Historic Philadelphia

CHURCH OF
THE LORD
JESUS CHRIST
OF THE
APOSTOLIC
FAITH
✧
Above: Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of
the Apostolic Faith.
Right: Bishop Omega Shelton.
HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA
158
The founding pioneer of the Church of the
Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith
organization, Bishop Sherrod C. Johnson, was
ordained to a ministerial level in 1921, under
the leadership of Bishop Robert Lawson.
In 1933, Bishop Johnson left Bishop
Lawson’s organization, differing in opinions
on the issues of observance to Christmas and
Easter, as well as modest apparel for women.
He then formed the existing organization,
headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Membership grew from less than fifty to more
than 2,000 in the twenty-eight years, under
his leadership.
A devastating fire at the church headquarters
in 1958 destroyed the church building.
Bishop Johnson led members in erecting an
ultra-modern facility without any government
or other exterior funding. This construction
was completed in less than one year, despite a
lengthy steel strike in the area and active
opposition from local union leaders, trying to
control the ebb and flow for union workers at
a new construction site. The result of this
labor of love presently stands at 701 South
22nd Street, subsequently named by the City
of Philadelphia, “Apostolic Square,” which
includes an adjoining thirty-two-unit apartment
complex for senior citizens. The headquarters
church, seating 5,000, is the second
largest church auditorium in Philadelphia.
Following Bishop Johnson’s death in 1961,
Bishop Samuel McDowell Shelton assumed
leadership as the general overseer. Among the
many highlights of Bishop Shelton’s administration
were his worldwide pilgrimages to
spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was
granted an audience with many heads of state.
These included His Majesty, King Hussien of
Jordan; His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor
Haille Selassie of Ethiopia; His Eminence,
Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in Rome; His
Majesty, King Gustaf VI Adlof of Sweden; and
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India.
Leaving behind an indelible legacy upon his
death in 1991, after thirty years of leadership,
Bishop Shelton was succeeded by his youngest
son, and current general overseer of the
Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, Bishop
Omega Shelton. While working to enhance the
spiritual development of his congregation,
Bishop Omega also began spreading the gospel
internationally. He was the first clergyman to
present a humanitarian award to Dr. Nelson
Mandela of South Africa for his heroic struggles
against injustices and persecution. He has also
been granted audiences with Prime Minister
Yitzhak Rabin of Israel, King Hussein of
Jordan, and Pope John Paul II.
In addition, Bishop Omega received the
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his
outstanding accomplishments, and was the
keynote speaker for the 1995 graduation at the
American College of Switzerland. He continues
to spread God’s gospel throughout the world,
and to live a life that counts for Christ.