A Brief Historical Sketch
It was the Fall of the year 1914, and during the preceding years that and influx of immigrants from the West Indies came to New York. Many of them were settling in Harlem and the surrounding uptown areas of New York City. The Christians who were residents in this area took advantage of this opportunity to spread the gospel to the newcomers, as instructed in the great commission given by our Lord. “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” Mark 16:15. In due time it became evident that the Lord would have these believers to gather to His name in Harlem for worship, and a more effective witness to the locals in the area. After much discussion and waiting on the Lord, the brethren at the 125th Street Assembly gave them the right hand of fellowship and commended them to the grace of God. A nucleus of twenty-five brethren ventured out to start the new work and moved to 50 West 134th Street where Grace Gospel Chapel had its beginning. The work prospered as the hand of the Lord was evident. Many were saved and their numbers increased tremendously.
- Harlem One Stop
In the early part of the 19th century, a tremendous and powerful work of the Holy Spirit occurred. Godly, exercised Christians of that era sought a simpler way to gather than the "cold and rigid" formality offered by the organized state churches of Europe, particularly England and Ireland. They were disheartened by the claims of Roman Catholicism and the numerous divisions found in the Protestant movement. They dedicated themselves to much prayer and the study of God's Word! They rediscovered, by the help of the Holy Spirit, the great fundamental truths of God's word including the doctrine of
The Body of Christ: Eph. 1:15-23, 1 Cor. 12:12-31
The House of God: Eph. 2:11-22
The Bride of Christ: 1 Thes. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:51-58
The Simplicity of the Lord's Supper: Luke 22:14-20
The Priesthood of All Believers: 1 Pet. 2:9-10, Rev. 1:5-6
The Imminent Return of Christ: 1 Thess. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:51-58
The Inerrancy of the Scriptures: 2 Tim. 3:16, Heb. 4:12-13
The Deity of Christ: John 1:1-3, Cold. 1:13-19, among other precious truths.
The so-called "Brethren movement" commenced in Dublin, Ireland around 1825; the early leaders of this work of the Spirit of God were Edward Cronin, Edward Wilson, and John Nelson Darby.
"For where two or three are gathered unto my name, there I am in the midst of them." (Matt. 18:20). We are simply believers who own no other gathering center but Christ. He is the head of the Assembly/Church (Eph. 1:21-23, Col. 1:14-19). We gather as a local assembly in total dependence upon the Spirit of God. He, the Holy Spirit, "presides" over our meetings. (John 14:15-17, 15:26-27, 16:13-14, Gal. 5:16, 18, 23). We gather on Sundays for our Remembrance meeting; we simply come together to remember our blessed Lord Jesus Christ in His death. We worship and praise Him and God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Although we own Christ as the Head of the Assembly (the body of the Christ consisting of all true believers around the world), we understand from scripture that He has given leaders to the local assemblies/churches. (Heb. 13:7), 17, 1 Peter 5:1-4, 1 Tim. 3:1-14, Titus 1:5-9, Acts 20:28). These godly men lead and guide the assembly as before the Lord. With much prayer and exercise, they provide oversight and direction. No single brother takes the position of the "leader" of our local assembly.
We make no claims to be a denomination; although we have been called one. We make no claim to perfection, knowing that the only perfection is in Christ. We own all true believers as members of the Body of Christ. We are in fellowship with other believers who gather us in the metropolitan area, the country and around the world. (1 These. 4:13-18).
Please feel free to contact us and make any inquiries that you may have.