In 1959, Elder Mannen Bell, Missionary Jewell Lee
Sanders, Bro. Raymon Sanders, and Sister Pirlie Mae
Alexanders came from Portland, Oregon to Tacoma to
Missionary Lucille McMillian’s home. This was the
beginning of Temple #202, located at 2331 S. “G”
Street. In her home, Bro. Willis Danials and
family, and Elder Major Whitten were added to the
body.
Later a new location was purchased at 2303 S.
Sheridan. The Lord blessed the church and in
December of 1959, the church moved to another
location at 202 Fawcett Ave. On June 5, 1960 Sis.
Mercey D. August, and Sis. Inez Martin was added.
In August 1960, there was a revival conducted by
Evangelist Mary R. Starks. Elder and Sis. Willie M.
Tyus were added at that time.
Our present location at 1954 “M” Street was
purchased, shortly after Bro. Sam Daniels was added
to the church family. On August 27, 1961, we were
blessed to have Evangelist Nola P. Love who was the
first Minister of the Church of the Living God, CWFF,
to start a Church in the Pacific Northwest. She
replaced Elder Bell and did a wonderful work. There
were many that came into the fold and also some that
fell away. Bro. LaRue Crain was added to the church
family.
In 1964 Evangelist R.V. Poston, Mother Baker, Sis.
Edwards and Evangelist Pettis were added. In 1964
the Jordan family, Sis. Louise Webber and Sis. Mary
Bundage was added.
In 1964 Evangelist Poston replaced Evangelist Love.
In 1968, Sis. Anna Ruth Cameron and family, Mother
Virginia Madden, Sis Annette Maxwell, Sis Idella
Moorer and Sis Deborah Crain were added. During
that same time, Missionary Stella M. Adams of Los
Angeles, CA., married into this body. Also during
this time
In 1971 Pastor Posten was replaced by Elder Joseph
McCoy and family, Wife Sis. Jean McCoy and son
Jonathan. During his administration many projects
were accomplished, including the establishment of
the Annual Salad Spread and Spaghetti Feed. While
the church was in a period of transition Elder Leroy
Barnes stepped in as Interim pastor in 1976.
In 1976 Evangelist Mary Bundage and Elder Julian
Pryor served as Acting Pastors and Pastor 1978 - 79
and 1979 respectively. In November of 1979, they
were replaced by Overseer Elbert Jones, Sr. and
family. During his administration, many projects
were completed including the remolding and
refurbishing of the parsonage. In October 1981
Elder Jones was replaced by Elder Ronald L. Washum
and family. During his tenure, the church theme has
been “If You’ve Got the Faith, God’s Got the Power”.
In 1988 Elder Carlos Rogers was assigned as pastor
and served until 1990. The church once again was in
a period of transition and Elder Major Whitten
stepped in as interim pastor.
1991 the Lord saw fit to allow Elder Randy Roberson
and family to come and serve the people of God. As a
dynamic preacher/teacher of the Gospel Elder
Roberson was instrumental in rebuilding the
spiritual foundation of the body.
In October of 1995, we were blessed with Bishop
Lawrence White and family who came to continue the
work of Elder Randy Lee Roberson Sr. who again was a
dynamic preacher. Installation services were held
and officiated by Bishop Jeff Ruffin, Phoenix, AZ.
Since being under the leadership of Pastor White the
churches root theme has been “Where there is no
vision the people will perish”
(Ps. 29:18). Many of the things that the Lord has
purposed for the church, has come to pass. The
church has not only grown numerically, but most of
all spiritually. During his tenure, we have expanded
our facility and are currently in process of
acquiring our neighboring property making ready to
build a new worship center. We are excited about the
development of our youth in ministry, including the
emergence and growth of our Children’s Church. Its
purpose is the equipping and empowering of children
and youth through the Word of God and setting a
standard of excellence in mind and ministry.
In this past fiscal year we have acquired a new
church van, accomplished several remodeling
projects, and purchased additional property with
plans in erecting a new campus including a small
business incubator, which will impact economic
development in the Hilltop area.
In reflecting on the past 54 year, we have been
privileged to serve our community through outreach,
evangelism, feeding, and housing efforts. We have
been consistently committed to academic excellence
through tutoring and mentoring programs. We have
also been a respected and responsible partner to
Tacoma Public Schools, DSHS, and the Boys & Girls
Clubs of Puget Sound to name a few. Our core focus
is “building buildings, not made by hands”!
We want to finally
say congratulations our Senior Pastor/teacher on his
elevation to the office of Bishop.
National Organization History |