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Faith Temple Church of the Living God
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Our History
From humble beginnings to today, Faith Temple Church has always had great faith in God. It all started back in 1955 when Bishop Sidney Buxto, Sr. heeded the voice of the Lord to began pastoring. From his home in Nyack, NY, a Prayer Band was started from whichThe Church of the Living God, Inc. was formed and organized. The first annual service was held at a store front located at 82 S. Franklin St. in Nyack, NY with seven charter members (Sis. Frankie Sanders (now Assistant Pastor Emeritus), Sister Mildred Alleyne - Foster (now the National Mother of COCWIH), Brother George Harris, Brother Robert Sanders, Mother Lottie Buxton, Sister Carrie DeLoatch, and Brother Robert Williams. Always full of wisdom, Bishop Buxton felt the need to have a leader to be accountable to, so in 1957 the Church of the Living God, Inc. merged with the Churches of Christ Written in Heaven under the leadership of the late Bishop J.C. Blakely.
In 1960, God laid it upon Bishop Buxton’s heart to build a church. Although he may not have had all of the finances, Bishop Buxton had great faith and trust in God and began looking for property. He came across a piece of land in central Nyack. The owner of the property rolled out the red carpet and tried to make the purchase as simple as possible for Bishop. However God intervened and sent Bishop to a lawyer who advised him not purchase the land, because the land that he was interested in had a canal that ran right through the lot. What a mighty God we serve!! One Sunday afternoon while visiting his sister and brother-in-law (Mother Mildred Foster and the late Nelson Foster Sr.) at 16 N. Bethune Blvd, Bishop Buxton noticed a vacant lot full of trees next door. He took a walk and scoped out the land, by the time he came back to the house, his brother-in-law told him that the owner of the property was looking to sell. Bishop contacted the owner, and put a $1,200 down payment on the property. After three months of not hearing from the owner, she finally called and asked Bishop if he was still interested in the property. Of course he said yes and obtained a mortgage. The building fund began shortly thereafter.
In 1968 the church moved from the storefront in Nyack, NY to a one-car garage in Spring Valley on the property they had purchased. Also in that same year, Bishop began to build a church for the Lord. Bishop said the Lord actually gave him specific details about the building of the church. He told him to make it the width and length 57 ft by 57, and the Lord also showed Bishop how to design the church. Just like Noah when building the ark. God gave him the exact measurements. When they began to dig the foundation for the church, they discovered that there was a huge rock in ground that was too big to move. So they drilled a hole right through the center of the rock and poured the foundation. This church is literally and spiritually built on a rock!! In October of the same year they moved from the one car garage to the basement of the church. In 1972, while Bishop was on his way to work the Lord spoke to Bishop and told Bishop to " Go back to work on the church" this was another test that Bishop was faced with, but he overcame with the help of the Lord. He trusted in Jehovah Jireh The Lord our Provider. Because of his faithfulness and obedience the Main auditorium was dedicated on June 10, 1973. Bishop never forgot the song that Dr. Wilma Adams sang, “No No it wasn't easy but it had to be done”. The members have played a huge part in the success and completion of the church, we thank God for their faithfulness, and financial support. We have been worshiping in this beautiful sanctuary every since that day.
God blessed the church and the mortgage was paid off in 1986. There was a great Mortgage burning ceremony in regards to this great accomplishment. Within the next 15 years God opened up so many doors for the pastor and the church, the church has grown tremendously. Under the leadership of Bishop Sidney Buxton, Sr. discipleship and spiritual growth has increased. Starting with a dynamic, Board of Trustees, God-fearing Ministerial Team, the Women's Department, Deacon's Board, the Witnessing Team, Men's Brotherhood, the Marriage Ministry along with several other important auxiliaries. People often refer to the building in which we worship as the church. However, the church is made up of people. We are the church, we are all living stones being built together to form God's house, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. Just as our physical bodies are made up of many different parts, with many different functions, so is the body of Christ. The church is not complete without you; we need your prayers, support and presence. What a glorious calling to be part of the Temple where God lives.
Over the years, Bishop Buxton has held numerous positions in the Christ of Christ Written in Heaven at the local, state and national levels. He has received several awards, certificates and accolades. However he is still known for his great faith and wisdom. As his health began to fail and realizing that he could no longer fulfill the duties of a pastor (the way he was accustomed to), he turned to Pastoral duties over to his son, Bishop Ernest Buxton Sr. Today the church continues in the same legacy that has existed for over 50 years because “with God, all things are possible”.
From humble beginnings to today, Faith Temple Church has always had great faith in God. It all started back in 1955 when Bishop Sidney Buxto, Sr. heeded the voice of the Lord to began pastoring. From his home in Nyack, NY, a Prayer Band was started from whichThe Church of the Living God, Inc. was formed and organized. The first annual service was held at a store front located at 82 S. Franklin St. in Nyack, NY with seven charter members (Sis. Frankie Sanders (now Assistant Pastor Emeritus), Sister Mildred Alleyne - Foster (now the National Mother of COCWIH), Brother George Harris, Brother Robert Sanders, Mother Lottie Buxton, Sister Carrie DeLoatch, and Brother Robert Williams. Always full of wisdom, Bishop Buxton felt the need to have a leader to be accountable to, so in 1957 the Church of the Living God, Inc. merged with the Churches of Christ Written in Heaven under the leadership of the late Bishop J.C. Blakely.
In 1960, God laid it upon Bishop Buxton’s heart to build a church. Although he may not have had all of the finances, Bishop Buxton had great faith and trust in God and began looking for property. He came across a piece of land in central Nyack. The owner of the property rolled out the red carpet and tried to make the purchase as simple as possible for Bishop. However God intervened and sent Bishop to a lawyer who advised him not purchase the land, because the land that he was interested in had a canal that ran right through the lot. What a mighty God we serve!! One Sunday afternoon while visiting his sister and brother-in-law (Mother Mildred Foster and the late Nelson Foster Sr.) at 16 N. Bethune Blvd, Bishop Buxton noticed a vacant lot full of trees next door. He took a walk and scoped out the land, by the time he came back to the house, his brother-in-law told him that the owner of the property was looking to sell. Bishop contacted the owner, and put a $1,200 down payment on the property. After three months of not hearing from the owner, she finally called and asked Bishop if he was still interested in the property. Of course he said yes and obtained a mortgage. The building fund began shortly thereafter.
In 1968 the church moved from the storefront in Nyack, NY to a one-car garage in Spring Valley on the property they had purchased. Also in that same year, Bishop began to build a church for the Lord. Bishop said the Lord actually gave him specific details about the building of the church. He told him to make it the width and length 57 ft by 57, and the Lord also showed Bishop how to design the church. Just like Noah when building the ark. God gave him the exact measurements. When they began to dig the foundation for the church, they discovered that there was a huge rock in ground that was too big to move. So they drilled a hole right through the center of the rock and poured the foundation. This church is literally and spiritually built on a rock!! In October of the same year they moved from the one car garage to the basement of the church. In 1972, while Bishop was on his way to work the Lord spoke to Bishop and told Bishop to " Go back to work on the church" this was another test that Bishop was faced with, but he overcame with the help of the Lord. He trusted in Jehovah Jireh The Lord our Provider. Because of his faithfulness and obedience the Main auditorium was dedicated on June 10, 1973. Bishop never forgot the song that Dr. Wilma Adams sang, “No No it wasn't easy but it had to be done”. The members have played a huge part in the success and completion of the church, we thank God for their faithfulness, and financial support. We have been worshiping in this beautiful sanctuary every since that day.
God blessed the church and the mortgage was paid off in 1986. There was a great Mortgage burning ceremony in regards to this great accomplishment. Within the next 15 years God opened up so many doors for the pastor and the church, the church has grown tremendously. Under the leadership of Bishop Sidney Buxton, Sr. discipleship and spiritual growth has increased. Starting with a dynamic, Board of Trustees, God-fearing Ministerial Team, the Women's Department, Deacon's Board, the Witnessing Team, Men's Brotherhood, the Marriage Ministry along with several other important auxiliaries. People often refer to the building in which we worship as the church. However, the church is made up of people. We are the church, we are all living stones being built together to form God's house, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. Just as our physical bodies are made up of many different parts, with many different functions, so is the body of Christ. The church is not complete without you; we need your prayers, support and presence. What a glorious calling to be part of the Temple where God lives.
Over the years, Bishop Buxton has held numerous positions in the Christ of Christ Written in Heaven at the local, state and national levels. He has received several awards, certificates and accolades. However he is still known for his great faith and wisdom. As his health began to fail and realizing that he could no longer fulfill the duties of a pastor (the way he was accustomed to), he turned to Pastoral duties over to his son, Bishop Ernest Buxton Sr. Today the church continues in the same legacy that has existed for over 50 years because “with God, all things are possible”.
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