Fifty years ago, Bea Dixon put a small 2x2 post in the local newspaper and invited people to become a part of new church being formed in the sleepy little bedroom town of Florence, Kentucky. The rest has become history as a small group of people gathered in her home over on Russell Street, which is adjacent to the present property of our campus. Bea was a key person along with those who joined her. Then the miracles begin to happen, as a result of the prayers of faith that came out of the desire born of the Spirit of God.
The first meeting place was the Boone Room in the Ramada Inn where the new Drury Hotel is presently being built. Pastor Paul Baldwin was the first pastor of Heritage and he was a real man of God. On the first Sunday he just happened to be sick. Mike Denigan, along with two other men, Steve Wren and Chub Brown, were the first Deacons of the church. Mike had been saved a year and heard that Pat Boone was in town, performing at Beverly Hills Supper Club. He had a hard time believing that Pat Boone who was a professed Christian could be the headliner at the renowned place of entertainment. Therefore, he went to ask him to find out for himself, after the show he went up to Pat Boone and said, "Hi I am Mike Denigan" and Pat Boone replied, "I am Pat Boone." Mike said, "I thought so." Mike then drilled him to see if he was really a Blood bought Child of God and Pat said, "I am a Born-Again Christian." Mike then said, "Then you must be a child of God and know the scriptures, would you preach in our church tomorrow morning?" Pat then asked Mike, "where is your church located?" Mike replied, "the Ramada in Florence." Pat with a puzzled look on his face said, "I am staying in the Ramada in Florence," and agreed to speak for the church the next morning. At exactly 10 AM Pat walked into the Boone Room to the surprise of a crowd of 30 people, 15 men and 15 women.
Then as the body of believers began to grow. They moved to the SAFE PLACE storage facility on Industrial Drive where there was a larger meeting room, located upstairs in the facility. It was from this location, THE SAFE PLACE the moving parts we speak of began to emerge. In one of the meetings God spoke though Kris and Kandi's mom, Ruth Wren, and the word was "God has reserved the best piece of property in Florence for you and it will be available soon." In less than 60 to 90 days 7216 U.S. 42 became available. The man that owned the property was the owner of a Railroad Steam Engine Repair Shop over in Price Hill area by the Cincinnati Union Terminal (The handrail in the office was taken from one of the old Pullman Dining cars). Times were hard financially in 1976 and he sold the property to us on a land contract when there was no more than 15,000.00 dollars in the bank. Faith moved the hand of God and the vision for the future was born.
The congregation met in the White House and then when the time was right they moved the White House to the back of the property from street side to where it is located now and serves as our offices. This all began with mustard seed faith and to the credit of this small group of believers who took God at His Word and stepped out believing God had spoken. Tom Scruggs, who was a church builder, then came in as pastor and built the Children's Building and started construction on the Sanctuary. We came in October of 1981 and over time we added the gym and the classes on the back of the building. A few years back we purchased the Nesbaum Family Farm, the property in the open space next door to the present sanctuary, which takes in the parking lot and the ball field, all the way back to the Florence Cemetery.
Heritage has offered a sense of community to hundreds of people who have found a safe haven, an island of plenty in an ocean of want. Many have found a system of support for those who have experienced that life sometimes comes at us fast. As much as "foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" the church is a place that helps incorporate spiritual life into family affairs. Disciplines are taught often by association, along with faith, hope and love which are taught by example.
One of the most important things that we learn is self-identity and self-esteem. It is important to understand that theological values are often a means by which the individual can impact the world at large. Heritage has offered to the community creative outlets where by inspiration can motivate and improve our lifestyles. The Academy has served as a resource to children and families for four decades. Our present school year is exciting, and we are off to a beautiful start. Heritage Fellowship is a House of Prayer and a Place of Worship where transparency as well as a corporate desire to please God has been welcome to God's Presence through the years.
Join us for the Golden Jubilee of Heritage, October 10-13, 2024
Your loving pastors,
Pastor Cleddie and GayNell Keith
The first meeting place was the Boone Room in the Ramada Inn where the new Drury Hotel is presently being built. Pastor Paul Baldwin was the first pastor of Heritage and he was a real man of God. On the first Sunday he just happened to be sick. Mike Denigan, along with two other men, Steve Wren and Chub Brown, were the first Deacons of the church. Mike had been saved a year and heard that Pat Boone was in town, performing at Beverly Hills Supper Club. He had a hard time believing that Pat Boone who was a professed Christian could be the headliner at the renowned place of entertainment. Therefore, he went to ask him to find out for himself, after the show he went up to Pat Boone and said, "Hi I am Mike Denigan" and Pat Boone replied, "I am Pat Boone." Mike said, "I thought so." Mike then drilled him to see if he was really a Blood bought Child of God and Pat said, "I am a Born-Again Christian." Mike then said, "Then you must be a child of God and know the scriptures, would you preach in our church tomorrow morning?" Pat then asked Mike, "where is your church located?" Mike replied, "the Ramada in Florence." Pat with a puzzled look on his face said, "I am staying in the Ramada in Florence," and agreed to speak for the church the next morning. At exactly 10 AM Pat walked into the Boone Room to the surprise of a crowd of 30 people, 15 men and 15 women.
Then as the body of believers began to grow. They moved to the SAFE PLACE storage facility on Industrial Drive where there was a larger meeting room, located upstairs in the facility. It was from this location, THE SAFE PLACE the moving parts we speak of began to emerge. In one of the meetings God spoke though Kris and Kandi's mom, Ruth Wren, and the word was "God has reserved the best piece of property in Florence for you and it will be available soon." In less than 60 to 90 days 7216 U.S. 42 became available. The man that owned the property was the owner of a Railroad Steam Engine Repair Shop over in Price Hill area by the Cincinnati Union Terminal (The handrail in the office was taken from one of the old Pullman Dining cars). Times were hard financially in 1976 and he sold the property to us on a land contract when there was no more than 15,000.00 dollars in the bank. Faith moved the hand of God and the vision for the future was born.
The congregation met in the White House and then when the time was right they moved the White House to the back of the property from street side to where it is located now and serves as our offices. This all began with mustard seed faith and to the credit of this small group of believers who took God at His Word and stepped out believing God had spoken. Tom Scruggs, who was a church builder, then came in as pastor and built the Children's Building and started construction on the Sanctuary. We came in October of 1981 and over time we added the gym and the classes on the back of the building. A few years back we purchased the Nesbaum Family Farm, the property in the open space next door to the present sanctuary, which takes in the parking lot and the ball field, all the way back to the Florence Cemetery.
Heritage has offered a sense of community to hundreds of people who have found a safe haven, an island of plenty in an ocean of want. Many have found a system of support for those who have experienced that life sometimes comes at us fast. As much as "foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" the church is a place that helps incorporate spiritual life into family affairs. Disciplines are taught often by association, along with faith, hope and love which are taught by example.
One of the most important things that we learn is self-identity and self-esteem. It is important to understand that theological values are often a means by which the individual can impact the world at large. Heritage has offered to the community creative outlets where by inspiration can motivate and improve our lifestyles. The Academy has served as a resource to children and families for four decades. Our present school year is exciting, and we are off to a beautiful start. Heritage Fellowship is a House of Prayer and a Place of Worship where transparency as well as a corporate desire to please God has been welcome to God's Presence through the years.
Join us for the Golden Jubilee of Heritage, October 10-13, 2024
Your loving pastors,
Pastor Cleddie and GayNell Keith