LAWRENCE — It was a joyous Christmas for members of Church of God of Prophecy.
After five years of renting space at local churches, the Hispanic evangelical group celebrated the birth of Christ in its new church building at 54 East Haverhill St.
“It’s a dream come true,” said the Rev. Juan Melo, pastor of Church of God. “There are no words to describe how we feel. This will give us a chance to serve God and the community.”
Church of God bought the former Holy Cross Armenian Church last month.
Church of God is one of two ethnic congregations that have recently purchased new buildings in the city — the other being St. Paul’s Kenyan Community Church, a Anglican group that bought Immaculate Conception Polish National Church at the corner of Andover and Phillips streets.
“It’s a time to celebrate and give thanks to God,” said the Rev. Peter Gachathi, pastor of St. Paul’s.
It took more than a year for the members of Church of God to raise the down payment for the building, which cost $550,000 total.
Members raised funds through car washes, dinners and Christian concerts. Members also made pledges and some even took out personal loans to help buy the church. Church of God of Prophecy also received an interest-free loan from the Northeast region Hispanic Church of God of Prophecy.
“All the efforts and sacrifices we made makes it much more meaningful,” Melo said.
Church of God had been interested in purchasing the Armenian church since it went up for sale about seven years ago.
Back then, Holy Cross of Lawrence and St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Haverhill merged — the first two Armenian congregations in the United States to do so. The sale of the two church buildings is funding the construction of the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe in Haverhill.
St. Paul’s Kenyan Community Church began in Malden in 2001. Members worshiped in the Malden Community Center before moving to Lawrence on May 6 after buying Immaculate Conception Polish National Church for $460,000.
The former Polish church was closed last year after a dwindling membership and the failing health of its pastor, the Rev. Maryan Gorzela, who died this month.
On the walls of St. Paul’s, the story of Jesus’ walk to Calvary is told in Polish. Meanwhile, members of the youth choir rehearse songs in Kikuyu, a Kenyan dialect, for the Sunday service.
“We want to teach them our native tongue and the values of life according to our culture so they don’t forget where we come from,” Gachathi said.
In addition to spreading God’s word, Gachathi said the church’s goal is to preserve Kenyan culture and help in the neighborhood by starting a food pantry.
“God brought us here for a divine reason and not just for the Kenyan community,” said Kibai Gikuyu, who is charge of church development. “We want to be a blessing for the other people around us.”
Holy Cross and Immaculate Conception were among several church buildings up for sale in the city.
There are still three church properties on the market, all owned by the Archdiocese of Boston: Holy Trinity Church and School both on Trinity Street and St. Patrick Convent on Parker Street.
Merrimack Valley
Hispanic, Kenyan churches thriving in city
- Merrimack Valley
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Health violations issued for historic Osgood Street property
Andover officials have issued numerous health-law citations against Susan Odle, owner of this historic pre-Revolutionary property at 116 Osgood St., over the piles of full trash bags piling up around the property.
ANDOVER — A broken-down mini-van filled with clutter, beat-up furniture and weathered toys are scattered across the historic Osgood Farm property.
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Neighbors have said the unsightly materials have been piling up in the yard and inside the home at 116 Osgood St. for years. But the latest addition — hundreds of full trash bags in the front yard — has become a cause for concern for many of them. -
Still moving in the same comfortable rhythm
Editor's Note: In the spirit of Valentine's Day, The Eagle-Tribune asked readers to tell us stories about their lasting relationships — how they worked through the challenges over the years and kept their love healthy and alive. The series continues through tomorrow, highlighting compelling stories of Love's Enduring Promise.
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Sending the kids away: Strikers' children went to safety in Vermont
When Salvatore Savinelli was just 4 years old, he hopped on a train bound for Barre, Vt., with 35 other children and his father as the group made its way out of the city in the midst of one of the biggest strikes in U.S. history.
Continued ... - Vermont town proud of its role
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- Community calendar
- Saturday, February 11, 2012
- Early morning, two-alarm fire on High Street, Haverhill drives family out of house
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- Man charged with hat theft
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- Friday, February 10, 2012
- Spanish class exchange lets LHS, Phillips Academy students discover common interests
- Write your own success stories, students told
- State of city deadline missed again
- Retiring moderator's advice: 'Stay out of arguments'
- Man facing child porn charges said that he attended Merrimack
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