Historical November 1991 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The New Cote Brilliante Church of God moved into the former Delmar Baptist Church at 6195 Washington this past summer.
An overflowing congregation, led by Pastor Miki Merritt, held a dedication service on September 29.
This new Skinker-DeBaliviere congregation is growing, numbering around 200 members today.
The “New” in New Cote Brilliante is because the church formed only three years ago.
For years, the Cote Brilliante Church of God met at Cote Brilliante and Sample Ave.
In January, 1989, the church moved further north to a new facility on Riverview Boulevard.
But several members decided they wished to continue in the central part of the city, and met at a member’s home. “We are a miracle church,” says member Alice Roach. “As we met in the home, we just started to grow.” The New Cote Brilliante family then met for more than one and a half years at the Officer Funeral Home at 1905 Union. “The Officer Chapel was a comfortable, beautiful experience,” said Roach, “but then we outgrew it.
We had looked informally at Delmar Baptist, but saw many obstacles because it is so large and expensive.
However, we worked with a real estate firm, and the Delmar Baptist people were so gracious, that we are now here!” Parking is a problem around the church. Roach said. Pastor Merritt’s instructions are to “save the neighbor’s spaces” and has asked the members not to park east of the church on Washington. Southwestern Bell allows use of their lots, and the church has an agreement with the city for angle parking on the east side of Skinker on Sundays. Many people are involved in running the New Cote Brilliante Church of God.
The chairman of the Board of Trustees is Ed Ferguson. Martha Hill chairs the Deacon and Deaconess Board. Minnie Perry is the chairperson of the Board of Christian Education.
The ministers of music are Carol Merritt, Linda Stowers, Mark Stowers, and Cheryl Stowers.
This summer the church held a vacation Bible School which many neighborhood children attended.
The church would like to house a Project Head Start program and has approached the Community Council for support. “We hope to be a shining light in the neighborhood,” said Roach. “Our primary focus is witnessing to others the goodness of the Lord. That’s hard unless you meet their needs first!” “We extend our warmest welcome to our new neighbors and wishes them every success in their new home,” said Nancy Farmer, executive director of the SDCC.
Original photograph caption
New Cote Brilliante Church of God, 6195 Washington at Skinker (as printed). Photo by King Schoenfeld.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November 1991.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Printed6195Washington conflicts prior6195Delmar; preserve original street, address not inferred. PastorMikiMerrittasprinted.
Original source: SD_Times1991_11.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
