Church History
Mt. moriah Apostolic Church
Humble Beginnings
From a dream given by the Lord, the late Evangelist Barbara Rose Yancy founded the Mount Moriah Apostolic Church on Sunday, March 15, 1981. Pastor Yancy began the church with eight adults and eight children. The church was originally located at 8 South Farragut Street, Philadelphia, PA (rental property). It was a small, one floor, one room storefront with a curtained off makeshift bathroom; with a capacity of approximately twenty-five persons. The original officers were Evg.Barbara Yancy, Deacon Lewis Yancy III, Sis. Cheryl Yancy, and Minister Raymond Yancy. Regular Sunday and weeknight services were established, along with an adult choir, The Voices of Praise.
Pastor Barbara Yancy
founder
By 1984, through unwavering faith and sacrifice, the saints of Mount Moriah had saved enough to purchase three buildings—paid in full. With hearts full of praise, they marched triumphantly into their new home at 5416-20 Woodland Avenue on August 1. The once-empty structure was transformed into a thriving hub of worship and community, complete with a sanctuary, classrooms, offices, and fellowship spaces—a true testament to what God can do through a determined people.
As the fire of ministry burned brighter, Pastor Barbara Yancy appointed Minister Raymond Yancy as assistant pastor in 1988. The church flourished, becoming a beacon in the community. The Summer Workshop program ignited a spiritual revival among the youth, birthing the church’s youth choir—anointed voices that grew into the powerhouse now known as the Ministry Choir. God was not only growing the church in number, but in spirit and impact.
As the ministry expanded and Pastor Yancy’s health declined, a divine transition began. In 1991, , she appointed her youngest son, Douglas Yancy—as co-pastor. Then, on March 22, 1994, the Lord called His servant home. Pastor Barbara Yancy, the trailblazer, the shepherd, the visionary, completed her assignment after 13 powerful years, leaving a legacy of faith, service, and unshakable love for God’s people.
Suffragan Bishop Douglas Yancy
second in succession
A few days later, Min. Douglas E. Yancy Sr. was elected pastor of Mount Moriah Apostolic Church. He was officially installed by Diocesan Bishop Ronald Young on July 3, 1994, received his ministerial license in 1995, and was ordained in 1996. In June 1999, he was appointed District Elder, and later consecrated Suffragan Bishop in 2010. Along the way, he earned his Master of Divinity in 2014, all while the favor of the Lord continued to rest upon him and the ministry.
Under Suffragan Bishop Yancy’s leadership, Mount Moriah experienced steady growth and expansion. The congregation raised funds under the motto “We’re Going to Build,” leading to the move into a new church and administrative building at 6840 Paschall Avenue in 2000. The ministry continued to flourish with new acquisitions, including vans, a bus, and a multi-purpose annex. Bishop Yancy established several impactful programs such as the Barbara Rose Yancy Scholarship Fund, a science and technology summer camp, and initiatives like Marriage Enrichment, Ministerial Training, and Community Day events.
Bishop Yancy was deeply devoted to God and the people of Mount Moriah, consistently leading by example through preaching, teaching, and love. His vision fostered a strong and gifted church community. In September 2020, he became ill, marking a challenging time for the church. Assistant Pastors Janice Hill, Ronald Hollis, and Lewis Yancy upheld the ministry through prayer and leadership. After faithfully serving as Co-pastor for 3 years and Pastor for 28 years, Bishop Yancy transitioned from labor to rest on February 4, 2022.
Elder Ronald Hollis, Jr
Eld. Hollis has hit the ground running and is inspiring Mt. Moriah to continue to build and go forward and higher in the Lord God has blessed Mount Moriah’s membership to be a close knit, family-oriented church. The saints have loved one another, worked together, cried together, and rejoiced together – the Lord Jesus continues to manifest His power in and among us and bind us together in love and harmony.
Many have come through the doors. They have received the Word, salvation, practical help, counseling, encouragement, and the grace of God’s love. We are grateful to the Lord for His daily remembrance of us and allowing us to be counted worthy to be part of His kingdom. We look forward to the Lord’s continued blessings as HE shifts us toward perfection for His good pleasure. We are 43 years young and going on in the name of the Lord and our leader Pastor Ronald Hollis Jr.
