History

On September 6, 1986 with the blessing of Rev. Joel Walters, Rev. Burton and her eldest daughter Rev. Margaret Forrester (then Margaret Burton) decided to follow the calling of God on their lives. They started the first day of worship at 205 West 242 Street, Bronx, NY. With the assistance of the state Mission Director, Rev. Merchovich the ministry was named Broadway Church of God.

Rev. Burton and Rev. Forrester organized a day of fasting at their home. It was at this fasting that Mother Lorenza Brown encouraged them by saying “fear not for God is with you”. Mother Brown decided to take her membership. Finally after days of prayer and fasting they found a place to house the church. The location of the church was 205 West 242 Street, Bronx, NY. They then gave the ministry the name “Broadway Church of God”.

Each Sunday they entered the church with the expectation to receive a blessing from God. The attendance for Sunday School and mid-day worship for quite a while was just three, but that did not discourage the hearts of the two people who had the call of God on their lives. They were mocked and stoned by teenagers as they pass by. Each time the church door open a homeless man visited with them. Finally the first visitor for worship service walked in, a lady by the name of Sis Evelyn Brown. The next Sunday she invited her friend Mrs. Hodge. Mrs. Hodge was a very old lady. When she came to the church she did not know Christ as her Savior, but before long she gave her life to God and she was the first person to be filled with the Holly Ghost.

The church continued to press forward. It was at this time that Sis Rosemarie Salmon, her second daughter (then Rosemarie Burton) and others were added to the church. Even her husband came to this humble place and recommitted his life to God. Unfortunately, not long after that, the Broadway Church of God lost it's first convert, Sis. Hodge. Her husband found her dead in their home.

Due to an increase in the rent for this location they had to relocate temporary at Rev. Burton’s home for awhile. One day while visiting another church Pastor Burton met with Sis Campbell. In 1987 the Broadway Church of God relocated to a hall in the basement of an apartment building on Kingsbridge Ave in the Bronx. The name of the church was then changed from Broadway Church of God to Kingsbridge Church of God. They spent about one year at this location They found this space with the help of a blind brother and his wife (Bro. and Sis Campbell). Bro. Campbell was their second musician with his keyboard. One Sunday while worshiping a drain over their heads burst and water came down on them. The members and Pastor Burton decided they had to move again.

When the church relocated to 3636 White Plains Road, it was officiallly organized with seven members. They were able to hold their first rally chaired by Sis Corona Thompson (the wife of Bishop Clifford Thompson). The name of the church was not changed, from Kingsbridge Church of God because they realized it would not be possible to continue changing the name each time they moved.

The church went from having a membership of 7 members (6 women and 1 man) to about 15 along with others who visited regularly. 3636 White Plains Road was a very small place but the feeling of love and unity was there as they worshiped each Sunday. As the membership grew Pastor Burton saw the need to move once again to a bigger place where her flock could be more comfortable to worship. In 1993 the Lord blessed the Kingsbridge Church of God with a much bigger place to worship, located at 3639 White Plains Road. The condition of the building was not suitable for worship, however, God heard the prayers of his people requesting help and sent them Brother Buddo and his family. Brother Buddo along with other members worked tirelessly to make the sanctuary a beautiful place. They also received a helping hand from Brother Burton. Bro. Buddo and Bro. Burton are now with the Lord. Their help and support, however, will never be forgotten. During the 6 years that they spent at this location many were added to the church. Yes, they lost some but for each person that left God brought in many more.

As the church grew the space became more and more limited. A unanimous decision was made for a final move. The united spirit of the members drew the attention of the District Overseer Rev. Clifford Thompson and he suggested the final name for the church“The United Church of God”. After years of walking and driving up and down White Plains Road, Rev. Burton and Rev. Margaret Forrester were informed by Bishop Clifford Thompson of a building at 4444 White Plains Road. This break came when he spoke with a member of the Mount Vernon Church of God who worked at the building. Pastor Burton and her congregation consulted with Bishop Thompson, and with his blessings they worked together to purchase the building in December 1999 After many nights of hard work by the men and women of the United Church of God, the building was made habitable. God showered down his blessing on the church and today Rev. Miriam Burton and her congregation can lift their hands and say “to God be the glory great things he has done”.

December 2006, Rev. Burton received the first of what would be two strokes. The stroke damaged her ability to speak fluently. This did not stop her, because every time she stood in the pulpit she was able to declare to the church. “GOD IS WELL ABLE.” In August 2007, she was struck with yet another stroke that partially paralyzed her on the right side and on March of 2015, Rev. Miriam Burton was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. On June 10, 2017 she suffered a third stroke which affected her left side. In her own way she has touched many lives even through her sickness. On July 18, 2017 Rev Miriam Pitter-Burton completed her task on earth and went to be with her Lord. Rev. Miriam Burton was able to bask in the fruits of her labor from the first call of God to this very moment. She was a mother, sister, grandmother, friend, teacher, mentor, Evangelist and most of all a Pastor to everyone. Rev. Miriam Burton’s legacy lives on in her daughter Rev. Margaret Burton-Forrester, who is now the Senior Pastor of the United Church of God.