Greater Upperroom Apostolic Faith Church is built on love and truth!
In the mid sixties the then, Elder Leon E. Williams and the late Evangelist Claudine Williams were called to start a ministry in Middletown, New York, the hometown of Evangelist Williams. They founded the Upperroom Apostolic Faith Church. The scripture tells us “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” God has a perfect plan for his servants, nothing happens by chance, everything has a purpose. We can see this in the lives of these two people.
Evangelist Williams knew, even as a young girl that there was a great need for the Gospel to be brought to the city of Middletown, and because of this burden it wasn’t hard to follow the Lord’s direction and start a church in Middletown.
The first church service was held in an old railroad station, known as the O&W Building, in April 1966. The congregation was made up of the Williams family, father, mother & children. Because they were following the leading of the Lord, God began to bless. People began to attend the services as God poured out his spirit in a mighty way.
A new thing was happening in Middletown; souls were being baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost!! Because the church was on the second floor and because of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, it was named the Upperrroom Apostolic Faith Church.
After staying in the O&W Building for one year, we were forced to move because of the fire code. We worshipped briefly at 13 Center Street, and then in the home of the late Sis. Martha Studer, who was the first person to be baptized at the church. One month later we were able to rent a store front on Cottage Street, where we stayed for eight years. Several improvements took place at this time. Our Pastor and Evangelist Williams moved from Monticello to Middletown and we finally had our first baptismal pool, which was a watering tank! We were truly blessed. Until this time, the candidates for baptism were taken to King’s Chapel in Monticello.
After worshipping at Cottage Street for eight years, we again we were forced to move, this time it was because we were to NOISY! One thing we have learned, man can’t stop God’s program, when one door is closed…another one is opened.
Our Pastor was led to purchase an old hardware store on Main Street. The down payment was $3,000 and a ten year mortgage which was paid off in seven years. What once had been a dilapidated building was turned into a beautiful sanctuary and apartment. Bishop Williams was a “jack of all trades.” Even in this God blessed him to be able to do the remodeling, with very little help from anyone. East Main Street has a special place in the memories of the saints. There was togetherness and it seemed that “the people had a mind to work.”
This was proven in the effort that was put forth to purchase the sanctuary at 1 Linden Avenue. We stayed at 27 East Main Street for seven years, and then needing a bigger place, we moved again.
Our first service in the new sanctuary, (1 Linden Ave) was held on New Year’s Eve, 1982, at that time we changed the name of our church to the GREATER Upperroom Apostolic Faith Church. The Lord continued to bless, souls were saved, and lives were changed. The church mortgage was burned in 1991 as part of our 25th anniversary celebration.
In 1995 the roof was replaced along with a complete restoration of the sanctuary. This work was paid in full upon completion. While the sanctuary was being restored, services were held in the basement. We moved back upstairs, Christmas Eve Day and although it wasn’t planned, it was the perfect time!
In 1995 Bishop Williams took over the pastoral responsibilities of the King’s Chapel Church in Monticello, due to the passing of District Elder Jesse Wrenn. It was at this time that we adopted the idea of one church in 2 locations and together with our sister church we continue to spread the gospel through out the mid-hudson region and beyond.
Under the preaching and teaching of the gospel by our Bishop and Evangelist Williams, men were called to the ministry, and new churches were started. God still isn’t finished blessing. The 2 youngest sons that were once babies are now men and have also been called into the ministry. They both serve with their father as the assistant pastors of the churches Elder John Williams at Greater Upperroom and Elder Michael Williams at Kings Chapel.
In December of 2003 the Lord called home our beloved Evangelist Williams and even though she is greatly missed we stand on the foundation that she laid for us and continue to do the work of the Lord.
As we celebrate and we reflect we know the “half has not been told.” We will never know all the sacrifices, all the prayers, all the tears that have gone into this work. Only God knows, and He is the one that will say, “Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant.”
Bishop Williams and even Evangelist Williams could say to the work today “Down through the years, God has been good to us.” They can stand on his work and on his promises. Isaiah says,” No weapon that is formed against them shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from them, saith the Lord”!