Refuge Church of Christ

A whirlwind of faith swept through Harlem in 1919. It brought forth the Refuge Church of Christ. This church, now known as the Greater Refuge Temple, stands as a testament to a powerful vision. The story of Refuge Church of Christ begins with Bishop R.C. Lawson. He started the church on East 131st Street. The church quickly outgrew this space. Within eight months, a new home was found on 133rd Street. The Refuge Church of Christ played a key role in the birth of a larger organization. It helped establish the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. Growth continued, necessitating another move. In 1945, the church settled at its current location on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, formerly 7th Avenue. This move marked a significant milestone. It led to the church being renamed Refuge Temple. The present building, however, didn’t take its current form until much later. In 1961, after Bishop Lawson’s passing, Bishop William L. Bonner took the helm. He initiated a major renovation project. This culminated in the modern edifice we see today. The church was renamed Greater Refuge Temple in 1966. It boasts a seating capacity of two thousand. It also houses thirty-six conference and meeting rooms. The Greater Refuge Temple’s story is one of constant evolution. It transformed from a small gathering to a prominent landmark in Harlem. It continues to serve its community under the leadership of Bishop Charles E. Wright, Sr. He became pastor in 2016.