Founder and Organizer the late Bishop Rufus Abraham Reid Johnson, came struggling through this part of Virginia known as Cobham, now Gordonsville, but better know as Cobham. Planting the seed of the gospel, preaching repentance, and you must be born again. The seed sprung up in the late Elder Charles Lewis, his late wife Emma, and his late daughter Earline. It was in the year of 1920 in the month of June.

They suffered many things because holiness was not heard of much. It was like a new doctrine. They held services in homes and in a barn. They purchased a one room school house. The enemies burned that. Then, they were back in homes and barns again. They were threatened if they didn't stop that kind of doctrine and if they die, they wouldn't bury them in their cemetery. The enemies mocked speaking in tongues and other praises that was rendered unto the Lord. At some point the sheriff was called in the mist of the services. People would stand outside and blow cigarette smoke through the windows.

But with their unshakeable faith in God, the Lord blessed and souls were added. They were able to build a small church in which the pillars of that building still stand today, built by Bishop R.A.R. Johnson.

As the congregation grew the building was too small. It was enlarged and the congregation outgrew that building. The Saints decided they needed a larger place. Then, the present temple was built in 1956-1957. The Lord is blessing and adding souls and soon the present temple will be too small.

In 1996 a new dining room, kitchen, vestibule, and side porches were added with our new dining room converted to larger rest room, a pastor study, ladies lounge and a finance room. Also, some changes were made in the sanctuary. We can say with Psalms 126:3 "The Lord hath done great things for us where of we are glad."

In 1999 a new pastor study and nursery was added. The former pastor study is a finance room and the former finance room is used for a multi-purpose room. The Lord blessed us to do all these renovations and additions to the church debt free. To God be the glory.

We thank the Lord for allowing us to celebrate the church 84th anniversary. The Lord has brought us from a long way; in which we are grateful for all that he has done.

We've come this far by faith; To God be the glory! We give God the praises.

Written by Elect Lady Ruth E. Ragland, Asst. Pastor
Revised by Sis. Brenda Ragland, church secretary