In the year of 1979 a small group of saints, being inspired by God, were moved to fast and pray, out of the need for a closer walk with God. The prayer and cries of God’s people began to move Him on the throne. As they prayed, they could hear God saying, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and tum from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God blessed this prayer group organized by Sister Jacqueline Foye. 

God also began to meet the needs of His people as they repented. Yokes were broken and many were healed both in body and spirit. God blessed as challenges began to mount, they had an assurance that Christ would not fail them and, “no weapon formed against them shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against them in judgment God shall condemn.

 This is the heritage of the servants of Lord and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. They were under definite direction of God, being told when, where, and how to move.

 Jeremiah 3:15, “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall freed you with knowledge and understanding. “Acts 20:28,” Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” God fulfilled these scriptures when He anointed, and then placed Sister Jacqueline Foye over this prayer group as Pastor establishing the Apostolic House of Prayer. 

Sunday, November 11, 1979, the first service was held in the home of Evangelist Maryland Kelly at 211 Walden Avenue. The number was small, but the Spirit of God was great! “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them, saith the Lord.” Services were then moved to 396 Wyoming Avenue in the home of Pastor and Deacon James Foye, Jr. Even in our infancy, God blessed us with a choir, of Holy Ghost filled young people. Sister Valerie Foye was asked by the pastor to train this  group. Many were blessed and received the gospel message in song.

 Membership began to grow. The Foyes’ living room was not large enough to accommodate the people God sent. Backsliders returned to God and families were reunited. They began to seek God more fervently for a place to worship. Deacon James Foye started looking for buildings which could be converted into a church edifice.

 Knowing this endeavor the Late Sister Pearl Martin called the Pastor informing her of the availability of 1482 North Fillmore Avenue the property then belonging to Brother and Sister Charles Fields, Jr. The spirit of the Lord began to reveal every architectural detail to the Deacon that could only come from the Master Builder Himself. As the church began to materialize the Saints began to organize themselves with the task of cleaning the debris. Being full of excitement and expectation, the members of the Apostolic House of Prayer embraced their God-given building; Holding their first service at twelve noon, Sunday, February 10, 1980, “For without a vision the people perish …

 ” The Lord blessed with Deacons, Missionaries and Mothers, supplying everything we needed. The Saints purchased a Hammond organ, a Baby Grand piano, and a set of Tama drums, all to enhance and enrich the service of God. Sister Judith Brown was the first person to be baptized in Jesus’ Name and filled with the Holy Ghost in our new church. 

In the year 1993 the church celebrated with a processional crossing the street from their humble building at 1482 North Fillmore Avenue to 1455-1465 North Fillmore, the site of their present edifice. Overseer Jacqueline A. Foye had become the First African American Female in Western New York to erect a building from the ground. In 2004 the honor was bestowed upon her renaming Woodlawn Avenue to “Pastor Jacqueline Foye Way”. Having gone through much toil, labor and buffeting, God’s blessing is overwhelming! 

The vision has not diminished in intensity but has continually grown. As a extension of our social outreach ministry the property at 1453 North Fillmore Avenue was purchased to be housed what will be designated for computer training, technical and educational development within the community. 

Because of commuting challenges for the saints residing outside of Erie County, in the fall of 1993, Overseer Jacqueline A. Foye built a second edifice in Dunkirk, New York, The Apostolic House of Prayer II. The ministry serves a culturally diverse community and offer sincere worship in an intimate setting, to the residence of Chautauqua County.

 The Pastor has heard from the Lord, His command, “Take heed now, for I have chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary, be strong and do it”. We believe as it is written, “Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, neither has entered into the hearts of men the things which God has prepared for them that love Him”.