|
|
|
How we came to be...!
The Church of God by Faith in Yulee, Florida began in a tent erected by the late Elder Kelly Mitchell in June of 1955. At that time, the only persons in Yulee professing “holiness” were the late Mother Mamie Gilyard and her daughter, the late Mother Ophelia Sermon. The tent was located on the north side of Mother Sermon’s home, and a three week “soul saving’ revival was conducted by the late Elder Moses Mack. At the close of the revival, four souls were added, and they continued to hold worship services under the tent.
In the meantime, the saints at Gross (Sandhill) built a new Church, thus, leaving the old Church vacant. The Executive Council of our National Church gave approval for the old building to be moved to Yulee. The late Elder Mitchell along with Deacon Leo Green, Sr. dismantled the church, transported and erected it in Yulee despite resistance in the community to having a Holiness Church. Initially, the Church was assembled on the west side of what is now Palm Tree Drive. After a brief legal dispute regarding property, the Church was literally rolled to the east side of the road with the help of a pulpwood truck owned by Mr. David Terrell where the Allen White Fellowship Hall now stands.
Elder Mitchell was the first Pastor, followed by the late Elder Kelsie Woods and Elder Frank Townsend. In December of 1965, Elder Willie L. Phillips was assigned as Pastor. Under his leadership, the vision for a new church was birthed, one that would be suitable to the needs of a growing congregation. The Groundbreaking ceremony was in April of 1975, and a new House of Worship was dedicated to the Lord in August of 1977.
By December 1980, many new faces had been added to the congregation, most noticeably, a new Pastor, Elder Harry J. Johnson and his family. Yulee was his first pastoral assignment, and he came with a great deal of enthusiasm, a keen sense of leadership and a vision of a higher level that God wanted to take the Church. Pastor Johnson was inspired to give our church a name. The Congregation was asked to participate in suggesting names. In 1981, Pastor’s oldest son, Jamie, age 9, suggested “Solid Rock” and the Congregation agreed. Almost immediately, Pastor Johnson recognized that the old church building serving as a Fellowship Hall was no longer suitable and that we needed a Fellowship Hall and Educational Facility. Under the direction of Deacon Leo Green, Sr. the Fellowship Hall/Educational Facility was completed and dedicated to the Lord in 1984 and was named in honor of the late Deacon Allen White who envisioned an Educational Facility.
In 1987, a parsonage was added for the comfort of our Pastor and his family. In 2005, when the family had outgrown the need for a parsonage, Deacon Green envisioned and converted the facility into a Life Development Hall for training and education.
We are in awe of our great and wonderful God for the things He is doing at Solid Rock and in our personal lives as the vision continues to unfold!
In the meantime, the saints at Gross (Sandhill) built a new Church, thus, leaving the old Church vacant. The Executive Council of our National Church gave approval for the old building to be moved to Yulee. The late Elder Mitchell along with Deacon Leo Green, Sr. dismantled the church, transported and erected it in Yulee despite resistance in the community to having a Holiness Church. Initially, the Church was assembled on the west side of what is now Palm Tree Drive. After a brief legal dispute regarding property, the Church was literally rolled to the east side of the road with the help of a pulpwood truck owned by Mr. David Terrell where the Allen White Fellowship Hall now stands.
Elder Mitchell was the first Pastor, followed by the late Elder Kelsie Woods and Elder Frank Townsend. In December of 1965, Elder Willie L. Phillips was assigned as Pastor. Under his leadership, the vision for a new church was birthed, one that would be suitable to the needs of a growing congregation. The Groundbreaking ceremony was in April of 1975, and a new House of Worship was dedicated to the Lord in August of 1977.
By December 1980, many new faces had been added to the congregation, most noticeably, a new Pastor, Elder Harry J. Johnson and his family. Yulee was his first pastoral assignment, and he came with a great deal of enthusiasm, a keen sense of leadership and a vision of a higher level that God wanted to take the Church. Pastor Johnson was inspired to give our church a name. The Congregation was asked to participate in suggesting names. In 1981, Pastor’s oldest son, Jamie, age 9, suggested “Solid Rock” and the Congregation agreed. Almost immediately, Pastor Johnson recognized that the old church building serving as a Fellowship Hall was no longer suitable and that we needed a Fellowship Hall and Educational Facility. Under the direction of Deacon Leo Green, Sr. the Fellowship Hall/Educational Facility was completed and dedicated to the Lord in 1984 and was named in honor of the late Deacon Allen White who envisioned an Educational Facility.
In 1987, a parsonage was added for the comfort of our Pastor and his family. In 2005, when the family had outgrown the need for a parsonage, Deacon Green envisioned and converted the facility into a Life Development Hall for training and education.
We are in awe of our great and wonderful God for the things He is doing at Solid Rock and in our personal lives as the vision continues to unfold!
|
|
|