Our History
In 1955, Bishop Lena Thomas answered the call of God to establish the Gates of Heaven Pentecostal Church at 4410 Lancaster Avenue; one year later, they bought a storefront at 867 Belmont Avenue and later purchased the building next door. Her husband passed away one year later. Though the building was small the work was great, she had a special way with the youth, the Saturday joy night services and all night prayer meetings drew young people from all over Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware.
Bishop Thomas and her young people could be found on Tuesday and Thursday nights during the summer ministering on the street corners in trouble areas of the city. Her ministry extended beyond the pulpit to the alcoholic, drug addict, the homeless and the single mother. Bishop Thomas’ ministry did not stop at 869 Belmont Avenue; the Lord led her to establish churches throughout the city, Beulah Tabernacle Pentecostal church at 49th and Baltimore Avenue, Reverend Keith Thomas, her grandson serves as pastor, he preceded her son the late Elder Calvin Thomas, Sr. The Open Mission True Light church at 52nd and Parrish Streets, under the pastorate of her granddaughter, Reverend Dr. Maureen Davis.
In the 1970’s the Lord began to trouble Bishop Thomas to reach out beyond the U.S.A., to Liberia West Africa. In 1973 she met Mother Rachel Brown and Elder Caroline Page; they were in Philadelphia visiting from Liberia. They went back home under the name of the Gates of Heaven Mid-Day Chapel. In 1976 she took a group to Liberia, she and her group were special guess of the late President William Tolbert. During that visit she opened the first church in Ghabta. Later several churches were opened throughout Liberia, including a headquarters church in Monrovia the capital of Liberia. One of her greatest dreams became a reality when a home was established for homeless girls under the leadership of Elder Edith Ricks. Bishop Thomas made several trips to Liberia to help and encourage the saints until the civil war prevented travel; however she continues to send money, clothing and other necessities to the church and home.
From the opening of the first little storefront at 4410 Lancaster Avenue, Bishop Thomas had a dream to build a memorial to Calvary, a church built from the ground. At the age of 80 when most women would be ready to sit back and retire she started to build a church directed by the Lord. The church was completed and dedicated at 1755 N. 57th Street on August 24, 1996.
In December 2001, Bishop Lorraine Thomas Ware, succeeded Bishop Lena Thomas and was installed as pastor of Gates of Heaven Pentecostal Church, Inc. She faithful served and expanded the international missional efforts for 22 years until her passing in July, 2023.
Hither to hath the Lord helped us...
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