On the last day of spring in 1961, David and Cynthia White arrived in Chicago, Illinois, from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. As active members of the Apostolic Faith Church in St. Thomas, they came to Chicago with one goal: to remain true and faithful to God, and to work for Him.

Within a short time, their hearts became burdened for the many children in their neighborhood who did not attend any church or Sunday school. A young mother with four children offered her home as a meeting place, so the Whites began a little Sunday school. Every Sunday as the children gathered, David and Cynthia taught them Bible stories and told them of Jesus and His love for them. The children were eager to hear the stories and learn the Sunday school songs, and soon they were inviting their friends to come along. Attendance grew, and some of the children prayed through to salvation.

In 1963, the Whites moved to a larger apartment in the same area and were able to continue the meetings in their own home. They made contact with the Portland headquarters, and they received papers and Sunday school materials to assist them in their work.

In 1973, the Whites were visited by Rev. Jim Williams, who was pastoring the Apostolic Faith Church in St. Louis, Missouri, at that time. The following year, in August of 1974, the Whites, along with three saved teenage girls from their group, were able to attend the Midwest camp meeting in Murphysboro, Illinois. While there, they met another Christian woman from Chicago, who began worshiping with them following the close of the camp meeting.

From that point on, the Lord began to add to their number, and others prayed through to salvation and deeper experiences. Then David's health began to fail, and in 1988 he went Home to be with the Lord. The loss was great, and the question arose: what should be done about the group who were meeting together? The people prayed, watched, and waited for the Lord's direction, and in time He made it clear that the work in Chicago should continue. Reverend Loyce Carver, General Overseer of the Apostolic Faith work at that time, indicated that Cynthia White should pastor the little flock in Chicago.

The work continued to grow and members were added to the congregation until in time, the group outgrew the living room of the White's home. It became clear that a church building was needed. After much prayer, fasting, hard work, and sacrifice, they began the search for a suitable location. Many of the Apostolic Faith churches throughout the U.S. prayed with the Chicago congregation that God would help them find the proper building.

In God's own time, and in quite a marvelous manner, the committee found a church that seemed to fit their needs. An inspection revealed that, though it needed some work, the structure was sound and the price was right. On September 17, 1999, the building was purchased, and on October 27 a team of workers from the Midwest Apostolic Faith churches volunteered their time and talents to get the church ready for the work of God.

Much progress was made in one week of intensive work, and miraculously, the group in Chicago were able to hold their first service in the new building on the following Sunday. Support for the project came from saints all over the nation. One West Coast branch church “adopted” the Chicago church as a special project. After a few more “work weeks” and weekends, the refurbishing of the fellowship hall and adjoining rooms were completed, and plans for a dedication service were made.

On April 29, 2001, the Apostolic Faith Church of Chicago, Illinois, was officially dedicated. Present at the dedicatory service were local visitors and guests from as far away as New York, the Portland headquarters, and Houston, Texas, as well as many visitors from the Midwest churches. Reverend Darrel Lee, Superintendent of the Apostolic Faith work, was present at the dedication service and gave the sermon.

The work in Chicago continues to grow. A delegation attended the Midwest camp meeting in 2001, and God worked in their midst.

Pray for the saints in Chicago!

Information about the schedule of services for the church in Chicago is available here.