One of Aurora's oldest Black churches celebrates 80th anniversary

Posted April 16, 2024 10:02 pm

By Clayton Muhammad, City of Aurora

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, left, celebrates the 80th anniversary of Greater Mount Olive Church of God in Christ by proclaiming the month of April in the church’s honor. He presents the proclamation to First Lady Dorothy Bonner Jones (and daughter of church founder Bishop William Bonner, whose photo is on the wall) and Senior Pastor Gregory Jones. Courtesy of City of Aurora

The energy was palpable on this first Sunday at Aurora’s Greater Mount Olive Church of God in Christ.

Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin joined Pastor Gregory Jones and the congregation to celebrate the church’s 80th anniversary.

Founded on April 2, 1944, by Bishop William Bonner on Aurora’s eastside, Greater Mount Olive Church of God in Christ has been pivotal in the city’s Black community for eight decades, helping to guide it through the Civil Rights era into modern times.

Bonner served as senior pastor for 72 years until he passed away in 2016, a few days shy of his 95th birthday. He was also an advisor to Aurora mayors for seven decades.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irwin speaks at the “80 Years of Legacy Celebration Service” on Sunday, April 7, at Greater Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ in Aurora. Courtesy of City of Aurora

In honor of the occasion, Mayor Irvin proclaimed the month April as Greater Mount Olive Church Month in Aurora.

Worship is at 11 a.m. Sundays with Sunday school small groups at 9:30 a.m. The church is located at 1039 Bonner Ave. on Aurora’s east side.

The street outside Greater Mount Olive Church of God in Christ was named Bonner Street in honor of Bishop Bonner. A nearby park is also named after Bonner who served the church for over seven decades. Courtesy of City of Aurora

Learn more about the church at www.gmocogic.org or facebook.com/gmocogic/.

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