OUR HISTORY
Mother RUTH POWERS
Church Mother & Founder 1960 - 2000
The Star of Bethlehem Church of God in Christ was founded in May 1955 by the late Mother Ruth Powers. It was located at 1244 5th Street, NW in Washington, DC. The original name of the church was the "Second Church of God in Christ". At the time there were only three members: Mother Ruth Powers (who served as General Church Mother until her home-going on January 24, 2000), Mother Janie Jones and Sister Rosa Walston.
The first pastor appointed by Jurisdictional Bishop Samuel Kelsey to lead this small flock was Elder Gibson. Elder Gibson served for two years, and after many obstacles and trials, decided to leave. However, the three members remained. They fasted, prayed and worked diligently selling pies, cakes and dinners to keep the church doors open.
Later, the late Elder Shaw was appointed by Bishop Kelsey as pastor. Elder Shaw was responsible for changing the name of the church to "Star of Bethlehem Church of God in Christ". Elder Shaw was not only a preacher, but he was also a baker. He worked faithfully in the church, and as a result, the church began to grow. After a year of devoted leadership, Elder Shaw became very ill and never recovered from that illness. After the death of Elder Shaw, Bishop Kelsey immediately appointed Elder Wiseman as the pastor. Elder Wiseman served several months and left suddenly.
Our Beginning 1960-1967
5th & N St, NW - Washington, DC
Elder Metcalf was the fourth appointed pastor. He worked very hard and spent his personal monies to help keep the church open. This was a hard time and the church was not progressing very well. Bishop Kelsey later installed Elder Hammond of Delaware as the fifth pastor of the church. Due to some denominational differences, Elder Hammond served only a few months. Upon the departure of Elder Hammond, Bishop Kelsey reappointed Elder Metcalf as pastor. He again worked faithfully. The progress of the church was slow due to the many changes in leadership. Bishop Kelsey, determined to turn Star of Bethlehem into a "soul saving station" for The Lord, made yet another appointment.
On the third Sunday in March 1960, Elder Harvey Lee Lewis, Sr. was appointed pastor. Elder Lewis, Sr., the seventh pastor, was accompanied by his wife, Mother Gloria Lewis, and their three children: Marie, Harvey Jr. and Winona. The early years of the ministry were trying and hard. But under Pastor Lewis' leadership and guidance, new members were being added and the church began to grow. Two years after Pastor Lewis' appointment, Mother Madeline Walston joined the church. The first family to join the church was the family of Mother Esther Jones.
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The choir, made up of children recruited from the neighborhood, was organized by one of the faithful members of the church, Sister Willie Thompson. She served as president, Pastor Lewis as the first choir director, and Mother Lewis as his assistant.
Pastor Harvey L. Lewis, Sr.
Mother Gloria F. Lewis
By the fifth year, under Pastor Lewis' leadership, the church's membership grew from 3 to 75. The church was progressing spiritually and financially. The church grew to a position where it was able to serve not only the church family, but also the surrounding community. As the church grew, Pastor Lewis saw a need for a larger facility in which to worship. In a tremendous act of faith by the pastor and the congregation, the church family relocated to 2033 11th Street, NW - where we continued to grow both spiritually and financially.
In September of 1986, the "Star" family took an even bigger step of faith and moved to a beautiful edifice at 14th & Colorado Avenue, NW. There, the membership worshipped God and served the community for more than thirty-three years. Under the leadership of Bishop Harvey Lewis, Sr., The Lord allowed us to purchase that church without money when it was not for sale. By the leading of The Lord, we have transitioned to our present location where we continue to reach the lost and strengthen the saved.
11th & V Street, NW - Washington, DC
1967 - 1986
14th & Colorado Ave, NW - Washington, DC
1986 - 2019
In January 2016, Bishop Harvey Lewis, Sr. passed the baton of leadership to National Evangelist Winona Lewis Jones, who now serves as Shepherdess, ably assisted by her husband, Elder Lawrence P. Jones. Together they continue to build upon the foundation laid by her parents, who are yet serving as our Senior Advisors, and Jurisdictional Prelate and Elect Lady of the Rhode Island Jurisdiction (Church of God in Christ).
