History of the Church

THE ZION APOSTOLIC FAITH CHURCH had humble beginnings with just a small group of eighteen people led by a courageous and dedicated young man who felt the call of God to pastor His people. On Sunday, March 18, 1966, the church was organized in a rented building. Two weeks later, after meeting here and there, God gave them a building at 196 East South Street. The church was named Zion Apostolic Faith Church but was affectionately called “Little Zion” by the members because it was an extremely small storefront with tenants overhead. It wasn't much to look at outside, but the glory of the Lord filled the inside. They soon grew to love “Little Zion” as God began to bless in miraculous ways. During that time, God dealt with the minister, Elder Parker, directing him according to His divine plan and instructing him according to the needs of the people. Many recall the profound statements he uttered from time to time, “the greater the sacrifice, the greater the blessing”, “God will work with us or in spite of us” and “continue to be faithful”. His theme was “working together”. Elder Parker received a vision from the Lord to construct a cross and affix it to a Building Fund Drive Chart ranging from zero to $30,000. He said that within three years the church would be financially able to move with the $30,000. The cross was placed at the bottom of the chart on the zero and was to be raised with every $1,000 added to the building fund. No member wanted to see the cross on the ground so everyone worked hard to raise the cross to the very top. In three years’ time, they had gone over the top and raised better than $50,000. In addition, souls were baptized in Jesus’ Name and filled with the Holy Ghost; many were healed and others were brought from death’s door. Time and space prevent recalling all the marvelous things God wrought before the eyes of the people in that little storefront church.

  God had provided the money, now what about the building. Some felt that they were too old to build. They felt it would take another three years or more of labor and sacrifice in order to build and maybe God wouldn’t spare them that long. Little did they know that Elder Parker had already asked God in faith to spare the lives of the flock, not only for the three years in Little Zion, but as long as it would take to see the new church finished and paid for. God did just that. However, building was not in God’s plan for Zion. After a fruitless search for land, coupled with the fact that property and interest during those years was sky-high making loans almost impossible, another course was pursued. They began searching for churches already built. Months went by. The growing membership grew anxious to move from their crowded quarters. The pastor called the church to fast and pray.

  In the summer of 1969, God began to show His hand. One of the members received information concerning a church in North Akron that was for sale. She passed this information on to the Pastor and what followed climaxed into a modern-day miracle. The first offer made on the church was refused because the owners of the church constitutionally could not sell to a fundamentalist group; plus, our offer of $30,000 was to them ridiculous. Other buyers were given priority on the church but were stopped because of financial difficulties. Meanwhile, the building continued to stand empty, which was in Zion's favor. Months passed while the church prayed continuously.

In December of 1969, God moved in a mighty way. The official board of that organization, not willing that the church should stand empty any longer, decided to sell, and with a great deal of reluctance agreed to accept Zion’s offer of $30,000! Sunday, January 25, 1970, found us marching to Zion with a motorcade of approximately 40 cars. GOD HAD WORKED A MIRACLE. The church at 897 Columbia Avenue was a beautiful church appraised at $250,000 and God had given it to us for $30,000. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

  After fifteen years on Columbia Avenue, God worked another miracle. A small group of people who were looking for a church had set their sights on Zion. They came in and offered us five times more than we paid for it. It was an offer we couldn’t refuse. Finding another church was going to be the hard part. But little did we know, that God had it all worked out. He had already opened this church for us. The transaction was smooth and timely.

  March 2001, marked the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Zion Apostolic Faith Church. We are grateful that we have had the same Pastor over the years, a man dedicated and committed to God and His people. Pastor Parker’s vision for the church is to enlarge its borders. “It’s time to harvest”, he says. The property around the church has already been purchased. Plans are underway to build a multipurpose building to house various church ministries and agencies for the benefit of the church membership and the community. WE HAVE COME THIS FAR BY FAITH. HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED US!