Greater Phillips
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In 1911 Bishop Charles Henry Phillips sent Rev. J.W. Reese to form a mission in the Los Angeles area, thus we have Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
During these past ninety-five (95) years Phillips Chapel have been led by many spirit filled ministers, such as Rev. J.W. Reese, Rev. Cutter, Rev. T.E. Belvin, Rev. Edwards, Rev. Willie F. Brown, Rev. Colbert, Rev. Calvin Nelson, Sr., Rev. U.L. Butts, Rev. Terry T. Tapley and now Rev. Thomas Benjamin, just to name a few.
Under the leadership of Rev. Willie F. Brown, in 1992 the congregation went in search of a new and larger home. The Lord stepped in; the property at 121 W. Indigo St. in Compton was placed on the market for sale with Mr. Terrell Baker of Century 21m. The property at 1560 E. 109th St. in Los Angeles was listed with the same Realtor. Mr. Baker introduced the pastors and again God stepped in; the ministers met and agreed.
The Phillips Chapel congregation was invited to come over for an afternoon fellowship and a walk through the building. The two congregations agreed to fellowship together until the sale was completed. Rev. Brown met with Bishop E. Lynn Brown and Presiding Elder Claude L. Johnson and asked permission to change the name of the church from Phillips Chapel to Greater Phillips Chapel, this help to ease the transition for the two congregations to become one.
The past few years have been a time of rebirth, renewing, rejoicing, refocus and rebuilding through the grace of God and the undying strength and faith of some of the members. We have made it through another year. Satan tried to break us down but we stood tall as the mighty oak trials came. Our branches blew in the wind; it's okay to bend, just don't break. We are continually striving to live up to the name of Greater Phillips Chapel. As Rev. Benjamin brings us the word of the Lord, we can say with power that PRAISE IS WHAT WE DO!
