The church began in 1938, in a storefront building with a few Godly women and their children.   At that time, the church had no official name, other than Church of God in Christ.  At its beginning, there was no Pastor. 

However, the women earnestly desired to have a Pastor to lead them.  They recognized that they needed a Pastor to instruct and teach them.

 

The women had few resources, but they put their limited funds together, and sent Mother Nellie Davis to the State Convocation, as their representative, to request that a Pastor be appointed to their mission in Monessen.

Elder O. T. Tillman was subsequently appointed Pastor.  As he was also the Pastor of Refuge Church of God in Christ, in Pittsburgh, he would most often send his Assistant Pastor, Elder Joseph E. Bass, Sr. minister to the saints in Monessen.  Elder Bass would catch a streetcar from Pittsburgh to Charleroi (28 miles) and walk across the bridge to Monessen (2 miles away).  Times were hard, and Elder Bass had a growing family.  Very often, he would not have the money for the fare to walk across the Charleroi bridge to Monessen.  The bridge attendant got to like him and know that he was a minister, so he would let him cross the bridge during the times he did not have the fare.

  

The women at the church would recount that they would go to the storefront church and eagerly wait in anticipation of Elder Bass’ arrival.  They knew they would be given an anointed Word.  Many times, he would arrive snow-covered and have to shake the snow off his coat.  Then he would conduct the service and preach the gospel of Sanctification and Holiness to these women and their families.  The members were inspired by him.

 

In May 1941, Elder Bass was appointed Pastor of the church by Bishop Ozro Thurston Jones, Sr., Overseer of the Pennsylvania Jurisdiction encompassing the greater Pittsburgh area and Philadelphia.  Elder Bass chose the church name “Gate of Heaven.”  He selected the name from the scripture in Genesis 28: 16, 17.  From that point the church was formally known as Gate of Heaven Church of God in Christ.

 

From the time Elder Bass was appointed, he consistently met the challenge and served in this God-ordained role with both fidelity and distinction.  His vision for ministry was large, and under his leadership, the church expanded and flourished.  On May 7, 1984, God blessed Gate of Heaven to purchase the building at 688 McKee Avenue. 

God truly met us in worship there.  On August 8, 1967, God blessed Gate of Heaven to purchase our current edifice at 644 Reed Avenue, in Monessen.  

 

One of the hallmarks of his ministry was a popular radio broadcast, called “The Light of the World Hour,” that reached Western Pennsylvania and the tri-state area. from 9:00 to 9:30 am every Sunday.  Many people were saved through his broadcast ministry.

 

Bishop Joseph E. Bass, Sr., served at Gate of Heaven for over 60 years.  He was a man of prayer.  After being called of God to preach the gospel, for 5 years, he gave himself over to fasting and prayer and studying God’s Word. 

He could quote the scriptures by chapter and verse without ever having to open a bible.  He prayed daily with his immediate family, and on behalf of his church family.  He frequently passed entire nights on his knees petitioning God for their needs.

 

Bishop Bass was a tireless worker who displayed enormous energy and dedication.  In addition, to his challenging pastoral responsibilities, he was employed full time for Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel.  Bishop Bass was an icon in the City of Monessen, he was known and respected by the community.

 

In 1962, he appointed his son, Elder William Curtiss Bass, Sr., to the office of Assistant Pastor of Gate of Heaven COGIC.  He was not a novice. Over the years, Elder William C. Bass, Sr., had faithfully worked his way up to a leadership position in the ministry.  He cleaned the church, served as an usher, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, led the Youth Department, and functioned as the worship leader.  He served as Assistant Pastor for over 35 years, faithfully implementing the vision of his Pastor.

 

In July 1997, God called Bishop Joseph E. Bass, Sr., from labor to reward.  He had accomplished well the work God had called him to do.

 

Elder William C. Bass, Sr., was elevated to Pastor of Gate of Heaven.  He has been instrumental in taking Gate of Heaven COGIC to new heights.  He also served as Administrative Assistant to Bishop James M. Foster, Prelate of Western Pennsylvania Jurisdiction for many years

 

In 2022, he honored the legacy of Bishop Joseph E. Bass, Sr., by spearheading the project in 2022 to have the Monessen City Council rename the street on which the church is located, to “Bishop Joseph E. Bass, Sr. Way.”

 

On November 12, 2022, with multiplied thousands in attendance and millions more livestreaming, Pastor William Curtiss Bass, Sr., was consecrated and installed as an Auxiliary Bishop in the Church of God in Christ. 

His Episcopal Consecration and Installation was held in conjunction with the 114th International Holy Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee.  In a separate ceremony, Bishop Bass was also inducted into the Church of God in Christ College of Bishops.  The Church of God in Christ has 12.5 million members.

 

God has blessed Gate of Heaven through the years.  We have a rich history.  The early pioneers of the church held on and believed God.  As we continue the great legacy, we know that we are standing on the shoulders of the great pioneers who came before us.