On September 6, 1981, Bishop Clinton R. Coleman, the new Bishop of the 5th Episcopal District, agreed to the separation of the membership of Oak Street AME Zion Church. Six acres of land had been purchased under the Pastorate of Rev. E.H. Whitley for the purpose of building a new church. Some members wanted to precede with the building of the new church, while others wanted to renovate Oak Street AME Zion church. Eventually, a Special Interest Group of 96 members was formed composed of the separated members.
At the 115th Annual Conference, October 1981, Bishop Coleman appointed Rev. Kenneth W. Arrington, Sr. to lead the 96 members of the new church. The church was named Greater Faith AME Zion Church by Mrs. Stella Johnson.
On October 26, 1981, the group of members known as the "Special Interest Group", began to worship at Tucker’s Funeral Home, Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA. The members had identified as their goal, the building of a new church. With Rev. Arrington at the helm of our ship, and the dedicated service of those leaders who had diligently taken on the responsibility of carrying out our goals, many mountains were moved. The Lord truly blessed our church family. We are forever thankful to him for His divine guidance in our undertaking.
Rev. Arrington organized the new church and the church began to take its place in the community as a soul-winning, believing and receiving witness for our Lord and Saviour. The theme of the new church was "For we walk by faith, not by sight", 2 Corinthians 5:7.
Later, the Trustee Board secured the Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church on Washington Street, Petersburg, for our place of worship on Sundays. The Blandford Chapel on E. Wythe St., Petersburg, and Dinwiddie Institute, Dinwiddie, VA served as temporary sites for additional programs and activities. While at Shiloh, the church membership grew and continued to grow each year.
In September 1982, Bishop Coleman officially granted the members permission to establish a new AME Zion Church in Petersburg, VA. The ground-breaking service took place on March 20, 1983 on the Youngs Road property. Shortly thereafter, the building of the approved structure began.
The first worship service in our new church was held on Sunday, Christmas morning, December 25, 1983. On the birthday of Christ Jesus, this was evidence of His goodness to a people in pursuit of a new home. The Dedication Day of Greater Faith AME Zion Church was on February 5, 1984, a truly "Great Day in Zion".
Then, as well as now, the church has prospered by the generosity and goodness of its many members and friends. Our new church didn’t take long to become a warm and welcome change in a city that for years had been the home of only one AME Zion congregation.
The young church soon became a leader in the Petersburg District and Virginia Annual Conference. Rev. Arrington possessed a kind and humble spirit and a dynamic ability to direct the administration of this congregation. Rev. Arrington was our spirited leader from 1981 until July 18, 1993. Under his 12 years of leadership, each department and out-reach ministries of the church were established. Greater Faith took its place in the community as a soul-winning, spirit-filled, loving church of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Rev. M. Luther Hill became the second pastor of Greater Faith AME Zion Church August of 1993. Rev. Hill enhanced our sick and shut in ministry. Rev. Hill, a man of God, a wonderful messenger, and singer for the Lord, was filled with the Holy Ghost and love for his fellow man. Our theme was "We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us". Rev. Hill’s tenure ended in 1996.
Rev. A. A. Parsons was appointed as our minister in 1996. Rev. Parsons emphasized "unity" among the congregation. The theme under his tenure was "Lifting Up the Standards for the People". Rev. Parsons tenure ended June 1999.
Rev. Thomas E. Tucker, Jr. was appointed our pastor June 27, 1999. He chose as his motto for the church "For We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight", 2 Corinthians 5:7. He is a compassionate, caring individual. He emphasizes that we are a Bible believing, Bible preaching church. His tenue ended June 2007 (??).
Rev. John D. Conwell, Jr., was appointed in 2007 (??). His motto was "Equipping The Saints for Ministrry", Ephesians 4:11-12 (NAS). His tenure ended September 2011.
Thursday, September 20, 2011, Bishop Warren M. Brown changed the course of history when he appointed the Rev. Dr. Audrey Jones (deceased) as the first female to pastor Greater Faith A.M.E. Zion Church. Rev. Jones is the former pastor of the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church, Dundas, VA where she served for four (4) years. The Greater Faith family has lovingly received her. Rev. Jones is the third pastor with the motto, “For We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight.” Rev. Jones retired June 2018 due to a decline in health.
Rev. Randy V. Kiah, current pastor (2018-present).
Through the years Greater Faith has had to weather many storms. We’ve lost some who started out with us, however, in God’s infinite wisdom we have overcome victoriously. The journey undertaken has been a steady climb to the top. The past years have shown us that great things can be accomplished with faith and dedicated service.
We have been blessed with pastors who have unselfishly given of themselves to see that we are a spirit-filled church. We continue to look to the future with the hope and great faith that the Lord has yet many doors for us to open. We accept the challenge graciously and without intrepidation.
