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In the year of 1963,
the Lord put it on the heart of the late Reverend Oliver
Young Sr., to begin a mission in the city of Buffalo. After
many months of tedious searching, a building was found at
401 East Ferry Street, that had previously been occupied
by the Good Samaritan Church of God In Christ, pastured
by the late Reverend George Moore, whose failing health
necessitated his relinquishing his pastorage. Reverend Young
started services with his wife and children and was joined
by four members of Elder Moore’s congregation. The
church was organized, and by popular vote chose to keep
the name Good Samaritan Church of God In Christ.
Within a few months the Lord greatly blessed and souls were
added to the church. The late Mrs. Martha Royster was the
first convert of the newly organized church. During the
first two years of Reverend Young’s pastorage, the
church flourished and the membership more than doubled.
He immediately began a Building Fund, for he had a vision
even at that early time, that one day the Lord would bless
the congregation to purchase a building for God.
In March, 1968 the church was forced to find quarters elsewhere
because the building occupied at that time was being sold.
The congregation moved to 182 Walnut Street and rented a
church there.
On June 9,1968 Reverend Oliver Young Sr. passed away, and
the church mourned the loss of their beloved pastor, but
was determined to continue his work as he would have desired.
Reverend Glenwood Young Sr. carried on and was officially
appointed pastor of the Good Samaritan Church of God In
Christ in January of 1969.
The church experienced a period of great difficulty during
the year of 1969, but through much prayer and fasting, and
many sacrifices, came out victorious in the end, with the
purchase of the present edifice. Reverend Oliver Young Sr.’s
vision came to pass on December 18, 1969 when the first
service was held in the new church, and the building was
officially dedicated by the late Bishop C.H. McCoy on June
21, 1970.
In 1999 under the leadership of the then Bishop Glenwood
H. Young Sr. a total renovation of the sanctuary was completed,
and today stands as a testament of Bishop Young’s vision
and a memorial to the late Reverend Oliver Young Sr.
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