Our History

History of Gospel Memorial 

Church of God in Christ

 

The origin of our church goes back to a devoted woman, the late Mother Anna Lindsey. Seeing children going astray, she gathered them together and organized a Sunday School.  The Lord blessed this group and subsequently adults joined them.  This fellowship became known as Prayer Chapel Church of God in Christ.

Mother Lindsey was directed of the Lord to speak with a young minister, whom she had known since his early childhood, Elder Joe L. Ealy.  After four months of seriously seeking the will of the Lord, Elder Ealy, at the age of twenty-six was appointed Pastor.

On Sunday, June 6, 1965, the young Elder Ealy was installed as the Pastor by the late Bishop W.M. Morris, District Superintendent of the Long Beach District.  This small church family consisted of seven charter members: Deacon James Lindsey, Mother Anna Lindsey, Mother Corona Grayes, Mother Rosie Curry, Sister Doris Allen, Sister Jean Porter, Sister Edna Marrdos, and First Lady Betty Ealy.

Immediately following his installation, the new pastor conducted a two-week revival.  At the close of the revival, a business meeting was scheduled.  It was at this time, by a majority vote of the membership, the GOSPEL MEMORIAL CHURCH had its birth.  Services were held in a small storefront building in the city of Wilmington.

Within several months the membership increased to such an extent that we had outgrown our small church.  The Lord provided better accommodations in an empty store building at “D” and Figueroa Streets in the city of Wilmington.  While at this location, the Lord saved and great numbers were added to our membership.  Due to many unforeseen challenges, we were required to relocate our church three times.  For the next few years we followed as a pilgrimage of worship in various locations.  Despite being shifted from place to place, Pastor Ealy encouraged us to journey on by faith. It was during this period that Mother Lindsey transitioned from this life to be with the Lord.

After worshiping at various sites in Wilmington and Long Beach, a permanent site was located in 1971 at 1490 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach.  After months of labor by the men of the church, this building was renovated and the church was dedicated on December 12, 1971 by Superintendent Charles E. Blake.  Praise God our long pilgrimage had ended!

God greatly blessed Gospel Memorial under the capable leadership of our beloved Pastor Ealy.
With the growth in membership, the walls of 1490 could no longer contain our congregation. Our shepherd envisioned new horizons and an ultra modern sanctuary.  The Lord blessed us to acquire additional property on New York Street. The members “having a mind to work,” and to do the will of God, drafted plans to build a new house of God at 1480 Atlantic Avenue. On Sunday, December 9, 1984 the ground breaking ceremonies were held.  During the process of building, there were many challenges, times of disappointments and discouragements, but we kept the faith and continued on.  God opened closed doors and miraculously moved the obstacles from our path.


On Sunday, June 4, 1989 our faith became a reality as Bishop Charles E. Blake dedicated our new sanctuary unto the Lord.

In addition to saving souls and providing outreach ministries, Gospel Memorial Church is committed to serving the community.  The church facility is home to various community organizations and is used for meetings, forums, health and family workshops, and serves as the headquarters for the Long Beach Ministers Alliance.  The City of Long Beach installed six telephone hot lines in the church to handle community emergencies.  The church was noted for distributing food to the community during the civil unrest.

The church offers multiple ministries.  Members of Gospel Memorial organized a weekly hot meal and clothes giveaway program.  The church has served as the site for the Orange County Food Bank which weekly distributed food boxes to residents of the community. Thousands of citizens have been fed through these programs.  We have offered the Overcomers Program (Drug and Alcohol Counseling), Tutorial Program and Black Infant Care Program.

Pastor and the Gospel Memorial Family have received many commendations for outstanding contributions to religious life and for efforts to provide strength and guidance to residents of the area as well providing a strong program for the children and youth.  The Congress of Racial Equality spotlighted Gospel Memorial as one of Los Angeles County’s Ten Best Churches.

Our church has been recognized as a beacon light in the City of Long Beach. This house has been set aside for the worship of God and for the conversion of sinners.  It serves as a perpetual light to guide pilgrims through the night of time to the everlasting light.

This edifice is truly the Lord’s house. We endeavor to reach the lost by communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ which transforms the lives of men, women and children and encourages them to develop a personal relationship with Him through prayer and a solid biblical foundation.

“To God Be the Glory.”

“The Church That Cares”