About the Church

Dr. Daisy L. Huff

DAISY LAROSE NORFLEET was born May 29, 1912, to the union of Louis and Henrietta Norfleet, in Cohoma County, Mississippi. She was the second of two children born to the union. She departed this life February 19, 1994, at Mercy Hospital. Her brother Louis, Junior and both her parents preceded her in death.

Converted at the age of eight and baptized the second Sunday in September 1920, she had an early desire to learn God’s word. She began her studies as early as age twelve and continued throughout her lifetime.

Daisy L. Norfleet began her formal education in the Clarksdale, Mississippi school system and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, Tennessee. She attended Lemoyne College in Memphis, yet the hunger and thirst for God’s word was ever prevalent with her. So, as a young woman, she entered Greenville Industrial College in Mississippi where she began her systematic graded studies in the Bible.

In 1935, Daisy L. Norfleet was united in holy matrimony to James Jones in Clarksdale, Mississippi. To that union were born two sons; Charles Edward and James Lester. The marriage was dissolved in 1942 and in 1943 she married the late Rev. Samuel M. Huff. The two came to Toledo in September, 1945, where he was installed as the first pastor of the New Light Baptist Church, which Mrs. Huff named.

The two moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1946, where he pastored two churches. In Chicago, Mrs. Huff continued her studies at the Chicago Baptist Institute and Moody Bible College. After the death of Rev. Huff, she moved back to Toledo in 1952 to be with her aging mother. She reunited with the New Light Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. C.T. Rucker. She held several positions there, including President of the Missionary Society.

The spiritual road has been long for Dr. Huff. She spent some years at St. Mark Baptist Church under the pastorage of Rev. I.J. Johnson. There she served in different positions; from pianist to Director of Christian Education.

In 1959, the Spirit moved heavily upon her and anointed her for the teaching ministry. She was inspired to organize the Toledo Christian Training Center on April 10, 1960. She became its president and chief teacher. Though she had to endure many trials and oppositions, the Lord brought both she and the center through it all.

In November, 1967, Rev. Huff united with the Calvary Baptist Church and was later pastored by Rev. L.H. Newsom. She remained there until May 1972, when the Lord’s Spirit moved heavily upon her again. This time, after forty hours of fasting and praying, she was anointed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Immediately she was assigned as Pastor of the newly established Christian Temple Baptist Church and remained its pastor until her death. Rev. Huff is believed to be the FIRST BLACK FEMALE BAPTIST MINISTER IN NORTHWEST OHIO; A PIONEER.

Rev. Huff has truly been a light shining from the hilltop. She has been a tremendous spiritual force in this community for many years, having touched many, many lives. We here at Christian Temple will know no other leader like her. Truly God has performed mighty works by her.

Rev. Huff guided a broadcast ministry, “The Christ Way of Life”, live each Sunday for twenty-four years (from April 1969 to April 1993). She received many certificates and degrees and in April 1990, Rev. Huff had the Doctor of Divinity Degree conferred upon her by Rev. R.W. McClendon, Chancellor of the Tennessee School of Religion.

Dr. Huff was a member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) of the city. She was also had been a member of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. Inc. for over fifty years. Active also in community and civic affairs, Dr. Huff is a Golden Heritage member of the NAACP and was a loyal supporter starting in 1978. She received many awards, both locally and nationally from that organization.