From “The Hall” in 1932 to one church in two locations, the story of Revival Center is a story of prayer, persecution, perseverance, and the faithfulness of God.
1932 – 1940
The Hall
The Church of God in Christ started in Florence, Alabama in 1932. Elder Hannah was the Pastor. The Saints worshiped in an old building called “The Hall.” In 1935 the Lord sent Elder J.A. Hardison, who began prayer meetings and revivals. In 1939 the Lord sent W.R. Morrow to Florence to lead His people.
Hand clapping, drum beating, and foot stomping, the Saints were praising and thanking God in Florence. Prayer meetings continued in the homes. Door to door and jail house ministries were held. Street services were even conducted, and people came to “The Hall.” Soon there was not enough room. In 1940 Elder Morrow rented a house on Sweetwater Street, started a revival, and souls were saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. Many of the souls added are the heritage of the Saints of the Church today.
1939 – 1995
Faith Temple to Morrow Temple
Under the leadership of Elder Morrow, young people began to get saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. Some of these young people are now Church Mothers and Missionaries. During this time, God gave Elder Morrow the name Faith Temple COGIC. In 1943, land was purchased on Bunting Hill for the building of the facility at 802 Kinnard Street by the late Mother Annie Blackburn.
The Lord allowed Elder Morrow to pastor over 50 years, which resulted in the church being renamed in his honor: Faith Temple became Morrow Temple. Elder Morrow led many lay men and women, Deacons, Mothers, Missionaries, and Ministers, including a young man by the name of Larry Anderson, who would become Minister and, upon being ordained, Elder Larry Anderson.
1983 – 2001
New Life Church of God in Christ
One year after being ordained, the Lord gave Elder Anderson a vision to find a new church in the city of Sheffield, Alabama. With Psalms 127:1 in his heart, Elder Anderson took his wife and two daughters and on October 11, 1983, founded the New Life Church of God in Christ in Sheffield. “My people are like sheep having no shepherd and are gone astray. Go and take care of them,” said the Lord to Elder Anderson, “and I will give them NEW LIFE.”
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.”Psalm 127:1
Services were held in the Mission for two and a half years, during which time Elder Anderson endured hardship and persecution. Financial institutions were uncooperative. God led him to William Franklin, Pastor of the Tuscumbia Church of God, who recommended Elder Anderson to Valley Federal Savings and Loans, where Vice President Steve Davis said YES when so many others had said NO.
On August 29, 1986, Elder Anderson and the congregation became the new owners of the Tuscumbia Church of God, renaming it New Life Church of God in Christ. In March 1987, vandals forcibly entered the sanctuary, pillaging and then setting fire to God’s house. It would cost better than forty thousand dollars to repair. By the grace of God, the church was restored to its full beauty and splendor. The small membership cried out to God and humbled themselves with sacrifices, and the church opened again for saving souls, feeding the poor, giving comfort to those in prison, clothing the naked, and teaching the Word of God.
The Lord called Elder Morrow home to be at rest.
Bishop O.L. Meadows appointed Elder Anderson pastor of the now-named Morrow Memorial COGIC. A church van, Children’s Church, Van Ministry, Nursing Home Ministry, and Youth Ministry followed.
Land was purchased for building the Lord a new house, while Elder Anderson pastored two churches, preaching at each every Sunday.
2002
And the Two Became One
On February 27, 2002, in a joint business meeting, the church bodies of New Life COGIC and Morrow Memorial COGIC unanimously voted to merge and become one church body, ratified by Jurisdictional Prelate Bishop O.L. Meadows and his Executive Committee on March 20, 2002. Morrow Memorial became the site for weeknight services and special events such as the Easter Drama and Youth in Action, while Sunday Worship was held at the New Life location.
Superintendent Anderson’s mother, Missionary Jennie Anderson, wrote “This Is Your Life” as a tribute to him, telling of his birth on June 23, 1953, when he was thought stillborn, and of how the Lord answered her cry. It was that trust in God that caused Elder Anderson to again seek his Maker for a name for the new church. After much prayer and supplication, the Lord revealed Hosea 6:1–3.
Supt. Anderson announced the new name of the church: Revival Center.
At Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee, the Lord called Supt. Larry Anderson home from labor to reward.
Bishop O.L. Meadows ordained and installed Elder Walter Johnson, the Lord’s “ram in the bush,” as pastor of Revival Center COGIC.
Revival Center clergy and church leaders in the sanctuary
2002 – 2020
“Where Every Sunday is a Revival!”
Under the leadership of Elder Walter Johnson, the church continued to move forward. Services were spiritually uplifting and souls were added to the ministry. He began using the slogan, At Revival Center, “Where Every Sunday is a Revival!” Pastor Johnson had a vision to enlarge our outreach, and he prayed and labored to keep the people encouraged that the vision would come to pass sooner than you think.
Watch night message: “The Blessings of the Lord are mine in 2009.”
The vision came to pass. The church at 101 Lanett Street was purchased from Bank Independent.
First services held at Lanett Street with singing, shouting, and praising God.
The Lord called Pastor Walter Johnson home. The family and members remained steadfast to carry out the vision.
Revival Center Church of God in Christ, 101 Lanett Street, Florence, Alabama
2021 – Today
One Church in Two Locations
Under the leadership of Dr. Derek Parker, Revival Center has grown into one church in two locations, with leaders appointed to carry the vision forward in Florence and Sheffield.
Bishop O.L. Meadows appointed Dr. Derek Parker as Pastor of Revival Center COGIC.
Pastor Parker appointed Mother Margene Thompson as Church Mother, where she served faithfully until her passing.
The Lord led Pastor Parker to a second campus in Sheffield, Alabama. Minister Myron Thompson was appointed Campus Leader.
Bishop O.L. Meadows ordained Elder Myron Thompson at the Jurisdictional Convocation.
Pastor Parker appointed Elder Thompson as Assistant Pastor of Revival Center COGIC.
Evangelist Mable Pearsall appointed Church Mother, and Ann Davis appointed Usher President.
