The Greater Refuge Temple is a member of the International Organization, Church of our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc (COOLJC). The Church of our Lord was founded in 1919 by Bishop Robert Clarence Lawson. The headquarters church is located in New York, New York. The organization has churches throughout the United States and in 22 foreign countries. From 1995 to 2001, our Pastor, Bishop Groover, served as the Presiding Bishop of the entire organization. In 2001, Chief Apostle William L. Bonner, appointed Bishop Groover to serve as his Executive Assistant. The local church was organized in 1963. Through the Word of God and visionary leadership by our Pastors, the church has grown by leaps and bounds.

The Greater Refuge Temple Family is a group of people who love the Lord Jesus Christ and each other dutifully.  Our church began in 1963 in the heart and home of a very faithful missionary, Mother Catherine Hester McNair.

After a few intermediary moves, the church Family worshipped at 1224 West 26^th Street. The Lord continued to add to the church filling souls with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. Many were saying “yes” to the Holy command of water baptism in Jesus’ Name. Particularly notable was that between May 1973 and March 1983, 333 souls were baptized in water. Even more outstanding was that between May 1982 and November 1982, 66 souls received their baptism in Jesus’ Name. Because of these blessings, Pastor Groover saw the need to seek another place of “Refuge”.

Following the leading of the Lord, Pastor Groover along with his son, Dr. Timothy Groover, began designing the new edifice. In December 1, 1995, Bishop Groover gave the prophecy that problematic situations would be “Fixed in ‘96”. After crossing many civil and political hurdles, the building permits were finally issued. The foundation was laid in December 1996. At Watch Night Service of the same year, Pastor Groover once again prophesied that what “God Fixed in ‘96”, would be “Manifested in ‘97”. By April of 1997, our beautiful edifice began to take shape. At Watch Night Service in 1997, Pastor Groover spoke the prophetic world that 1998 would be the “Year of New Beginnings”.  Construction was briefly halted because of problems with the fabrications, but just 5 months after construction resumed…Behold, “This is the Lord’s doing: it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalms 118:23

The first service in the new building was held on Sunday, May 31, 1998 and the Greater Refuge Temple was dedicated to the Lord on Saturday, June 6, 1998. The service was performed by Chief Apostle William L. Bonner and many dignitaries were in attendance including, Apostle Henry Ross, City Officials, International Department Heads and saints of the Most High God.

Since we began fellowshipping in this location, thousands of souls have been baptized in water in Jesus’ Name and confessed the infilling  of the Holy Ghost. To God Be The Glory! … It’s Getting Better All The Time!