In the fall of 1918,

In the fall of 1918, our forefathers and foremothers brought to this area a religion dedicated to the purpose of living a holy life and winning souls to God. Their first meeting place was a tent located at the corner of Calhoun Avenue and North Avenue behind Harper's store. Services began in the fall of 1918 without the benefit of electric lights and padded pews. Instead, they worshipped by the dim light of lanterns and oil lamps. The determination of these people helped them to continue despite skepticism, criticism and even persecution.

After a short time, the meeting place of this congregation was changed to the home of James Hall on Burnett Street. It was during this period that this group of people were invited to become officially organized by the Church of God with general headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee. This occurred in March, 1919, making North Rome Church of God the first Pentecostal Church to be organized in the city of Rome.

The congregation was in need of a larger place to worship, so they rented a small frame church building, located on Callahan Street, for a while. Then on December 13, 1920, they purchased the building and the deed was recorded in the name of the Church of God. Even though the congregation now had a permanent place to worship, there were other obstacles to overcome. Money had to be solicited for the installation of electric lights. One lady carried coal from her home to the church at night, not wanting her neighbors to know that the church was too poor to heat its own building. At times, there was not even a full-time pastor at the church. However, God continued to add to the church as the people continued their efforts.

Later, in the early 1930s, the small frame structure was razed and a new and larger building was erected. During that same decade, the newer building was extensively remodeled and bricked in order to conform with a newly constructed two-story educational building.

Rev. Paul T. Stover, serving as pastor almost twelve years in two pastorates, led the congregation in the construction of the present sanctuary and educational facilities at 1929 North Broad Street. The first service was held in this new

building on the last Sunday in March of 1961. Monthly payments on the new structure seemed astronomical, but under the leadership of Brother Stover and other pastors such as Rev. J. Frank Culpepper and Rev. S. A. Luke, God continued to bless the church financially until monthly mortgage payments were no longer a problem. On Sunday, March 29, 1981, special services were held in which the mortgage was burned, signifying that North Rome Church of God was free of debt.

The present building we attend worship in, constructed under Pastor W.A. Bingham, was officially dedicated in 1990. With pastors such as Brother Bingham, Jerry Chitwood, D. Keith Gunter and our present senior pastor Harold L. Jones, we have had great men of God lead our church, and God is moving at North Rome Church of God. We are now in the process of pursuing new facilities on the bypass near Rome High School. We plan to begin building in the near future.

The Ladies Willing Worker Band, later known as the Ladies Auxiliary and now the Women's Ministries Circles, played a significant role in the progress of our church. Led by fine Christian ladies such as Leona Moore, Rita Roper and Mildred Horsley, many projects and fund-raising endeavors were extremely successful.

Evangelism has always been an important part of the North Rome Church of God. Through the many years, successful revivals were held, adding large numbers of members to the church. Tent meetings and street services were also successful evangelical efforts.

The North Rome church has been honored to have had a succession of distinguished men to serve as pastor. Some have left to become state or national officials in the Church of God. Others had held similar positions before coming to North Rome as pastor. Each one contributed their time, prayers and efforts to make the church what it is today.

North Rome Church of God has a rich heritage in Pentecostal worship and holiness principles which will be treasured until Jesus comes.