Cedar Avenue Church of God marks 100 years

The Herald

FARRELL May 08, 2008 05:26 pm

— Cedar Avenue Church of God, 1045 Cedar Ave, Sharon, will celebrate its 100th church anniversary Tuesday through May 18.
Services on the first three nights of the observance will start at 7 p.m. The Rev. Lora Adams-King and her choir of Erie Street Church of God in Franklin and the choir of Greater Morris Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Farrell will minister Tuesday; Rev. Thomas J. Bolling and his choir of Second Baptist Church, Farrell, will be guests Wednesday; and Supt. Wilbert G. Hadden and his choir of Greater Mount Zion Church of God in Christ and the choir of Valley Baptist Church, all Farrell, will minister Thursday.
The church will host a gala at 6 p.m. May 17 in The Radisson of Sharon, Shenango Township, at which the Rev. Dr. Michael A. Smith, a former pastor of the church, now pastor of Community Church of God in Atlanta, will be guest speaker. Rev. Dr. Robert A. Culp, a product of Cedar Avenue Church of God, pastor of First Church of God, Toledo, Ohio, will speak at the 11 a.m. worship celebration May 18. Several ministries will participate in the service including the youth mime team.
Highlighting the week of events will be a groundbreaking ceremony May 18 for the Family Life Center, immediately following morning worship. Culminating the series of events will be an evening celebration beginning at 5 p.m. with Bishop Timothy J. Clarke, former pastor of York Avenue Church of God, Warren, Ohio, now pastor of First Church of God, Columbus, Ohio, speaking, with his choir singing. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.
Originally known as the Brothers and Sisters of Love, the fellowship of believers began in 1908 under the guidance of Rev. Priscilla Wimbush. Assisting her in leadership and establishment of the congregation was Rev. Ida M. English Ard. In 1910, Rev. William Blackburn accepted the charge of pastorship and during his tenure the church was recognized as an affiliate member of the Church of God Reformation Movement. Rev. Blackburn served until 1914 and was succeeded by the Rev. Purnell White, who pastored the fellowship until 1920.
Rev. G.R. Dixon was called in 1921. The church had grown considerably by that time, which resulted in the formation of plans to build the present structure. Members rallied and worked so cooperatively that by the fall of 1923, the edifice became a reality. Rev. Dixon resigned as pastor after eight years.
Revs. J.L. Blake and Bonner served from 1929 until 1932. Rev. L.M. Turner pastored for six years and was succeeded by the Rev. Hattie Smoot, who served until 1946. In 1947, Rev. J.W. Butler was summoned and served through 1953. Rev. I.W. Mitchell Sr. pastored until January 1955 when Rev. Thomas J. Sawyer came to Sharon.
It was in 1956 that Rev. Sawyer accepted the calling to pastor Cedar Avenue Church of God. Under his leadership, a major building expansion began to add the present fellowship hall, Sunday school rooms, and other needed facilities. His tenure ended in 1968 and, in 1969, the congregation voted to accept Rev. Noah W. White Jr. as pastor. During Rev. White’s pastorate, the completion of a new parsonage and new interior and front architectural structure of the church was done. Rev. White served the church until 1982.
In September 1985, Rev. Dr. Smith accepted the charge to lead the ministries. During his leadership, the conversion of the old sanctuary into offices and Sunday school rooms and the building of the present sanctuary were completed. Ministries flourished and new ones were added. He resigned in 1999 to go to Atlanta and was succeeded by Rev. Angel de la Cruz, who served until 2003.
Rev. Charles W. Johnson Jr. accepted the charge and has pastored since 2004. He shared a new vision and community outreach for the church, being instrumental in providing a 40-space paved parking lot with provisions for young people to play basketball on two courts; new sidewalks around the parking lot; two new outdoor marquees; and air conditioning and new carpeting in the fellowship hall.
The pastor, elders and congregation have acquired several parcels of property in the area to continue the vision toward building a Family Life Center, made possible by contributions and commitments made by the former and current members.
Church sees community benefits for Family Life Center
A series of praise and worship events commemorating the 100th anniversary of Cedar Avenue Church of God will climax in another milestone, groundbreaking for the building of the church’s Family Life Center.
The Family Life Center, a vision of the Rev. Charles W. Johnson Jr., is intended to address the needs and challenges of the greater community by “providing a variety of recreational, social, educational and practical programs that enhance the quality of life in the Shenango Valley and give tangible evidence of the love and concern of Cedar Avenue Church of God as a dedicated people of faith,” according to church information.
Through the center, “the hopes and prayers of Cedar Avenue Church of God are to transform our community into a vibrant place in which youth and adults can flourish to the glory of God.”
The Family Life Center will provide a variety of services including organized recreation, sports outreach ministries, after-school programs, mentoring, youth Christian development, a performing arts program, wellness center, counseling, parenting, advanced learning, entrepreneurship preparation, leadership training, senior adult activities and adult computer training classes.
The structure will be built on lots secured on Beechwood Avenue in Farrell, across the street from the main church building.
To support the Family Life Center, donations may be made to Cedar Avenue Church of God, Attention: Family Life Center, 1045 Cedar Ave., Sharon, PA 16146.

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