Our church began in the home of a very faithful missionary who would not take “no” for an answer. In 1963, the Lord touched the heart of Missionary Catherine McNair.

The ministry’s first move was to a small building (10 x 16 feet) on Cord Avenue. After a couple of intermediary moves (1964 ~ Moncrief Road; 1966 ~ West 16th Street) in 1969, we began inquiring about an old dilapidated corner lot at 26th Street and Chase Avenue. It was a five room wood frame house with another building approximately 20 x 15 feet that needed extensive repairs. The buildings were investigated and purchased. After several transitions and renovations, in 1981, the church at 1224 gained physical beauty.

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, our Pastor saw the need to seek another place of “Refuge”.

There was the immediate need for larger accommodations; therefore, attempt was made to purchase the church across Rowe Avenue where Walgreens now sits. In 1995, we purchased the current property which was intended for parking in conjunction with the church building.

Following the leading of the Lord, shortly thereafter, Pastor Groover along with his son, Dr. Timothy Groover, began designing the new edifice. In December 1, 1995, Pastor Groover gave the prophecy that the 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. The brick veneer was completed under the direction of (District Elder) Bishop Anderson Williams. However, further construction was halted after Bishop Groover discovered that the builder had changed the fabrication and design of the Temple, entirely deleting the balcony and shortening the overall dimensions of the building.

Determined to pull down strong holds, Pastor Groover, Bishop Walter Jackson, and Deacon Theodore McBride went to work redesigning the balcony to compensate for the smaller structure. Construction resumed in 1997 and many errors were detected and corrected. The brothers went to work and installed the balcony. At Watch Night Service in 1997, Pastor Groover spoke the prophetic world that 1998 would be the “Year of New Beginnings”. As the Lord added to the physical building, he continued to send “gifts from heaven”. During the construction, Bud Ellison, a professional tile layer, passed by the building and the Lord “drew him in.” He donated his time and expertise to the building of God’s Temple. Brother Ellison received his water baptism in Jesus’ Name. 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, hundreds 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!