A Brief History of Glory To God American Catholic Church

The sounds of a new born baby began on January 16, 1996 when a group of 16 people who had a desire for God and things spiritual in their lives and wanted to birth a church that could meet those needs. From that meeting decisions were made to meet regularly and to call Rev. Jim Morgan, a minister within the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Church, as the founding Pastor.  The church was officially begun on June 8, 1996 with our first Sunday worship service at a church building at 255 W 32nd. Street. Our church (then called Metropolitan Community Church of Ogden) continued to meet at this location for almost a full year. We approached the owners to purchase this property but in the end the negotiations were not successful. In these very early days we grew and evolved, and as with any growth there are the associated pains that come from development. People came and grew and some stayed while others moved on. Losing people has always been personally painful to me. God used these experiences to teach me that it must always and forever be, all about Him. The church outreached and continues to outreach into the GLBT community and to make our self known as a welcoming and affirming church in Ogden. We were involved with the Inter-faith group, The Northern Utah AIDS Coalition, and various other organizations in our city.

In June of 1997 we found the property at 210 W. 22nd. Street and subsequently moved there where we remained for nearly 6 years. During our time there we held 3 Revivals, celebrated all the yearly liturgical Holy days, preformed marriages/Holy Unions, Baptisms, First Communions, Anointing of the sick, held conferences and workshops, invited Christian ministers from all over the USA to come and bring God’s word to us, and we hosted in partnership with the MCC church in Salt Lake City, the District Conference for our denomination (at that time UFMCC.)  Also during this time I was ordained Priest in the American Catholic Church/Old Catholic Church, fulfilling my lifelong dream. In our tenure at this location, once again we attempted to purchase the property. Little did we know that God had something much better in store for us. We continued with all manner of outreach programs and ministries in our church. There is an interesting story that ties directly in to our evolution as a congregation and Gods direct intervention into our lives. It is a long story and is more appropriately told to interested listeners rather than appearing here. It was directly involved with God’s miracle /blessing at our present location. Finally, we reached the point of earnestly desiring/wanting to have a Sanctuary and property that belonged to us.

One afternoon in late August two of our members called with the incredible news of their discovery of what was to be our next and current location. With that phone call began one of the most God filled roller coaster rides of our existence (again a wonderful and long story which would be more appropriate in another setting). In October 30th of 2001 we moved to our current sanctuary at 375 Harrison Blvd. where we remain to this day. We have engaged in the work of the Gospel always at Sacramental levels, at Social levels, and at Ministerial levels. We have had Revivals, invited ministers from various states to preach and teach, engaged in the 5 acts of corporate mercy spoken of by our Lord Jesus Christ in St. Matthew 25:31-44 and various workshops and conferences. We celebrated our 7th. Anniversary of owning our sanctuary and property last October with 5 days of activities. Our church owns the property at 375 Harrison Blvd. free and clear and the story of God’s miracles in this place continues to inspire and remind us of His providential care if we continue to seek His will. The journey has been exciting, challenging, and sometimes sad but; always it has been worthwhile. I am reminded that in the scriptures that Jesus doesn’t promise rest for good work; but more work and He promises the strength to complete it. St. Paul says in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  to God be the glory. I said that to say this. I believe that we are now ready for the next stage of the work that Jesus Christ has called this courageous group of souls called Glory To God American Catholic Church to do. I know that again in the words of St. Paul, Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” May he find us then as now with our hand firmly planted in His.

I want to leave you with the scripture that brings me the strength I need to keep on keeping on:  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”   Hebrews 12:1-2  (NLT)