HONORING OUR PAST WHILE PRESSING FORWARD

On June 14, 1987, with seventy-three percent of the adult membership present, we voted to
withdraw from the East Ohio United Methodist Conference and became "an members: independent body" namely, St. Paul Methodist Church. 

​

As an independent body with no place to worship, our first service was held in a neighbor’s yard behind St. Paul UMC on July5, 1987. We became St. Paul Methodist with Rev. O. F. O. Nwoku as our pastor. Housing was a critical issue, and we subsequently worshipped at the Ramada Inn in Bedford, Ohio, the Three-Square Party Center on Stockbridge Avenue
and Lee Road and the Spectrum on Miles Avenue.

From October to December 1987 while at the Spectrum, the church Constitution was created, and the Visions Building Program was developed. Various members donated such items as Hymnals, Bibles, Collection Plates, Piano, Organ and the list goes on. One of the most important events of our first year was the ordination and Consecration Services officiated by His Grace.

 

The Most Rev. Dr. Joseph O. E. Soremekun, Archbishop Emeritus, The Methodist Church, Nigeria, Rev. O. F. D. Nwoku was ordained an Elder, Mary Harpe and Ronald Lee, Deacons and Nancy Smith, Georgy Johnson and Luther Gibbs, Worship Assistants.

​

On July 3, 1988, the first Church Anniversary was held at Camp Cleveland. We were incorporated on August 17, 1988, by the State of Ohio as St. Paul Congregational Methodist Church. The Church finally changed its name to Calvary Congregational Church in 1993 while Rev. Denick Noel served as Interim pastor.

The Building Fund increased through pledges and fund-raisers such as: Everybody's Birthday Celebrations, church banquets, church-wide Talents Projects and weekly Visions Program. The Women's Christian Fellowship held annual luncheons, compiled and sold cookbooks: the Men's Christian Fellowship sold barbecue dinners and sponsored musical
programs: the Youth Fellowship sold candy, sponsored car washes and fashion shows.
 

During these years of intense, concentrated fund-raising, we did not neglect our spiritual life or our commitment to mission as we were regularly involved with volunteering at Metro-Health Center for Skilled Nursing Care and community outreach activities such as, Spring Revivals, Prayer Breakfasts, Vacation Bible School, Family Night, Bazaars, Religious Plays,
Girl Scout Troop #1020 and the Liturgical Dancers.

In March of 1992 we relocated to a store front at 4117 Lee Road. Some unpleasant events during our brief stay at that location, led to our terminating Rev. O.F.O. Nwokи as pastor and losing members. Then on June 5, 1994, after seven years of hard work and dedicated service, the members of Calvary reached their goal of erecting and moving into its own
building at 4424 Lee Road, Cleveland, OН 44128.

​

​

​​

​

​

​

​