People's Community Church Berea OH

People's Community Church is in Berea Ohio approximately 25 miles southwest of Cleveland Ohio. It has a membership of approximately 200 members and friends. It maintains membership in the International Council of Community Churches. It works cooperatively with the local churches as well as with nonprofit organizations in Berea and Cleveland.

Mission Statement: People's Community Church (PCC) equips and inspires its members to demonstrate the love of Christ through lives of sacrifice, service, fellowship, and the pursuit of an intimate relationship with Christ.

Motto: One Church, One Family, One Community

 

Download People's Community Church vCard with Service Times

Click here to contact the church  

Download Pastor Rev. Charles (CJ) Harkness vCard with bio

Click here to contact Rev. Charles (CJ) Harkness  

 

http://www.peoplescommunity.org/  

 

 

Know how to get there? Share the knowledge with others!  

Please share parking information and/or parking experience!  

Food Pantry

In response to an increased number of local families struggling to get by in a tough economy, the People's Community Church Food Pantry was created by the Church so that the world may see that we, as Christians, do care and are willing to become involved when others need help in living testimony to the fact that God, through Christ, is active in the world, to the end that His light may shine ever brighter in our community.
How We Started

In the Fall of 2012, the PCC Food Pantry qualified as a Member Agency of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
One in six Ohioans struggles to put food on the table. We work together to ensure that everyone in our community has the opportunity to have access to the nutrious nutritious food they need.

What We Provide

Assistance available through the People's Community Church Pantry includes lots of fresh produce, meat, non-perishable food items, personal products and other needed items, regardless of race, color or creed.

The Food Pantry is open the third Saturday of every month from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon.

The food pantry is located at:

628 Wesley Dr. Berea, Ohio 44017

If you are in need of food we look forward to seeing you!  

 

 

CHURCH HISTORY - 1973 - 2017

On February 17, 1973, Pastor Hezekiah Ford and members Carolyn Ford, Booker, and Juanita Collins, Trummie and Ilona Hudson, Leo and Wilma Norris, and Dwight and Winifred West established non-denominational People's Community Church in Berea. The first service was held on March 11, 1973 at the Baldwin Wallace College McKelvey Hall.

People's Community Church was incorporated in 1973. The first Baptism was held on June 3, 1973 for Cheryl L. Sutherland using the pool at Brook Park Community Church. The first Blessings were given to Sirron and Sirree Norris on April 15, 1973. Mrs. Delia Mae Simpson was named the first Mother of the Church in 1973. From February 3, 1974, to August 1989, the Church held its services at the Baldwin Wallace College Lindsay-Crossman Chapel. On March 30, 1975, Rev. Hezekiah Ford resigned after accepting employment in Detroit, Michigan.

On June 29, 1975, the Church unanimously voted to call Reverend Leroy McCreary as its second Pastor. He was installed on August 31, 1975, and has led the Church in its growth and involvement in the community. Rev. Patrick Hunt was installed as Associate Pastor on November 9, 1980. In 1981, People's Community Church joined the International Council of Community Churches(ICCC). Pastor McCreary served as its President from August 2007 to July 2009.

In 1986, an academic scholarship in memory of Leon R. Dozier II was established. In 1988, a Deacon Board was installed. In August 1989, People's Community Church moved to its new home here at 631 North Rocky River Drive. In 1996, the Church purchased an Administrative and Educational Annex.

In 2000, Sister Laura Dozier was named the second Mother of the Church. In March 2000, to continue its outreach to the community, the Church saw a need for an African American Library. Deacon Clyde Albergottie and Sister Marvelle Wilson quickly took on this challenge. They collected hundreds of books, and after sorting through them they placed them in what is now known as the PCC African American Library located upstairs at 628 Wesley Drive, at the Church's Administrative Annex.

The Church has been involved in several significant outreach efforts, including aid to missionaries serving in Haiti and Africa. In addition, with the recommendation by Rev. McCreary the Church approved the establishment of the North End Foundation of Berea which provides summer jobs to Berea youth, an annual science camp for Berea students in grades one through six, a free high-speed Internet service and other community-related programs.

In July 2003, the congregation constructed a new sanctuary. The first service was conducted just a few weeks prior to the dedication that included ICCC conferees here in town for their annual conference. On March 14, 2010 the Reverand Leroy and Elain McCreary Youth Outreach Center at 634 Wesley Drive was dedicated.

In April 2009, People's Community Church joined the Berea community in an awards ceremony in which the Berea Chamber of Commerce and the City of Berea chose Rev. McCreary as its outstanding citizen and presented him its Grindstone Award.

On Sunday, November 27, 2011, the first and only color electronic sign in the City of Berea was dedicated at People's Community Church.

In 2012, People's Community Church met the requirements to qualify as an authorized member agency of the Greater Cleveland Foodbank in Berea.

The year of 2013 was an exciting year for People's Community Church and the members.

The Church celebrated its 40th Anniversary. Members and friends, gathered at the LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility in Westlake OH with the theme of Helping Outside Our Walls. The Keynote Speaker was Reverend Michael Livingston, the National Public Policy Director, and Director of the District of Columbia Office for Interfaith Worker Justice.

October 3, 2015 was an important day in the life and ministry of the church. Members, friends, citizens, and elected officials gathered at the Crowne Plaza Ballroom in Middleburg Heights to celebrate Pastor McCreary's 40th anniversary. Heeding the call and Keeping the Faith (Isaiah 6:8) was the theme and it included Dr. Julian M. Earls, former Director of the Glenn Research Center as the keynote speaker.

Through the Grace of God, People's Community Church has established itself as an important part of the Christian community and the North End of Berea, and the Church looks forward to many more years of Christian service.