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HISTORY OF PURITAN
April 1944, a group of anxious people met at the home of Rev. & Mrs. John J. Crook (556 Udell Street) for the purpose of organizing a "Mission", it was called "New Testament Mission.” July 1944, the Mission was moved into the building at 2611 Annette Street. Later, on October 1944, a Council of 8 Ministers were called together to organize Puritan Missionary Baptist Church and Rev. John J. Crook was voted in as Pastor. The church started with 15 members.
We broke ground for the old sanctuary in July 1950 (872 W. 27th St.) under the leadership of Rev. Samuel Swancy. We marched into the building February 1951. Rev. Crook was called back to Puritan in 1960 through April 1975 when he was called home to be with God. Puritan has had several Pastors since that time. As the Word of God teaches us to "give honor to whom honor is due", we recognize the former men of God who embraced their watch with diginity and integrity.
Our present pastor, Bishop Larry Grinstead, upon arriving to Puritan in September 1997 shared with the church body the things that the Lord had spoken to him concerning the Puritan Ministry. Beginning with a membership of only 57, the Lord began to fulfill the Word which had been spoken. Within five (5) years of being the visionary, God manifested a portion of the vision by erecting a new state of the art sanctuary which was celebrated on May 5, 2002. Presently, the membership has grown to nearly 2,000 members, two explosive worship services and a host of other spiritual weapons. Bishop Grinstead's niche in the Body of Christ is Empowerment. Bishop Grinstead believes and teaches that every kingdom builder should operate and stay within their respective lane. Therefore, operating from the pastoral lane and operating within the power gifts the ministry is designed to teach others to walk in purpose and arrive at their destiny.
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