Our history

Our Statement of Faith

                 WE BELIEVE in one God, as stated in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Ephesians 4:5-6. We believe that the Bible is God's inspired, trustworthy, and true written word, as affirmed in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. We believe that Jesus Christ is God, as highlighted in John 1:1 and Colossians 2:9-12. We believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, making Him the Son of God, as noted in Luke 1:35. We believe that Jesus lived a sinless life and that His death paid for our sins through His shed blood, as explained in Hebrews 9:22-28 and Romans 6:23. We believe in His resurrection and that the only way to be born again is through faith in Jesus Christ, along with repentance of our sins, water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit b, as stated in John 3:4-5, Acts 2:38, and Mark 16:16. We believe that the Holy Spirit dwells within believers and guides them to live righteous lives, a belief supported by Romans 6:3-14 and Ephesians 1:13-14. We believe in eternal life; by being born again, we will spend eternity in Heaven, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Matthew 25:31-46. Finally, we believe in the spiritual unity of all born-again believers, who are members of His body, the Church. This belief is based on Philippians 2:1-4.

A History of the Connecticut District Council (CDC)

THE GOSPEL AND MORE

    This is an abridged and revised history of the first 50 years of our Council, covering the period from 1935 to 1985. This account was first published in the 1983 CDC Minute Book. It does not contain all the ministers, churches, or events during this period. Bishop George H. Brooks was the diocesan when this historical account was written initially.

 "The Connecticut District Council (CDC), known as the 20th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc. (P.A.W.), is located in the beautiful rolling hills and picturesque valleys of the New England States. It encompasses Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the city of Springfield, Massachusetts.”

The Connecticut District Council was established in May 1935 when a group of saints from three churches met in New Haven, Connecticut. The Council was organized under the leadership of the late Bishop Samuel Grimes, the presiding Bishop of the P.A.W. His diocese was the eastern seaboard of the United States. The Council was organized, and its first officers were: Elder W. Seaton, Chairman; Brother James Long, Vice Chairman; Sister E. Johnson, Secretary; Sister J. Washington, Assistant Secretary; Elder J. Green, Treasurer (May to December 1935); and Sister E. Meyers, Treasurer (1936).

  Also in 1936, Elder Lambert Tolbert became pastor of Beulah Heights Church in New Haven and was elected Chairman, and Sister Thorn was the Assistant Secretary. In November 1936, Elder George Brooks, pastor of Star Bethlehem in Ansonia (later Bishop), was elected Chairman. Two more churches in Bridgeport were added in 1936. In 1937, the Pentecostal Assembly Church in Waterbury, Pastor Lulu Jackson, was added. In 1939, Elder Brooks was elected Chairman, Elder Tolbert was elected Vice Chairman, and Deacon Charles Simmons became the Treasurer. Light House Church was opened in Bridgeport with Elder Green as pastor.

   In May of 1940, Sister Meyers was appointed Secretary of the Council. By 1945, the Council had grown to include six churches. In March of 1948, the CDC hosted the P.A.W. Bishop Board's Mid-Winter meeting for the first time. Elder George Brooks was promoted to District Elder, and the Council welcomed its first state evangelists, Sisters Tolbert and Hoffler (Pastor Parris). The C.D.C. has always been an ardent supporter of the P.A.W., supporting Dr. Ellen Moore Hopkins, Aenon Bible School, and the Christian Outlook, among others.

In the second half of 1949, Elder Reed took over as the pastor of Christ Temple, while Evangelist Martha Sapp became pastor of Bethesda Church in New Britain. In February of the following year, Elder Clarence Allen brought his church into the Council, bringing the total number of churches to seven. Elder J. Shaw was appointed as the assistant pastor in New Britain.

Between 1945 and 1951, there were attempts to hold day sessions for our Council and a Pastors' Meeting. In 1950, Elder G. Brooks became the pastor of Beulah Heights, and Elder Robert Jones was appointed assistant pastor in Ansonia. That same year, Pastor E. Hoffler (Parris) established a church in Meriden, CT. By 1951, the Council had eight churches, and in February 1952, Deacon Ozell Gooding was appointed as the Council's first sergeant-at-arms. Also, Elder Eugene Redd was named assistant pastor at Star Bethlehem in Ansonia. In May 1953, Elder John Shaw was elected as the Vice-Chairman. In 1958, Elder Jenkins became the pastor of a church located in Bridgeport. District Elder G. Brooks was elevated to the position of Bishop, and Elder John Shaw was elevated to the position of District Elder around the same time. In 1959, another church was established in Bristol. Additionally, Pastor Ruth Williams and her church left the Christ Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) organization and joined the CDC.

In November 1960, the Western Massachusetts and Rhode Island Council became a part of the Connecticut State Council. In 1961, a Baptist pastor, Elder Frank Foster, brought his church into the P.A.W. He and the members of his church were baptized in Jesus' name and received the Holy Ghost. The Council was incorporated in November 1962. In May 1963, Elder Marion Shaw became the 2nd Vice Chairman of the Council, and Evangelist A. Tilman became the assistant secretary. Elder Andrew Clancy was appointed Sergeant-at-arms in May 1964.

“For Life and Life More Abundantly.”