Greater Refuge Temple

Sunday Worship Services

• Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
  
• Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
  
• Afternoon Service 4:00 p.m. Evening Worship 8:00 p.m.

Bible Study immediately follows Sunday morning worship and on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 p.m. Brief History of The Greater Refuge Temple The Greater Refuge Temple was founded in 1919 in New York City by the Late Bishop R.C. Lawon. It began as the Refuge Church of Christ at 56 East 131st Street under the leadership of the then young pastor, Elder Robert C. Lawson. The Lord greatly blessed the young church until larger quarters were needed within eight months. The building at 52-56 133rd Street was purchased and renovated to become the new church. Out of this church and the dynamic leadership of Bishop Lawson grew the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. organization. The growth of Refuge Church of Christ continued until larger facilities were needed. In 1945, the building at our present address was purchased and renovated to house the growing congregation. The name of the church was changed to Refuge Temple. In July of 1961, the Lord called our founder, Bishop Lawson, home from labor to reward. It was then that Bishop William L. Bonner of Detroit, Michigan became the pastor of Refuge Temple and immediately launched a building fund program for the great task of renovating the church. By the grace and help of God, this herculean task was completed, and we moved back into our completely renovated and modern church edifice in 1966. The name was changed to Greater Refuge Temple. The Lord has continued to bless and increase His work here under the leadership of Bishop William L. Bonner Remember, Those Who Pray Can Expect A Miracle!

• Gospel at the Pentecostal Greater Refuge Temple, in a former movie house, begins at a high level of energy. From there, it builds in a singing, shouting, head-bobbing, foot-stomping, full-throated crescendo with a 60-strong choir, organ, drums and electric guitar. And it reaches its final explosion of emotion with a 20-minute solo by a choir member who, in a glorious voice, sings the rollicking "Ain't Nobody Like Jesus."
  
  The enthusiasm and joy are overwhelming. Now, everyone is standing, singing, clapping to the intense beat of the music. Properly dressed women in hats pull tambourines out of their handbags and bang them. Some men dance in the aisle.
  
  would challenge any churchgoer here to remain quiet, seated, hands folded, feet still. I couldn't.
  
  Eunice Fried is a writer in New York.

Hours