"On Saturday night, the historically Black South Berkeley church kicked off a two-day event, celebrating its centennial with a three-hour service that attracted people from all over, including Bishop J. Drew Sheard, the international Presiding Bishop of the Churches of God in Christ, who came from Atlanta."
"Initially known as The Church of God in Christ when it opened in Berkeley in 1926, it became The Ephesian Church of God in Christ in 1946. It moved to its current site on the corner of Alcatraz Avenue and King Street in 1951, the last of three moves since the congregation bought its first building on Carleton Street in 1929."
"“Don't just sit there today at this service. I know we're in black, but we're not dressed for a funeral,” Minister Philip Logan said. “We're here to celebrate. A hundred years is a long time. We've got 100 reasons to thank God. Come on.”"
"Church officials said they expect to break ground on the $13 million project, replacing the church's parking lots and a vacant building, this summer. It's not just the historical significance but being a pillar in the community as they have been and, even with the times changing and with the African American population not necessarily being here, it's still home."
The Ephesian Church of God in Christ marked its centennial in Berkeley with a two-day celebration featuring music, praise, and prayer. A three-hour service on Saturday drew attendees from across the region, including Bishop J. Drew Sheard. The congregation began in 1926 as The Church of God in Christ, became The Ephesian Church of God in Christ in 1946, and moved to its current Alcatraz Avenue and King Street location in 1951 after earlier relocations. The church continues Sunday worship and emphasizes celebration and gratitude. It has supported community needs during major periods such as the 1960s civil rights struggle and plans to build an 80-unit low-income senior housing complex next door, replacing parking lots and a vacant building.
#centennial-celebration #church-history #community-outreach #low-income-senior-housing #berkeley-civil-rights
Read at www.berkeleyside.org
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