Agape Assembly History
Agape Assembly Church was founded by Pastor Ernest McCollum and his wife, Virginia McCollum on March
20, 1983. The first meeting was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Taylor. The number in attendance
was 20. At this meeting the name of the church was derived--Agape, which means unconditional love.
The first services were held May 1, 1983 at the Warren, OH YWCA.
The church was chartered by the state of Ohio in August 1983. The
Church secured a permanent home worship facility on October 2, 1983
through the purchase of a small Church building. Pastor McCollum
continued to lead Agape Assembly until his health failed. Unable to
continue, he resigned in 1984. That same year, Richard Oliver, an Elder
in the Church was called to pastor.
Room To Grow
Under Pastor Oliver's leadership, Agape Assembly began to grow and reach out to the community. During
his tenure, a food and clothing pantry was established and an outreach group called Christians in Recovery,
for those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, was created. In need of a larger facility to house the
many ministries envisioned by Pastor Oliver, the growing assembly secured the former West Junior High
School as its primary worship facility.
By this time, weekly attendance averaged 100 and eight Elders
occupied the Executive Board. Pastor Oliver presided over
Agape Assembly until he passed away in April 1993. That
same year, George Howard Johnson, Sr., an Elder in the
Church was unanimously selected by the Executive Board and
approved by the congregation to fill the position of Pastor.
A New Season...
Pastor Johnson guided the Church through trying times that saw the exit of several members of the Executive
board. By the mid 1990’s, weekly attendance dwindled to 15-20 individuals. In spite of this, all of the
ministries established under Pastor Oliver were maintained and even expanded. Through aggressive
evangelistic efforts spearheaded by Pastor Johnson, Agape slowly rebounded as new members filled the
vacant spots. Shortly after paying off the last of its debts in 2002, the church faced its pending lease
expiration. Pastor Johnson began to make plans for the congregation of 40 to build a new facility.
On November 7, 2004 Agape Assembly Church moved into a
newly constructed 400 seat facility just blocks away from its former
home. The new building is now open daily. The fellowship hall has
recently been converted into a computer and recreation center.
newly constructed 400 seat facility just blocks away from its former
home. The new building is now open daily. The fellowship hall has
recently been converted into a computer and recreation center.
-Pastor Johnson cuts the ribbon to the newly
built edifice as Warren City Officials look on.
built edifice as Warren City Officials look on.
| Interior View - Sanctuary |
| Exterior View - Rear |
| |||||
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |