The Early Years
In March, 1990, the Lord spoke to Johnny Wells and Joseph I. McRoy, Sr. to leave their churches and start a new church, Circle of Faith Ministries. On March 25, 1990, the Circle of Faith Ministries was officially started with nine members, Johnny & Marilyn Wells, Cheryl and Amanda Wells, Joseph & Linda McRoy, Sr., Joseph I. McRoy, Jr., Eric and Joshua McRoy. On April 2, 1990, the church was organized as a corporation with the State of Florida, with Joseph I. McRoy, Sr., President, Johnny Wells, Vice President, Linda McRoy, Secretary and Marilyn Wells, Treasurer.

The first service was held in the training room of the Rainbow Sales office at 5810 Macy Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida. One month later, the church was relocated in the Walter Williams Real Estate office on Merrill Road. In 1993, the church again relocated at 1432 Rogero Road.

In 1996, the Circle of Faith Ministries purchased building five from Mr. Hugh Smith, where we are currently located at 6360 Commerce Street. At the time of purchase, it was unknown to the Pastors and members the historical significance of the property. However, upon applying for rezoning and building permits, it was discovered that the property had been designated on February 7, 1994, as a city of Jacksonville Landmark. After many struggles, much prayer and a lot of hard work, the building was completely renovated, with the original foundation and frame still existing. On Sunday, September 19,1999, the church held its first service. Oh what a great joy filled our hearts!

Historical Landmark
Our current location was one of five (5) buildings constructed between 1900-1915, and was owned by Eagle Film Manufacturing Producing Company of Chicago. The site was known as Eagle Film City. Reflecting their original use as a film studio, all of the buildings were constructed in a simple frame vernacular style and functioned as film developing and processing facilities, indoor sound stage and bungalows for production crews and cast members.

In 1922, film producer-director-writer Richard E. Norman, Sr. and the Norman Film Manufacturing Company purchased this studio facility. Norman was one of the first independent movie producers to recognize the commercial potential of making black-cast movies specifically for the African-American community. The films produced by Norman stood alone in pointing to meaningful problems affecting America’s culture in rather an uneven contradiction to the Hollywood image of blacks which dominated American exhibition. The Norman Film Studios stood tall against the bigoted ghosts of the American Revolution. Committed to equality of racial achievement and aspiration, Norman’s eight feature films were great critical and commercial successes. Contrary to most movies made during the silent screen era, Norman’s eight feature films were one of the first to show African-Americans in a positive light. Between 1920 and 1928, Norman produced eight feature films featuring an all black cast. After 1922, most of these movies were shot on location in Jacksonville and included many Arlington residents as extras. All of the post production work was done at the Arlington studios. These African-American films made by Norman at the old Eagle Film City studios have national significance in documenting the important but little known contributions of blacks to American film history. Unfortunately, only one of Norman’s film is known to exist. After Norman retired in 1952, his wife Gloria continued to use the facility (our building) as a dance studio where she instructed classes in ballet, acrobatics, tap and ball room dancing until 1975. The properties were later sold to Mr. Hugh Smith and Mr. James E. Holland.

From Then To The Present and Beyond
Then in 2002, the church agreed to purchase additional land located behind the current sanctuary. Since purchasing the property, various church functions have been held outside including, Fall Festival, Outdoor Concert and Tent Service, etc.God has continued to bless Circle of Faith and we give him all the praise, glory and honor.

God is still blessing the ministry as He continues to enlarge our borders. In December, 2005 God proved His Word to us once again “that a faithful man shall abound with blessings”. The Circle of Faith Ministries purchased two new buildings from the Arlington Presbyterian Church which is located adjacent to our current church. Truly God is expanding our borders. Our goal for the future is to build a larger sanctuary to include a social hall, offices and classrooms.

Since starting the ministry, we have witnessed the salvation of many souls coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, bodies healed, lives changed and multitudes of blessings poured out upon the people of God. As we continue to move forward in this ministry, we hold fast to our theme, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”  We recently finished renovating one our buildings that will be used as a multi-purpose center to be a blessing to our church as well as the community.

God is a good God and we know that “without him we can do nothing”. We must hold on to God’s unchanging hands, knowing that he promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us, but he will be with us always, even until the end of the world.

Directions to the church