Stand with us as we Rebuild our Historical Worship Center!

As part of our cherished community, your support is invaluable. We humbly seek your partnership in this endeavor to build a new home for worship, community outreach, and spiritual growth. Your generous contribution will help us realize our vision of a facility that will serve as a beacon of hope and faith for generations to come.

*Video Narrative*

Slavery Era: Africa Road as a Place of Freedom

During the turbulent years of the 19th century, Ohio played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad, a vast network of secret routes and safe houses that helped enslaved African Americans escape the shackles of slavery. Ohio, bordered by the free state of Pennsylvania to the east and the slave states of Kentucky and Virginia to the south, became a lifeline for those fleeing bondage, serving as a key gateway to freedom in the North.

One of the most significant routes in Ohio passed through Galena, a small but determined village in Delaware County. Galena was not just a quiet rural community—it was a hub of abolitionist activity, where the local residents were fervently committed to the cause of ending slavery. Among the roads that wound through this area, one held a particularly poignant legacy: Africa Road. Named after the African American community that settled there, the road became home to many former slaves and descendants of those who had escaped through the Underground Railroad.

Africa Road was more than just a thoroughfare; it was a symbol of hope, resistance, and resilience. For the fugitives who sought refuge along its path, this road represented a lifeline. They found shelter in homes along the way, where local residents—motivated by their beliefs in human equality and the moral call to end slavery—provided food, rest, and a safe place to hide. The bravery of those who lived and traveled along Africa Road forged a vital link in the chain of freedom that extended northward toward Canada.

At the heart of this story stood a small but powerful church, nestled near Africa Road in Galena. The church was more than a place of worship; it was a beacon of freedom. The congregation, firmly rooted in Christian faith and a deep commitment to justice, played a critical role in the Underground Railroad. While services were held upstairs, the church’s basement was often a refuge for fugitive slaves. The faithful congregants took extraordinary risks, providing sanctuary to men and women escaping the horrors of slavery.

Church members disguised their activities with great care, knowing the severe consequences if their work was discovered. By day, they worshipped openly, and by night, they aided those in desperate need, ensuring they could continue their dangerous journey northward. The church became a well-known station on the Underground Railroad, its legacy of courage and compassion firmly etched into the history of the fight for freedom.

Through the courageous acts of these early Ohioans, Africa Road, the church, and the surrounding community helped shape the course of American history. Their sacrifices contributed to the abolitionist cause, standing as a powerful testament to the indomitable spirit of those who believed in a better, more just future for all.

Africa Road and the Church Today

The remarkable story of Africa Road and its church did not end with the abolition of slavery—it evolved, carrying forward its legacy of freedom into new forms. Decades after the end of slavery, the church building that once served as a place of refuge for fugitive slaves found new life as a place of refuge and spiritual renewal. Today, that same church is home to Winners Assembly, a congregation of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), a global denomination with its headquarters in Nigeria.

There is a prophetic resonance in this transformation: a church, once central to the escape of African Americans from physical slavery, now stands as a place of worship where spiritual freedom from sin is proclaimed. The fact that an African-founded church now occupies this historic landmark on Africa Road is more than a coincidence—it is a powerful and symbolic continuation of the road's legacy. The presence of RCCG, an African-led church, on a street called "Africa Road" in Ohio speaks to the profound connection between past and present, freedom and faith, history and prophecy.

Winners Assembly, part of this rich history, has embraced this prophetic identity. Since acquiring the church building several years ago, the congregation has transformed it into a thriving center for worship, community support, and spiritual growth. The church continues to embody the spirit of its Underground Railroad roots, serving as a beacon of hope, offering refuge—not from physical slavery, but from the spiritual burdens of life.

Today, the community of Winners Assembly is engaged in a new chapter of expansion, marked by faith and commitment. The fundraiser event you are part of today is a direct reflection of this divine journey. God has provided additional land to the church on which it can grow, expand, and continue to support the local community. The vision is not only to build upon the physical space but also to further Winners Assembly’s impact as a place of hope and transformation.

The story of Africa Road, the church, and the community of Galena is one of faith, freedom, and enduring resilience. As we stand on this historic land, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by those who came before and are inspired to carry forward their legacy of justice, freedom, and hope. The journey of Winners Assembly to this prophetic land is both unique and divine, and we are glad you are a part of this unfolding story.