Bishop Horace Earl Smith Will Step Down in 2026
The veteran leader will conclude his 46-year tenure at Chicago's Apostolic Faith Church on October 4, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in People
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Bishop Horace Earl Smith, who has led the Bronzeville congregation of Apostolic Faith Church since 1980, will officially step down as senior pastor on October 4, 2026. He plans to dedicate more time to his family following the leadership transition.
Why it matters
Smith's departure marks a major shift for the historic Chicago church, concluding a period of stability that lasted nearly five decades. He intends to prioritize his personal life alongside his roles as a husband, father of three, and grandfather of seven.
Bishop Horace Earl Smith served as a physician for more than 25 years in addition to his 46-year pastoral tenure. He is a father of three children and a grandfather of seven.
The players
Horace Earl Smith
He is a long-serving senior pastor and physician who has led his Bronzeville congregation for 46 years.
Jonathan Banks
He is an elder who has been named as the designated successor to the position of senior pastor.
The details
Elder Jonathan Banks has been named the designated successor to lead the congregation. Smith previously completed a medical fellowship at Northwestern and successfully balanced his dual careers in medicine and ministry for over two decades.
Timeline
Smith became the senior pastor of Apostolic Faith Church in 1980.
Smith will conclude his tenure as senior pastor on October 4, 2026.
Market Landscape
This transition follows the pattern set by other long-term institutional transitions within Chicago's religious and civic sectors. The move represents a significant shift in the competitive landscape for leadership roles within historic city institutions.
Members of the congregation will experience a shift in senior leadership starting in late 2026. The change will determine the future direction and administrative oversight of the church's programs in the Bronzeville neighborhood.
The takeaway
The transition underscores the long-term impact of dedicated community leadership on neighborhood stability. Congregants can prepare for the upcoming shift as the church leadership begins the process of finalizing the succession plan.
What happens next
Horace Earl Smith will officially conclude his tenure as senior pastor of Apostolic Faith Church on October 4, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on prominent local leadership, visit the Chicago People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC7 Chicago.
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Should long-term leaders prioritize succession planning to ensure their organization continues to move forward?
