In the year 1924, from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Street,  a small group met to pray. From this humble beginning in 1925 Bishop Roberts who was affiliated with the Church of God in Christ helped to establish Maywood’s first Church of God in Christ.  The church's first Pastor Elder W.J. Greenlee was appointed in 1927.
 
Mother Linner Grace who was a convert under Sr. Bishop C.H. Mason proved to be a great pillar of the church, whenever the church was without heat, she would pull coal and wood from her home in a small wagon.

 In 1941 Elder James B. Alford, became pastor.  Many knew the hardships an obstacle of pastoring Maywood’s church. Pastor James Alford was given 90 days or less to stay.  It was the consensus that he would be too discouraged to stay. It was a definite plan of Pastor James Alford to leave with his wife Sister Minnie Alford and family to stay after the 90-day period.  God intervened and renewed his strength. Sometimes when he would be delivering a message of encouragement to the members, his burdens would be so heavy he would shed a tear. For many years he could always count on his faithful three members, Dec. Grant Wright, Mother Linner Grace and Sister Elizabeth Boyd.  Pastor Alford spent many days fasting and praying.  After one of his 21 day fasts, God put a revival on his heart and more souls were saved.  There were many happy days when God begun to add to the membership.

Under the leadership of Pastor James B. Alford, the church was incorporated in 1947. God gave him a vision of ‘progress” therefore the church name became Progressive Church of God in Christ. 

God put a 28 day fast on Pastor James Alford’s heart from which another revival was called. God gave Sister Betty Sheard a desire for a better place to worship.  Mother E. M. Vann completed the task. A part of Mother Linner Grace's testimony was”Chillun, I’m glad all in a glad” that is how we felt as we marched April1, 1962 from 640 S. 13th to 431 S. 13th Avenue in Maywood. Singing “Onward Christian Soldiers” like a mighty army, moved to the Church of God.

Progressive grew to be a loving family church. Members called Pastor James and Sister Minnie Alford, Papa and Mom Alford.  They worked untiringly with the help of the Lord to make Progressive the church it became. Papa Alford was a preacher and teacher in his own right, many people came to the Lord under his pastoralship.

On August 28, 1983, at 4:53am Papa Alford's work was completed and God called him home.  God did not leave us during this difficult time.  God in His infinite wisdom and spiritual insight had a plan and a way already made. Papa Alford’s youngest son like Joseph was anointed.

On September 4, 1983, Elder Donald L. Alford was installed interim pastor of “Progressive Church of God in Christ.” Officially anointed pastor October 30, 1983 at 4:53 pm. 

Knowing the foundation of prayer and fasting on which the church was built, Pastor Donald Alford continued on that same path with shut-ins and revivals, while introducing new ideas for the 20th and 21st century ministry.

God spoke to Pastor Donald Alford, concerning the role Progressive would play in kingdom building.  In 1989, Progressive Ministries was established, and the church withdrew from the organization of the Church of God in Christ. Pastor continued to bathe the church in prayer and fasting to get directions for his church. In January, 1990 God spoke and told him to rename the church “Progressive Life-Giving Word Cathedral” from (John 6:63”…for the word I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

 God had given him a vision of a worldwide outreach ministry, open 24 hours to meet the needs of the hurting. With evangelistic outreach programs shall as the God Squad, the Jesus Rally, 17 Days of Manifested Power, “Heaven Gates and Hell’s Flames, Light in the night, the Seven Last Words of Jesus a play that was written by Pastor Donald Alford, The Joshua Gathering just to name a few. Our weekly broadcast drew many people to the church.

The outreach ministry expanded into television going from Maywood’s cable access channel to TV-38(WCFC) and (WJYS-TV). 

 The church grew, a balcony was added. The church grew, two services was added.  The church grew; we went to Proviso East HS, with broadcast service every Sunday night at Progressive’s Church.

Pastor Alford along with his wife, Pastor Gloria Alford implemented many successful ministries within our local assembly. PCLEP (Progressive Christian life Enhancement Program) now know as JBA also ministries for the singles, the married couples and the youth.

In June, 1995, Pastor Donald Alford formally accepted his promotion from God to the office of Apostle.  Recognizing his responsibility to the body of Christ, Apostle moved to restructure  the ministry. He appointed Elder DeAndre Patterson as his Assistant Pastor. The church had its first female elders. The Ruling Elders Council (later known as the Governing Elders) was established to help discern and judge doctrinal truths.

Keeping true to global outreach, the church in 1997, sponsored one of their own, Evangelist Lorraine Grace, to travel to Africa for missionary work.

Following the vision of world outreach, Progressive’s Internet Ministry was birthed in 1998.

Even while active in global ministry, Apostle Alford and staff continued to seek an area large enough to house the 1,000-plus membership and the facilities needed to fulfill the vision of world outreach. Worship continued at Proviso East HS, traveling when necessary to Holiday Inn Hillside, Maywood’s Joyeaux Community Center and even to Winfield Scott Park.
The members stayed faithful throughout, patiently waiting for the place God had prepared for them. Late in 1998, the Village of Maywood decided to sell the Joyaux  Community Center.  Progressive entered into the bidding, hoping to buy and remodel it as a sanctuary.  God blessed the negotiations and enable the ministry to purchase the building and the land for $60,000. There was great celebration at the 1998 watch meeting service, with everyone looking forward to 1999 as “the year God was going to bless Progressive”.  But no one was ready for the way God was about to move.

The beginning of January 1999, brought a record snowfall.

Anticipating the January12 closing date, Church Administrator Pastor Willie Dukes secured property insurance on January 11.  The building’s sale was finalized on schedule, but on January 13, the roof collapsed.  Church members came together to pray on the site, not understanding why this happened but thanking God service was not scheduled at the time of the collapse.  Knowing that all things work together for the good encouraged Apostle Alford and Progressive to stand and see the salvation of the Lord.

Over the next few months, plans were made to demolish the remaining structure and build a new edifice on the site. But God had other plans. He orchestrated a financial windfall of over $700,000 insurance settlement toward a land He had prepared for His people.

In April 2001, word came that the Loew’s Theatre at 4500 Frontage Road in Hillside was for sale.  The six-acre property would meet the ministry’s needs. So negotiations was enter into.  God gave Apostle Allford the assurance that the land was his, and the ministry persevered through seeming rejection, holding on to the promises of God.  Though man said no on September 11, 2001 the Turn of History, God said YES!  On July 7, 2002, Progessive went in and prossessed the land.

A horse and carriage led a motorcade of over 300 vehicles from Proviso East HS, the church’s Sunday morning worship center for over nine years.  The victory parade spanned three townships and took over an hour to reach the ministry’s new home.

Progressive continues to prepare for the “end-time” harvest by tailoring the ministry to the needs of the people.

As God gives grace, Apostle Donald L. Alford and Pastor Gloria along with the Progressive Family will continue the legacy that “Papa” left, to be a Soul-Saving Station for Sin-Sick Souls.  A ministry birthed in prayer, dedicated and determined to “Love You To Lfe.” For We Are The Love Capital of the World!