The Historic Past Of Lingo Memorial Church

The current Lingo Memorial was the “Mother” Church of God in Christ in Harrisburg. Originally known as the Broad Street Church of God in Christ, it was established in 1924 under the leadership of Elder L. R. Roberson and his wife, Bessie. Over the next six years, Elder Roberson and the Saints built the church by going door to door, witnessing people, praying with them, and extending invitations for them to attend the church.

In 1930, Bishop Mason sent Elder Roberson to New York. Over the next ten years, the church was led by several dynamic pastors: Elder Kendall from Pittsburgh, Elder John J. Perkins, known as the “singing preacher,” and Elder Wyoming Wells. 

In 1940, Elder E. T. Lingo and his wife, Genieve, took over the leadership of the church. Within four years, they built a new edifice on Sixth Street in Harrisburg. One year later, on August 2, 1945, the church was incorporated and registered with the state of Pennsylvania as the Lingo Temple Church of God in Christ.

Unfortunately, in 1960, due to the Urban Renewal, the Sixth Street location had to be torn down. The congregation then moved to 501 N. Cameron Street until June 22, 1972, when Hurricane Agnes flooded the church. However, from the time Elder Lingo arrived until his death on February 26, 1969, the congregation and spiritual programs continued to grow.

Elder Joseph E. Bass was the Pastor from 1970-1977. Under his leadership, the present location was purchased, and the church name was changed from Lingo Temple to Lingo Memorial.

From 1977 until April 20, 2018, the church was blessed to be under the great leadership of Bishop Benjamin J. Ravenel, Sr., a man who loved the Lord and the people of God and one who had a great vision and much wisdom. Upon his arrival at the church, the membership consisted of approximately 20 adults and a few children. However, the church grew abundantly because of his faithfulness and selflessness, and numerous ministries were birthed for the young and old. Under his leadership, the ongoing objectives of the church were and still are holy and righteous living, soul-winning winning, and kingdom-building.

Bishop Ravenel was an example of how to contribute to the church both spiritually and financially. As a result, the church extension was built and now houses our administrative offices; a house was purchased that is used for community outreach; vans were purchased, and the sanctuary was renovated. He led the project in the last year of his life to pay off the church mortgage.

Since the beginning, our church has been blessed with outstanding men as pastors and blessed and anointed women. Mother Lula Lucky, Mother Ruth White, who in 1966 was appointed Jurisdictional Supervisor by Bishop O. T. Jones, Sr.; Mother Ezell Ellison, and our current Church Mother Lula Wiggins, appointed by Bishop Ravenel in August 2016. Even though she never served as the official Church Mother, Mother Matilda Ravenel has significantly influenced this church's growth.

In June 2011, Elder Ronald Holton, Sr, and his wife, Evangelist Jewel Holton, joined the Historic Lingo Memorial Church of God in Christ. Elder Ronald D Holton, Sr was appointed Assistant Pastor in December 2015. He served closely and faithfully with Bishop Ravenel, gleaning and embracing the wisdom and lessons of his more than 50 years of Pastoral experience. He helped to guide the congregation through the transition of Bishop Ravenel, which occurred on April 20, 2018. With the overwhelming support of the congregation, he was appointed the Pastor of Lingo Memorial, the eighth in succession, by Bishop Guy L. Glimp, Prelate, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, on August 20, 2018. Pastor Holton truly is a man after God’s own heart and has a passion for seeing broken souls changed through the word of God. Because of this passion, our church vision is “Centered in Christ. Centered in the Community.”