Ethan Temple Cut Ribbon on New Church

From its humble beginnings in a two story house on Home Ave in 1923, the Ethan Temple church is praising God for it new $1.7 million facility, situated on 30 acres of land in the city of Trotwood a suburb of Dayton, Ohio. The Sanctuary is the 1st of a several phase project to include a school, community center, and senior housing.

“Magnificent, honor and glory, simply wonderful” were the words of Jeanie Anderson member of Ethan Temple when she views the church. The church congregation celebrated its achievement with a weekend grand opening. Friends, former pastors, conference leaders, and community officials joined with them in praising God. The events began with a Friday evening consecration service in which Elder Joseph Harris, the previous pastor, spoke on a subject that everyone could appreciate and use the counsel in their lives, “Good News for Bad Times.’ Sabbath Morning began with a crowd of people outside the church for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The Honorable Darreyl Davis & Joyce Cameron, Mayor and Vice Mayor of the city of Trotwood were on hand to present a proclamation and welcome the church to the community. Chrystal Dell says it’s a start of a new chapter in a new community.” Then dignatires proceeded to cut the ribbon then Mr. David Frye, VP,Religious Facilities, Bruns General Contracting, Inc. presented the keys to the church to Elder Harcourt King and under a glorious trumpet fanfare processed into the church.

The divine worship service was filled with music and accolades of congratulations from city official, conference administrators, local & former pastors, as well as the son of one of the founders, William Wright gave a 1st hand historical view and review of the church’s humble beginnings in 1923. Elder Fredrick Russell, former pastor, gave an inspiring, stirring, spirit filled message titled, “I Want More.”

The celebration was highlited with music in which the angels joined in and sang, the musical guest were Anita Adams, Clifford Reynolds & Lenard Jennings, Father and daughter, Fred Willis & Nevea Davis, Patty Mosby, Aisha Taylor, Brooke Harris, Denise Coleman & Cory Kendrick. One of the musical highlights was the mass choir under the direction of the guest musical cliniticans for the weekend were Dr. Jeremy Winston, assoc. professor of music at Wilberforce University and hold of the Ray Charles Distinguished Chair of Sacred and Choral Music and Mrs. Anita Adams, wife of local pastor, and adminstrator of Good Samaritan North Health Center.

The Dedication Service was preceed by a a Sacred Concert with performance by the pathfinders and friends of the church. Elder King lead the congregation in the Litany and Elder James Lewis, president of AWC, concluded the day with the message title, “An Inside Job.”

Paul reminds us that one man plants, another watereth but God brings the increase, how true that is what started under the leadership of Elder Harris, became reality under Elder King, now the congregation awaits God to grow them into developing the 30 acres He has blessed them with. Speaking of the events of Mildred Sherron, chair of the grand opening committee, commented,”Our prayers were answered and the Lord was gloried.”