Saturday, August 27, 2016
Bethel Church of God in Christ, 3147 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown, is celebrating its 95th anniversary this weekend. On Friday, the Rev. Michael Harrison, pastor of Union Baptist Church in Youngstown, was guest speaker. From noon to 7 p.m. today, the church will host a homecoming/anniversary celebration on church grounds. There will be food, Gospel music selections by guest choirs, groups and soloists and children’s activities. Elder Lamar Thomas will be guest speaker. At 10 a.m. Sunday, Elder Ernest Fields, pastor of Calvary Hill Church of God in Christ in Cleveland, will be guest speaker.
COGIC in the Valley: Jeff A. Lewis was ordained an elder by Bishop Charles H. Mason, founder of the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) in Mississippi in 1920. Elder Lewis came to Youngstown, where he established the first COGIC in 1921. It was located in a storefront building on Sara Street in Brier Hill. In 1932, Elder Lewis and congregation moved to a storefront building on West Federal Street. From there, the church relocated to 537 George St., where Elder Lewis lived, which was also a storefront. In 1945, Elder Lewis and congregation moved to a church at 546 Lincoln Ave.
Continuing history: In March of 1950, Elder Lewis died. On June 1, 1950, Bishop Riley F. Williams of the Ohio North First Jurisdiction COGIC, appointed Elder Robert Sidney Fields as pastor of Lincoln Avenue COGIC. For the next six years, Elder Fields and the Lincoln Avenue congregation sponsored fund-raisers for a new church. In March of 1956, the congregation bought Bethel Lutheran Church, 25 Ridge Ave., Youngstown. A motorcade took place May 27, 1956, to the new location, which was named Bethel Church of God in Christ. Elder Fields was appointed Bishop of the Ohio North Jurisdiction in November of 1963 after the death of Bishop U.E. Miller. On May 31, 1988, Bishop Fields died.
At Bethel COGIC: On Aug. 20, 1988, Bishop William Morgan James appointed Elder Frank Foster as pastor of Bethel. During his service, he initiated major renovations including installing new carpeting, upholstering the sanctuary pews, structural repairs and erecting a new sign for the church. The church also bought new choir robes and a new church van. On Dec.10, 1994, Elder Foster died.
Elder Johnson’s service: On Feb. 20, 1994, Bishop William Morgan James appointed Elder Ross Johnson as pastor of Bethel and he continues to serve. He also is pastor of Mount Zion COGIC in Sandusky. He previously was pastor of Zion COGIC in Toledo for six years. He was ordained in 1978 by Bishop Robert S. Fields. He received a certificate of pastoral studies from Emmaus Bible College in 1989 and earned degrees in psychology and communication studies at Oberlin College. Elder Johnson initiated the vision, “Building People of Purpose, Power and Praise,” and the church has a new edifice. Following the tradition, on March 2, 2002, Bethel members had a motorcade from the old sanctuary on Ridge Avenue to the new location at 3147 Glenwood Ave. The first official service was March 3, 2002, with the Bishop Walter E. Jordan officiating. On Feb. 26, 2006, Elder Johnson was installed as superintendent of the Greater Mahoning Valley District of the Ohio North First Jurisdiction COGIC and in March 2009 was appointed by Bishop Edward T. Cook as director of ministry development for the Ohio North First Jurisdiction. Under the leadership of Superintendent Johnson, Bethel has become a certified Urban Initiative Church of the Church of God in Christ with a ministry focus on Education, Economic Development, Crime Prevention, Family and Financial Literacy. As a result of a community-minded focus, the Bethel recently was awarded multiple lots by the city of Youngstown and plans to build a community center. Bethel remains a congregation of “Firm Foundation, Great Legacy and Rich Heritage.” Pastor Johnson retired in 2008 from General Motors Delphi Packard Electric Division after serving in various management positions for 30 years. He and his wife, Sheila, have been married 40 years. Their children are son, Kevin Johnson, and daughter and son-in-law, Tamara and Mark Mason.
Source: Church history