Brief History

Ark of the Covenant Church of God By Faith Inc., (AOC) was founded in July 2000, by Pastor Nolan J. and Shelia Williams. The church was originally located at a small rented storefront at 183 Bloss Street in the City of Rochester. We began with a small group of members, including Pastor Nolan’s family along with three additional families. We continued to thrive and grow and remained at Bloss Street for over 7 years. In 2008, God blessed us with our current building here on Lorimer St where we have been able to continue our ministry and expand our congregation.

From its inception the mission of our church has been to build up the body of Christ through love while reaching out to individuals and families in need. Our intent is to provide a place of worship and fellowship, spiritual/pastoral counseling, meeting basic needs for food, clothing and shelter, as well as be a safe haven for younger members. AOC continues to go above and beyond the call to "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. (Luke 14:23)

Ark of the Covenant continues to grow steadily to reach out to families in the local neighborhood and surrounding areas. We welcome you to join us in responding to the call "Therefore said he unto them, the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest." Luke 10:2

Our Mission

To REACH, TEACH, and PREPARE members for the challenge of SOUL WINNING FOR CHRIST by:

1. Reconciling the lost (humankind) to Christ
2. Provoking humankind to love
3. Promoting wholeness in the body
4. Developing a bond of unity
5. Teaching reciprocal biblical learning
6. Expanding church growth
7. Yielding fruit

Until God's love dwells within us, we may never be able to express the fullness of the greater love...