Our Story
How it all started...
Church History
Freedom Christian Bible Fellowship, originally known as “Freedom Baptist Church”, was founded in February of 1973 in the home of George and Pauline Patterson with 11 members. Later that same year, the congregation purchased a building at 4500 Westminster Avenue.
Rev. Gilbert Coleman, Jr. was invited to preach and after some time was installed as pastor of the Freedom Baptist Church on November 4, 1984. A change came when the Lord began to lead and instruct the Pastor Gilbert Coleman, Jr. to separate from the Baptist reformation to become a non-denominational church, officially renaming the church: Freedom Christian Bible Fellowship on October 15, 1989.
Throughout the ensuing years, the church membership would grow exponentially, which prompted the church to move their services to the E. Spencer Miller School and increased to two services on Sundays. Freedom then moved to a space on the top floor of 5070 Parkside Avenue in the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center, and finally purchasing the church building, located at 6100 W. Columbia Avenue, which is our current home.
On January 17, 2016, Rashiid K. Coleman was officially installed as pastor of Freedom Christian Bible Fellowship, and Apostle Gilbert Coleman, Jr. became the overseer. Since that time, “Pastor Rashiid”, as he is affectionately called, has dedicated his life to serving through preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God and building the church (the people of God) and advancing the vision and mission of the church. Freedom continues to focus on making a notable impact on their community and in the lives of the parishioners that call Freedom home.
Freedom Christian Bible Fellowship, originally known as “Freedom Baptist Church”, was founded in February of 1973 in the home of George and Pauline Patterson with 11 members. Later that same year, the congregation purchased a building at 4500 Westminster Avenue.
Rev. Gilbert Coleman, Jr. was invited to preach and after some time was installed as pastor of the Freedom Baptist Church on November 4, 1984. A change came when the Lord began to lead and instruct the Pastor Gilbert Coleman, Jr. to separate from the Baptist reformation to become a non-denominational church, officially renaming the church: Freedom Christian Bible Fellowship on October 15, 1989.
Throughout the ensuing years, the church membership would grow exponentially, which prompted the church to move their services to the E. Spencer Miller School and increased to two services on Sundays. Freedom then moved to a space on the top floor of 5070 Parkside Avenue in the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center, and finally purchasing the church building, located at 6100 W. Columbia Avenue, which is our current home.
On January 17, 2016, Rashiid K. Coleman was officially installed as pastor of Freedom Christian Bible Fellowship, and Apostle Gilbert Coleman, Jr. became the overseer. Since that time, “Pastor Rashiid”, as he is affectionately called, has dedicated his life to serving through preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God and building the church (the people of God) and advancing the vision and mission of the church. Freedom continues to focus on making a notable impact on their community and in the lives of the parishioners that call Freedom home.
Expanding the vision...
Under the leadership of Senior Pastor Rashid K. Coleman and his wife Shelia Coleman........