The church did not start by accident it was the motivation that Mr. Frederick Adesuyi and his family got to worship the Lord that inspired him to travel from Rhode-Island to New-York City often to worship at Cherubim and Seraphim Church in New-York where he met so many elders and when the Lord blessed the Family of Adesuyi with a baby girl one of the church elder Prophet Abraham Fashakin was invited to perform the naming ceremony and the turnout of Nigerian population at the naming ceremony of Olubunmi Adesuyi in March 1985 gave birth to Universal Cherubim and Seraphim Church and worship services was held in the living room of Evangelist Frederick Adesuyi at 17 Woodman Street Providence RI. The Church later moved to the basement of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Odugbela’s family at 83 Carr St Providence but after a while at the basement the era of Universal Cherubim and Seraphim came to an end and Love Divine Church came to an existence and incorporated in 1990. Here we are today, glory and honor to our God.
By the late 1990s, the basement hall had become too small to accommodate the congregation. The church relocated to 57 Blundell Street, Providence RI. Steady growth later required the church to begin building its first sanctuary in 1994. An old Turkish bath house located at 28 Candace Street Providence was purchased. The congregation volunteered their time every Saturday for demolition process and 85% of the demolition was completed by the congregation both young and old participated without outside labor or contract labor and a brand new two-story building was built to meet the needs of an expanding church in this great community in Providence Rhode-Island “Praise God”.
In every successful organization, there are strong advisors like late Bishop Gabriel Fakeye and others that helped to lay its solid foundation. A group of elders held the first worship with a prayer and vision that resulted in the genesis of “Love Divine Church”. We refer to these faithful individuals as the beginners of this church. We will always appreciate our mentors: Bishop Gabriel O. Fakeye, Prophet Samuel O. Ajibola, Leader Gabriel O. Kassim, Mother Adeline Orepo, late Prophet Michael Osilesi and late Father Roy C. Lowo. Moreover these are the following foundation members at present: Family of Sola Bamisile, Family of Bayo Bamisile, Family of Gabriel Odukoya, Family of Bayo Odukoya, Family of Mother Hellen Oladini, Family of Kayode Odunlami, Family of Bimbola Mayowa, Family of Mother Tayi Adediran. Family of Mother Bisi Lowo, Family of Johnson Akinnadge, and Family of Jerome Ogundolani.
Our first and only Leader-in-Charge Evangelist Frederick A. Adesuyi was unanimously nominated to lead the Church in 1990. Pastor Adesuyi has provided spiritual guidance to the congregation for 25 years without blemish or backsliding in upholding our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Mother Olayemi Mayowa has been our church Matron since 1990 as well. She has been a mother figure and has always worked towards the growth and progress of the women of this congregation. She is a role model to us all as she is caring and steadfast in faith. Many names were submitted for the position of the Deputy Leader and with the help of late Prophet G. O Fakeye who conducted a powerful spiritual prayer with elders, the Lord nominated Elder Tunde Badru to become the first Deputy Leader (the position is now known as Associate Pastor).
The church has continued to make progress because of our commitment and faith to our lord Jesus Christ; the church did not allow rivalries to manifest amongst us. Everyone was given the opportunity to serve in their capacity and all spiritual gifts received were put to use according to the scriptures in the book of 1 Corinthian 12. Elder Babatunde Aderonmu, an energetic member of the C & S Movement Church from Italy was the first General Secretary and he came up with the name “Love Divine Church”. Elder Olatunde Sulaimon was chosen as the assistant secretary. Other church officers were: Treasurer-Elder Joshua Odugbela, Financial Secretary- Elder TJ Kuforiji, Auditor- Mother Lanre Adeniyi, Social and Welfare officer Mother Lara Okunfolami and Head of Children’s activities was Late Elder Dele Abisola subsequenty Elder Mcwale Okunfolami stepped in as youth coordinator. The Sunday school program for both young and adult members was created in the mid 1990s and the first Sunday school teacher was Elder Charles
Taiwo, and the little angels’ mother, “Iya Ewe” was Mother Celina Olawoye. Also, our first band captains were Catherine Salu (Esther Band), Victoria Adeniyi (Mary Band), Sola Bamishile (fogo Band) and Tj Kuforiji (Soldier of Christ).
The church also has been blessed with lots of instrumentalists from all nations. The Church gives thanks to God for the family of elder Tunde Badru who was elected to be the first choir master. The choir worked relentlessly and produced church first CD titled “Ikilo Alore” in June 1992.
Today the babies and young children of the 90s are now leaders of business establishments, medical doctors, engineers, business professionals, accountants, public speakers, educators, physical therapists, nurses, parents and many more. The church now serves as the headquarters of the Ocean District USA under the chairmanship of our senior pastor Special Apostle Frederick Adesuyi Jp. Since the establishment of the church in 1990, the congregation has been growing in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). The church now seeks to expand further and open new locations in various places such as Woonsocket RI, Fall River MA, Brockton MA, and Boston MA etc. We give praise to God alone for what He has done, and we look forward to all that He will do in the days ahead.