Although humble the beginning, great is our history! The Refuge Church of God first began in the late 1950s, when a group of members of the Lafayette Avenue Church of God was led to hold a series of weekly prayer meetings at the home of Sister Clementine Johnson at 119 Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. Because of the rapid increase and growth of the group, it was necessary to find a larger facility; therefore a hall was leased at 239 Hancock Street, Brooklyn, New York, where Sunday and Tuesday night meetings were held.
It was during these meetings that the saints were led to establish a work and to call the Reverend Lionel Yearwood as its first pastor. Under his capable leadership, the work continued to grow and prosper, and on October 30th, 1959, the Refuge Church of God became an incorporated body.
By the month of August 1962, the membership had increased to 65, necessitating the acquisition of a larger edifice. The faithful membership of the Refuge Church of God located a site at 595-97 Quincy Street, Brooklyn, New York and later purchased it. On that site was a burned out building which formerly housed the Exodus A.M.E. Church with a huge pot bellied stove among the rubble and ashes. It was from these ashes that our present edifice rose.
This was the beginning of a great test of faith as some of the members became discouraged and seemed overwhelmed by the great task that was ahead of them. All did not go well as the building project was started. There were contractual and financial difficulties because of unscrupulous businessmen, but as in Nehemiah's day, the members faith became undaunted as they encouraged themselves in the Lord, knowing that He would lead them, and so they put their faith to work by performing unselfish deeds.
Some took second jobs, while others mortgaged their homes and gave their lifesavings in order to pool their resources. In addition, a mortgage was taken and in 1972 by the help of God the members of the Refuge Church of God burned the mortgage, earlier than contracted.
Over it's nearly 50 year history the Refuge Church of God has been served faithfully by four pastors; our founding pastor, Rev. Lionel Yearwood (1959-1979), Rev. Alfred Sealy (1980-1992), Rev. Dr. Harold Layne (1993-2006) and our current pastor, Rev. Kevin R. Osbourne (January 2007-present).
We also can not forget the indelible mark left by such saints as Deacon Preston Boyce, Sis. Clementine Johnson, Sis. Semper, Bro. Skinner, Bro. Ward, Sis. Catherine Rivers, Sis. Legall, Deacon Chandler, Mother Edna Yearwood and many, many, more. It is because of the obedience of saints like these why we are still serving today, shaping tomorrow.
|
