OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The Ultimate purpose of the Morningside Church of God in Christ is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and nurturing the entire body of Christ; to fulfill the will of God for our personal lives through obedience to the principles of God’s Word and administration of the spiritual gifts. More specifically it is proposed that through committed leadership, we may effectively minister and bring wholeness to people of all nations, color, and life situations, that they might find a haven of rest.

A Brief History of the Morningside Church of God in Christ

The Morningside Church of God in Christ was founded in 1929 by the late Elder Walter R. Shields and Evangelist Beulah Shields and family at Mollenaur, PA; now Bethel Park. After moving into the city of Pittsburgh in 1943, Elder Shields continued his ministryin a storefront on Webster Avenue in the Hill District. After the resignation of Elder O.T. Tillman, Bishop G.E. Vaughn appointed Elder Walter R. Shields to pastor the Morningside Church of God in Christ, where he combined the membership. In 1952, Elder Shields and congregation purchased the property at 5173 Dearborn Street. As the church continued to prosper, the building was redesigned by Elder Shields’ youngest son, Elder Lamont B. Shields into a beautiful edifice.

After the homegoing of Pastor Walter Shields in 1980, Bishop G. E. Vaughn appointed his grandson, Elder Vaughn E. Shropshire as pastor. As the ministry continued to grow, Elder Shropshire was led of the Lord to build the present structure leaving one wall of the original structure. After the homegoing of Pastor Vaughn Shropshire, Bishop Vaughn appointed Dr. Willa M. Johnson, the eldest child of Elder Walter Shields and the mother of Elder Vaughn Shropshire, to pastor the Morningside COGIC. Under her leadership, the church grew in grace, membership and knowledge of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In 2001, the church, under the leadership of Dr. Johnson, was blessed to pay off a $700,000.00 mortgage in seven years, as well as purchase a parking lot, a van and a church house.

In the year of 2004, Dr. Johnson was led of the Lord that her service as leadership of the Morningside Church of God in Christ was accomplished. The officers and members were thankful to God for the appointment of the youngest son of the late founder, Elder Walter R. Shields and Mother Beulah Shields to the sacred office of pastor of the Morningside Church of God in Christ. Elder Lamont B. Shields was appointed and installed by our Bishop James M. Foster, Jurisdictional Prelate of W.PA Churches of God in Christ and affirmed by the entire church body on July 11, 2004. 

The mantle of his father, Elder Walter R. Shields has truly been bestowed on him naturally and spiritually. A fresh anointing has overshadowed the church and God has taken it to a higher level of worship and ministry. The pastor, like Paul, continues preaching messages on the Kingdom of God as well as those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Pastor, his wife and family, along with the ministers, officers and the entire church membership, ask for continued fellowship and prayers in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for the Glory of God.

The Pastor, his wife and family, along with the ministers, officers and the entire church membership, ask for continued fellowship and prayers in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for the Glory of God.