EVANGEL TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD
Michigan Church
Celebrates 86th
Anniversary
by James E. Cossey
I
N 1921, M.P. Cross boarded a north- successful minister, ultimately serving as history was narrated by Pastor Walden,
bound train on his way to establish general overseer of the Church of God. and several older members, as well as
the Church of God in Detroit, Michi- The Detroit church met at the corner descendants of some of the earliest families,
gan. Problem was, he only had fare to of 16th and Stanley Streets for many shared stories of the impact this church has
take him to Cincinnati, Ohio. He boarded years. It later became known as the West had upon their lives and their families. Spe-
the train in simple faith that God would Side Church of God after another congre- cial music from the “Tabernacle days” was
provide. Somewhere between Chatta- gation was organized on Beniteau Street performed by a volunteer choir.
nooga and Cincinnati, a stranger walked and was named East Side. In 1950, the Pastor Walden believes that the legacy
into the passenger car where Brother two congregations merged and, under of this local church is demonstrated not
Cross was riding, and asked him if he was copastors James A. Stephens and Carl Mil- only by the current ministries but also by
M.P. Cross. Assuring the stranger that he ligan, formed the Detroit Tabernacle, scores of ministers, music ministers,
was, Cross was handed an envelope and which became, at that time, one of the youth leaders, church plants, and more.
then the stranger vanished through the leading congregations of the Church of He emphasizes that the real reason for
door into the next car. Opening the enve- God. In 1974, led by Pastor W. Paul this celebration of the past is the realiza-
lope, the young evangelist found money. Stallings, the Detroit Tabernacle relocated tion that with God’s blessings, the future
Desiring to thank the man, he arose and to the Detroit suburb of Warren and was is always bright!
traveled throughout all the passenger cars renamed Evangel Temple.
searching for the stranger, who was On November 17-18, 2007, Pastor Editor’s note: James E. Cossey, editor in
nowhere to be found. Upon arrival in Darius Walden and the congregation of chief of Church of God Publications, who
Cincinnati, proceeding to the railroad Evangel Temple Church of God—the wrote this article, also served as pastor of
ticket counter, M.P. Cross discovered that descendant congregation of that first Evangel Temple from 1987 to 1990. Evangel
the envelope contained exactly the funds Detroit church—celebrated their 86th Temple invited him to be a part of the
necessary to purchase a ticket to Detroit. anniversary with a Saturday festive lun- church’s celebration by being their guest
A visit by an angel? Only God knows. cheon and a program titled Remembering singer for the Saturday service and guest
One of M.P. Cross’s first Detroit con- the Tabernacle. Members of the congrega- speaker for the Sunday service. Dr. Cossey
verts was a young grocery-store clerk tion, both past and present, gathered to would also like our readers to know that the
named Houston R. Morehead, who became sing, worship, and recall the blessings of opening story of this article was told to him
a close associate to Pastor Cross, and then a God. A video presentation of the church’s by the late Louis Cross, M.P. Cross’s son.
22 EVANGEL • MAR 2008
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