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The Founding of Shalom Church
Shalom’s journey began on Sunday, June 6, 1993 at the home of Pastor Freddy and Cheryl Clark, 15 people met for the sole purpose of finding a place to worship. The name “Shalom” (which means peace) was given to the church in hopes to embrace the vision of Shalom where preaching, teaching, and praying are exemplified.
The first worship service was held June 13, 1993 at Holiday Inn (Woodson Rd.) where 250 persons united over a period of one year. Then a larger facility was needed. In June 1994, worship services were held in the gymnasium of Ascension Catholic School located on the north side of the city. While there, another 100 persons united. Again, space ran out!
Church Is In The Man Not In The Land
It was at the gymnasium that Shalom Church celebrated its first church and pastor anniversary on June 12, 1994. Under the leadership of Pastor Clark, Shalom Church sought out to find a place to call their own. The first worship held at the Berkeley campus was on January 1, 1995.
A journey likened to the “wilderness experience” of the Israelites was a joyful reminder of what God was doing in the life of Shalom Church. Pastor Clark continued to preach, teach and pray to a congregation who loves to hear God’s word. Pastor Clark has been blessed with a unique gift of bringing “scripture to life.”
Christ Mission In The World
It was at the Berkeley Campus where the congregation began to flourish in ministry and sought out the needs of the local community. Pastor Clark was elected and installed as Vice President of American Baptist Churches of Great Rivers Region in 1998. Because of the growth of Shalom Church in 1999 Shalom began to have three worship services at the Berkeley Campus.
In April of 2000 it was obvious that Shalom Church had to seek expansion or build an edifice to accommodate the growth, classes and ministry. Soon after starting a Stewardship Campaign, the Berkeley Campus mortgage was paid off and Shalom purchased 115 acres of land in Florissant.
Although groundbreaking had taken place in June of 2003, Shalom Church was growing in rapid numbers, and the Berkeley Campus could not accommodate the amount of traffic on a weekly bases. Shalom Church began holding 2 worship services at Hazelwood Central High School Auditorium in July of 2004 as well as one worship service at the Berkeley Campus.
Breaking Ground In Ministry
On the 13th Church and Pastor Anniversary, June 11, 2006, Shalom Church had its inaugural worship at the Lindbergh Campus. Now, the one church operates in two locations, Lindbergh and Berkeley. Shalom Church continued to grow by leaps and bounds.
In 2008 “A Call To Oneness” was founded by Dr. F. James Clark, local leaders, and ministers to promote oneness within the inner city of St. Louis, MO. The march hosted 60,000 people throughout the city streets.
Over the years Shalom Church has strengthened their reach into the community with holiday food baskets, toy drives, health awareness programs, scholarship awards, prison ministry, practical living classes, financial seminars and college fairs. Shalom Church hosted community meetings, and Seminary classes and graduations.
In the 21st Century, Shalom Church (City of Peace) continues to be a fellowship abundantly blessed by God and led by the anointed man of God, Reverend Dr. Freddy J. Clark.