Harper Woods, Southfield and Northville, and worship is livestreamed through Facebook Live, Instagram Live, YouTube and Triumph's online watch platform.
From River Rouge to Detroit's Liddesdale
Founded in the fall of 1920 by Rev. Claude Cummings and a small group of people, Triumph Missionary Baptist Church was incorporated in 1924 while meeting in an underground wood-frame building at 515 Holford Street in River Rouge. Early pastors included Rev. L.A. Forte, Rev. Rosbrior, Rev. F. Freeman, Rev. Scott and Rev. G.W. Sims.
Rev. A.D. Boone Jr. had joined Triumph in 1922 and served as choir director and president of the Baptist Training Union. Ordained to the Gospel Ministry in 1941, he pastorized the church during 1941 and 1942. Triumph prospered as a family church under his leadership, and an annual crowning of a King and Queen was held for members. Boone later ordained Rev. John Maddox in 1951 and Rev. Clarence C. Davie in 1952, with Rev. G.S. Davie joining the ordained ministry in the late 1950s. In 1954, members moved into an underground edifice at 2550 S. Liddesdale in Detroit, escorted by the River Rouge Police Department. The Altar Circle cared for the pulpit and Communion services, while Mrs. Boone led the Baptist Young People Union and its training ministries for youth.
A New Sanctuary Built by the Membership
Rev. David A. DeYampert Sr. became pastor in June 1970 and led the congregation through a major building effort. Mystery Box Lunches, Mystery Trips, Miss Triumph beauty pageants and Tom Thumb Weddings helped raise $50,000 for the building fund. Members also secured adjacent land under a 100-year lease. Construction began in March 1974, while worship continued at Northrup School in River Rouge. The old church was torn down before the bank asked why members were proceeding. Their answer was, 'We've come this far by faith.' Officers applied for a $96,000 loan on July 9, and it was approved three days later.
On the fifth Sunday in September 1974, members entered the new church, some arriving by caravan and others on foot, with the Detroit Police Department providing an escort. A Furniture Committee worked with the architect on the panel and cross that remain part of the sanctuary and raised money for the pulpit, podium, organ, chairs and pews. The Women of Triumph organized a Kitchen Committee, purchased a stove and raised $1,600 through a dinner that repaid borrowed funds. The youth department grew under Mrs. DeYampert, and five choirs, eventually known together as the Excelsior Choir, strengthened the church's music ministry.
During Rev. DeYampert's leadership, membership grew from 300 to more than 1,200. Rev. David DeYampert Jr., Rev. David O'Dell, Rev. Johnnie Bonner, Rev. Major Carter and Rev. John DeYampert were ordained as Ministers of the Gospel. Members paid off the mortgage in June 1988 and held a mortgage burning ceremony. A Hammond C-3 organ and a new roof improved worship before Rev. DeYampert died on July 2, 1997.
Solomon Kinloch and the Spiritual Beltway
In March 1998, Rev. Solomon W. Kinloch Jr. became pastor when membership had fallen to a very small number. His first year brought interior and exterior renovations, updated offices and renewed ministries. The Mission Ministry supplied holiday baskets and emergency assistance; a New Members class and quarterly Meet Your Leaders breakfasts helped newcomers become acquainted with the church. Rev. DeYampert scholarships supported graduating high school seniors entering college, neighborhood canvassing invited residents to worship, and Christian Education expanded through Sunday School, Bible study, lectures and leadership seminars.
Rapid growth soon required multiple worship times and larger rooms. Triumph's vision became the 'Spiritual Beltway: One Church in Multiple Locations.' The church entered the Village Theatre and Cass Technical High School in 2006, moved its Canton gathering to Salem High School in 2008 and completed its final worship gathering at Cass in 2009. That year, Triumph bought the 29,000-square-foot former Second Ebenezer Church, which became the East Campus. The North Campus took shape at the Millennium Centre in Southfield in 2010, and that December Triumph purchased the former Agape Christian Church and adjoining academy in Canton, a property with a worship area, 17 classrooms and 17 offices that became the West Campus.
Under Kinloch, the church grew to eight campuses, fourteen weekly services and more than 35,000 members. Its history includes recognition by Outreach Magazine, which named Triumph one of the fastest-growing churches in the United States beginning in 2008 and one of the largest beginning in 2012. Kinloch, who had been a minister since age 14 under Rev. Robert Smith Jr. at New Bethel Baptist Church, also brought the church's worship to local ABC, CBS and NBC affiliates and established streaming options with Facebook Live, Instagram Live, YouTube and the church's watch platform.
Where Triumph Meets Across Metro Detroit
Triumph's regular gatherings are distributed among metro Detroit campuses, with worship schedules shaped by each location and Bible studies forming part of the weekly rhythm.
Burton
At 2130 S. Center Road, worship is at 11:00 a.m. on the first, second, third and fifth Sundays of each month.
Joy Road
15801 Joy Road has Saturday worship at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday worship at 7:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Bible study meets there at noon Tuesday.
East
At 2760 E. Grand Blvd., the East Campus holds worship at 11:45 a.m. Sunday. It is also the location for drive-through grocery distribution and rides arranged for people who need transportation to a Triumph gathering.
Harper Woods
At 19801 Vernier in Harper Woods, worship is at noon on the fourth Sunday. Bible study follows on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Flint
At 1657 Broadway Blvd. in Flint, Sunday worship is at 8:45, 10:45 and 12:45 p.m., and Bible study meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
North
At the North Campus, 15600 J.L. Hudson Dr. in Southfield, worship is at 9:45 a.m. Sunday. Wednesday Bible study begins at 6:30 p.m.
West and Liddesdale
The West Campus is at 16115 Beck Rd. in Northville. The Liddesdale address, 2550 S. Liddesdale St., is the church's historic Detroit home and a defining part of its story.
Live Worship and Giving
Triumph's livestream makes the weekly worship gatherings available beyond the campuses. Services appear through Triumph's YouTube channel, along with Facebook Live, Instagram Live and the church's online watch platform. The church has also broadcast worship on local ABC, CBS and NBC affiliates. Giving is available through a secure online giving system, with credit or debit card and bank account options, designated funds and text giving.
Education, Leadership and Congregational Care
The Department of Christian Education focuses on spiritual development and leadership training through Triumph University. Its named institutes cover biblical study, counseling, finances, leadership, life and ministry: Next Level Biblical Institute, Next Level Counseling Institute, Next Level Financial Institute, Next Level Leadership Institute, Next Level Life Institute and Next Level Ministerial Institute.
Congregational Care serves the church family through counseling, intercessory prayer, hospital visits, spiritual guidance and support during transitions of life. The Triumph Care Team also invites licensed mental health professionals, behavioral health providers and special education teachers. These volunteers may lead care support groups, offer mental health workshops, provide in-service support or assist children and youth ministries. A separate Health and Wellness department offers physical fitness, educational and medical programming that connects members with health resources.
Youth, Music and Family Life
The IMPACT Youth department develops programs for the spiritual, academic and personal growth of people from birth through high school graduation. Family Life and Empowerment gathers people at different stages of their Christian walk for learning, strengthening and support. The Evangelism and Outreach department equips members to share the Gospel with people who cannot or do not take part in the church's traditional worship setting, while New Members, Worship Support and Media and Communications assist newcomers, worship gatherings and communication.
Music and Sacred Arts seeks to create a worshipful atmosphere through music, ministry and education. The Mass Choir invites singers to join 'one sound, one spirit, one Triumph.' That musical emphasis reaches back to Rev. A.D. Boone Jr.'s service as choir director and to the five choirs organized under Rev. DeYampert, whose combined work became the Excelsior Choir.
Groceries, Rides, Meals and Workshops
Triumph partners with Forgotten Harvest to distribute groceries at the East Campus. The drive-through, no-touch pickup keeps participants in their vehicles and takes place on the first and third Fridays of each month, with distribution based on first come, first served. The church also registers people who need a ride to one of its locations. Its wider outreach has included tens of thousands of free meals, annual scholarships for teens and free workshops addressing financial, mental, physical and spiritual well-being. The Mission Ministry has also supplied holiday baskets and emergency assistance.
What Triumph Believes
Triumph's beliefs center on one true and living God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, creator of all. It affirms Jesus Christ as Savior and the walking revelation of God's love, who died on the cross and was resurrected for redemption. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, leads believers into righteousness, empowers the church and is described as Christ in the present tense. The church is affirmed as the body and bride of Christ, a fellowship of regenerated people called to live together in community.
The Bible is held as the infallible word of God and the church's written authority. Humanity is described as created in God's image, separated from God by sin and restored through Jesus Christ. Salvation rests on God's grace, justification brings a right relationship with God, and sanctification is the ongoing work of yielding to God's Word and Spirit. Baptism visibly demonstrates a believer's union with Christ's death, burial and resurrection and is a prerequisite for participation in the Lord's Supper, which is open to all people in faith who desire fellowship with Christ. Other affirmations include the virgin birth, the priesthood of all believers with direct access to God through Jesus, marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman, and Christ's second coming.
One Church, Many Campuses, Shared Work
Triumph's identity remains tied to the idea of a spiritual beltway: one church extending through several cities while keeping worship, education, care and outreach connected. Its history of member-built facilities, trained ministers, congregational support and practical service continues to shape the multi-campus ministry led by Solomon W. Kinloch Jr.