Our history

A History of the Connecticut District Council (CDC)

THE GOSPEL AND MORE

      This is an abridged and revised history of the first 50 years of our Council, covering the period from 1935 to 1985. This account was first published in the 1983 CDC Minute Book. It does not contain all the ministers, churches, or events during this period. Bishop George H. Brooks was the diocesan when this historical account was written initially.

      "The Connecticut District Council (C.D.C.), known as the 20th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc., (P.A.W.) is located in the beautiful rolling hills and picturesque valleys of the New England States. It encompasses Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the city of Springfield, Massachusetts.”

      The Connecticut District Council was established in May 1935 when a group of saints from three churches met in New Haven, Connecticut. The Council was organized under the leadership of the late Bishop Samuel Grimes, the presiding Bishop of the P.A.W. His diocese was the eastern seaboard of the United States. The Council was organized, and its first officers were Elder W. Seaton, Chairman; Brother James Long, Vice Chairman; Sister E. Johnson, Secretary; Sister J. Washington, Assistant Secretary; Elder J. Green, Treasurer (May to December 1935); and Sister E. Meyers, Treasurer, 1936.

      Also in 1936, Elder Lambert Tolbert became pastor of Beulah Heights Church in New Haven and was elected Chairman and sis. D. Thorn was the Assistant Secretary. In November 1936, Elder George Brooks, pastor of Star Bethlehem in Ansonia (later Bishop), was elected Chairman. Two more churches in Bridgeport were added in 1936. In 1937, Pentecostal Assembly in Waterbury, Pastor Jackson, was added. 1939, Elder Brooks was elected Chairman, Elder Tolbert was elected Vice Chairman, and Deacon Charles Simmons, became the Treasurer, Light House Church was opened in Bridgeport with Elder Green as pastor.

      In May of 1940, Sister Meyers was appointed Secretary of the Council. By 1945, the Council had grown to include six churches. In March of 1948, the C.D.C. hosted the P.A.W. Bishop Board's Mid-Winter meeting for the first time. Elder George Brooks was promoted to District Elder, and the Council welcomed its first state evangelists, Sis Tolbert, and Sister Hoffler (Pastor Parris). The C.D.C. has always been an ardent supporter of the P.A.W., supporting Dr. Ellen Moore Hopkins, Aenon Bible School, and the Christian Outlook, among others.

      In the second half of 1949, Elder Reed took over as the pastor of Christ Temple, while Mother, Evangelist Martha Sapp became the pastor of Bethesda Church in New Britain. In February of the following year, Elder Clarence Allen brought his church into the Council, bringing the total number of churches to seven. Elder J. Shaw was appointed as the assistant pastor in New Britain.

      Between 1945 and 1951, there were attempts to hold day sessions for our Council and a Pastors' Meeting. In 1950, Elder G. Brooks became the pastor of Beulah Heights, and Elder Robert Jones was appointed assistant pastor in Ansonia. That same year, Pastor E. Hoffler (Parris) established a church in Meriden, CT. By 1951, the Council had eight churches, and in February 1952, Deacon Ozell Gooding was appointed as the Council's first sergeant-at-arms. Also, Elder Eugene Redd was named Star Bethlehem's assistant pastor in Ansonia. In May 1953, Elder John Shaw was elected as the Vice-Chairman.    In 1958, Elder Jenkins became the pastor of a church located in Bridgeport. District Elder G. Brooks was elevated to the position of Bishop, and Elder John Shaw was elevated to the position of District Elder around the same time. In 1959, another church was established in Bristol. Additionally, Pastor Ruth Williams and her church left the Christ Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) organization and joined the C.D.C.

      In November 1960, the Western Massachusetts and Rhode Island Council became a part of the Connecticut State Council. In 1961, a Baptist pastor, Elder Frank Foster, brought his church into the P.A.W. He and the members of his church were baptized in Jesus' name and received the Holy Ghost. The Council was incorporated in November 1962. In May 1963, Elder Marion Shaw became the 2nd Vice Chairman of the Council, and Evangelist A. Tilman became the assistant secretary. Elder Andrew Clancy was appointed Sergeant-at-arms in May 1964.

      Also in 1964, Pastor Mary Gray started a church in South Norwalk, and the following three churches were added: Elder Hardy in Stamford, Pentecostal Holy Name Church led by Pastor Dorothy Stanley, and Faith Tabernacle led by Pastor Snowden. Another church, led by Elder White, opened in Springfield in 1965, and Zion Gateway, a church led by Elder Morris, was also added in 1965. Elder Marion Shaw was made District Elder in May 1966. In 1967, Elder Clancy opened a church in Hartford, and the first Ministers' Meeting was held in October 1967.

      In May of 1969, Sister Zimmerman became the financial secretary, and Sister Kline became the assistant secretary. Following the death of Elder Reed, Elder Marion Shaw was made pastor of New Hope Pentecostal Church in Springfield. That same year, Elder Marion Fennell opened Bethel Apostolic Church in Middletown. In May of 1970, Deacon Willie Thomas became the Sergeant-at-arms.

      Three new churches were established: N.C.W. London with Pastor Hedges, in Stamford with Pastor Fields, and in Danbury with Elder Daniels. In May 1971, Elder Redd was appointed as Chairman, succeeding Bishop Brooks, who had served as Chairman for 31 years. Elder M. Shaw was appointed the first vice-chairman, and Pastor L. Jackson was appointed the second vice-chairman. A new church opened in New Haven in February 1972 with Elder W. J. Oliver as pastor, and Elder John Loyd, Sr., and his church Fellowship Temple, Bridgeport, came to our Council in May 1972. 1978 Elder Andrew Clancy was elevated to District Elder and placed over the Rhode Island district. He also opened a church in Providence. Another church opened in Torrington, Faith Tabernacle, with Elder Greene as pastor.

      As of March 2024, the CDC consists of twenty-five fully active churches and one online ministry, 89 years after the council was first formed. The honorable Bishop Bruce K. Shaw serves as the Diocesan, while District Elder Lonnie L. Coggins is the Chairman. District Elders Charles Smith and Alphonso Coble hold the positions of First and Second Vice Chairmen, respectively.

“For Life and Life More Abundantly.”