About Us
HISTORY OF GREATER BIBLE WAY TEMPLE, INC
Bishop Peterson’s ministry began on the streets of South and West Philadelphia in 1956, accompanied by his wife Mother Estella Peterson along with two of their sons. In 1958, the first mission was opened at 834 Bainbridge Street, In South Philadelphia. One year later, first church was purchased at 754 –56 South 3rd Street (former Jewish Synagogue). Many families and individuals join the ministry, some of which are still a part of this ministry today. Homes were purchased for the saints.
Years later, in 1971, as the congregation grew a former movie theater was acquired at 5949-51 Spruce Street as the new home of Bible Way Church. The blessings were bountiful and the congregation continued to grow. Then, on May 5, 1984, the mortgage settlement was made for six properties located at 52nd & Media Street, Philadelphia, PA (former St. Gregory’s Complex), which the saints would call home. The Lord provided GBT Family with a beautiful place of worship, two residential facilities, a single-family dwelling, a two-story school building, dual garage unit and large parking lot. In 1989, the church was blessed to expand its ministry and purchase a church property in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In 1991, the Former Mayor W. Wilson Goode along with Chief Apostle Smallwood E. Williams re-named the former Media Street – Bible Way Street and the final mortgage was paid off for the Philadelphia complex.
In 1994, Bishop Benjamin F. Peterson, Jr. was installed as the 2nd Pastor of the Greater Bible Way Temple. Under the leadership of Bishop Peterson, Jr., programs for the community was established and complex extended. In September 2000, Bishop Peterson, Sr., was called from labor to reward. From the year 2002 until present Bishop Peterson, Jr., along with the members of Bible Way have worked to beautify the complex 52nd Street. Under the leadership of Bishop Peterson, Jr., renovations of the school building and community enter was completed, alleyway was constructed to “The Atrium” including facilities for banquets, dining and conferences. The Garden area of the Community Center and Residential area was constructed to “The View” and we are in the process of building the Founders’ Sports Complex. In December 2006, Shepherd Mother Estella Peterson was called from labor to reward. The vision continues and we continue to celebrate a glorious past and victorious future.