HISTORY OF ST. JOHN UNITED HOLY CHURCH

Sis. Gussie Mae Walker founded the St. John United Holy Church in September 1925. One night as she lay sleeping, she heard a voice say, "Go to New Castle." She thought she was dreaming and went back to sleep. Again, she heard this voice say, "Go to New Castle." This time she awakened her husband and asked, "Sanders, did you say something?" He assured her that he had not. A third time she heard, the voice with the same message, "Go to New Castle." Remembering the story of Samuel, she realized that it was the voice of God. She awakened her husband again and told him what she had experienced. They knelt beside their bed and prayed. As they prayed, she said to the Lord as Isaiah had said to the Lord, "Lord, here am I, send me."

On Saturday, a short time later, she boarded a train to New Castle. A lady by the name of Miss Louise Farrow sat beside her. They introduced themselves to each other and discovered they were both on their way to New Castle, Pennsylvania. Sister Walker said that she had heard of New Castle, but knew nothing about it. Miss Farrow told her that she was going to visit her mother and invited her to accompany her. Sister Walker gladly accepted the invitation. While in their home, Sis. Walker was asked to spend the night with the family and to attend their Church the next morning. In conversation, she learned that they were members of Bethel AME Church. She was recognized as a visitor in the service and was asked to have something to say. Her words were so touching that they stirred the hearts of many.

The next day, as Sis. Walker was sitting on Mrs. Farrow's porch, Brother John Gunn and Brother Isaiah Wright approached her. They told her they were members of the Friday Night Prayer Band and they invited her to attend and to bring the message the following Friday. Sis. Walker gladly accepted the invitation. She returned to her home in Pittsburgh but a short time later she was asked again to speak at the Prayer Band that met every Friday at different homes. It is recorded that, she remained here and ministered at the Friday Night services for about six weeks and returned home. Sis. Walker said that she received a telephone call and was informed that the Prayer Band had rented a hall on South Mill Street that was located over the Charles Miller Funeral Home. She was told that they wanted her to come and be their pastor. She declined the pastoralship at that time, but she would still come to their services. She traveled back and forth from Pittsburgh to New Castle, accompanied many times by her husband, Brother Sanders Walker. Finally, she accepted the pastoralship and moved to New Castle.

The Church was organized and named St. John. St. John later became a part of the United Holy Church of America. Brothers John Gunn, Arthur Hill, Isaiah Wright, Theodore Wright, Brother Edwards and Brother Ramson were the first deacons.

St. John moved from Mill Street to 937 Moravia Street and from there to the corner of Lutton Street and Moravia Street.  They purchased the present location of 1207 Moravia St., in 1947.  The house that was on the property was renovated into a Church.  Later the basement for the present Church was constructed.  The congregation worshiped there for a while and then they constructed the auditorium.

 Sister Walker's health began to deteriorate as she advanced in age. In 1970, God spoke to her and told her that Rev. Abram Woody Pippens was to be her assistant.  She went to the Convocation of the Northwestern District of the United Holy Church of America and requested that Rev. Pippens become her assistant.  At first, her request was denied and other ministers with more experience in the ministry were offered to her.  Sister Walker prevailed with her request and said, "The Lord told her that Rev. Pippens is to be my assistant."

They yielded to her request and Rev. Abram W. Pippens became the assistant pastor of St. John in September 1970. Rev. Pippens served as assistant pastor for five years under Sister Walker. In September 1975, Sister Walker was forced into retirement because of her ill health. Rev. Pippens became the pastor upon her retirement.

Sister Walker pastored St. John for Fifty years, however, it is recorded that during the year 1930-1931, she did evangelistic work and Rev. Addison of Pittsburgh pastored in her absence.

Sis. Gussie Mae Walker Latimer died at the age of 83 on Dec. 22, 1981.