| Living Stone Ministries 587 S. Arlington Rd Akron, Ohio 44306 (330)-773-7981 Bishop Ralph Byrd Jr., Pastor |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| I Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood…. |
The Living Stone Apostolic Church History
In a humble dwelling, designed not for worship but for family life, the grace of God over-shadowed a
small group of faithful believers and without a great proclamation The Living Stone Apostolic Church was
born around the middle of June 1936. Through the number may have been small and the place of worship
not more that the living room in a home, the power of God swept through this place under the direction
and guidance of Bishop Henry Burke. Souls and more souls were won to God and after moving to larger
quarters in early 1946, the Furnace Street building was dedicated to the glory of God and hundreds of
saints were baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost, still under the leadership of
Bishop Henry Burke.
After the passing of his companion, Bishop Burke was married to Evangelist Evelyn Beard, and during the
days of their labor in Christ's vineyard and Bishop Burke's Radio ministry in the 40's hundreds of souls
were added to the body of Christ.
After a short illness, Bishop Burke passed on from labor to his reward and in 1947 Elder James Bryant
became pastor of The Living Stone Apostolic Church. Being a dedicated man of faith and prayer, the
church continued to win souls to Christ.
During the year 1968, The Living Stone Apostolic Church was left without a pastor. Some of the saints
found refuge in other assemblies, but the faithful held on to the horns of the alter, and on July 28th 1968
Elder James L. Gregory was called to pastor The Living Stone Apostolic Church.
The year 1969 was to mark unusual moves for the The Living Stone Apostolic Church. After having been
at the Furnace Street address from 1946 to 1968, the building was sold and the congregation rented a
dilapidated Lawson's building at 688 S. Arlington St. It seemed such a shame to make what seemed to be
steps backwards. One thing we may not overlook, however, God was truly in that place. The
congregation grew from 38 to 96, and the Lord was on the move!
In a humble dwelling, designed not for worship but for family life, the grace of God over-shadowed a
small group of faithful believers and without a great proclamation The Living Stone Apostolic Church was
born around the middle of June 1936. Through the number may have been small and the place of worship
not more that the living room in a home, the power of God swept through this place under the direction
and guidance of Bishop Henry Burke. Souls and more souls were won to God and after moving to larger
quarters in early 1946, the Furnace Street building was dedicated to the glory of God and hundreds of
saints were baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost, still under the leadership of
Bishop Henry Burke.
After the passing of his companion, Bishop Burke was married to Evangelist Evelyn Beard, and during the
days of their labor in Christ's vineyard and Bishop Burke's Radio ministry in the 40's hundreds of souls
were added to the body of Christ.
After a short illness, Bishop Burke passed on from labor to his reward and in 1947 Elder James Bryant
became pastor of The Living Stone Apostolic Church. Being a dedicated man of faith and prayer, the
church continued to win souls to Christ.
During the year 1968, The Living Stone Apostolic Church was left without a pastor. Some of the saints
found refuge in other assemblies, but the faithful held on to the horns of the alter, and on July 28th 1968
Elder James L. Gregory was called to pastor The Living Stone Apostolic Church.
The year 1969 was to mark unusual moves for the The Living Stone Apostolic Church. After having been
at the Furnace Street address from 1946 to 1968, the building was sold and the congregation rented a
dilapidated Lawson's building at 688 S. Arlington St. It seemed such a shame to make what seemed to be
steps backwards. One thing we may not overlook, however, God was truly in that place. The
congregation grew from 38 to 96, and the Lord was on the move!
With the money from the Furnace Street Temple, land was
purchased at 587 S Arlington St and planes were made in 1970
to build a new sanctuary. It seemed as if it would never happen
but thanks be to God, on April 28th 1974 The Living Stone
Apostolic Church dedicated its first all new sanctuary and in the
coming year 300 were baptized in Jesus Name and numerous
souls were filled with the Holy Ghost.
As in Israel, in the Land that Flows with Milk and Honey, the
battles have been found, the Philistines have set their forces in
array but Jesus said, "on this rock I will build my church and
the gates of hell Shall Not prevail against it." As a result,
through many wars God has brought us safe thus far and we
have continued to grow. Since 1974, over 700 have been
baptized in Jesus name.
purchased at 587 S Arlington St and planes were made in 1970
to build a new sanctuary. It seemed as if it would never happen
but thanks be to God, on April 28th 1974 The Living Stone
Apostolic Church dedicated its first all new sanctuary and in the
coming year 300 were baptized in Jesus Name and numerous
souls were filled with the Holy Ghost.
As in Israel, in the Land that Flows with Milk and Honey, the
battles have been found, the Philistines have set their forces in
array but Jesus said, "on this rock I will build my church and
the gates of hell Shall Not prevail against it." As a result,
through many wars God has brought us safe thus far and we
have continued to grow. Since 1974, over 700 have been
baptized in Jesus name.
In September 1979 it was decided to build a sanctuary to seat nearly 700, and with the help of
God, the City of Akron granted Living Stone a mortgage that was 3% below prime in
November 1980. That month "The Golden Shovel" sank its teeth into the earth, grinding and
twisting its way deeper and deeper into the ground and now from the first shovel of dirt turned
by the instrument of perseverance has sprung forth a grand and glorious edifice. On December
13th 1981the new sanctuary was dedicated to the glory of God.
God, the City of Akron granted Living Stone a mortgage that was 3% below prime in
November 1980. That month "The Golden Shovel" sank its teeth into the earth, grinding and
twisting its way deeper and deeper into the ground and now from the first shovel of dirt turned
by the instrument of perseverance has sprung forth a grand and glorious edifice. On December
13th 1981the new sanctuary was dedicated to the glory of God.
What we Believe
We Believe...
The one baptism, as recorded in Acts 2:4, is evidence by the speaking of
other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
We Believe...
The New Birth ("Being Born Again") includes genuine repentance, water
baptism in Jesus'
We Believe...
That Jesus was both human and divine, and further, that Jesus was God
manifest in the Flesh. There is one GOD, Creator of all, whose name is
JESUS!
The one baptism, as recorded in Acts 2:4, is evidence by the speaking of
other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
We Believe...
The New Birth ("Being Born Again") includes genuine repentance, water
baptism in Jesus'
We Believe...
That Jesus was both human and divine, and further, that Jesus was God
manifest in the Flesh. There is one GOD, Creator of all, whose name is
JESUS!
