ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH OF CORONA
103-02 Northern Boulevard, Corona, New York 11368
Service hours: Every Sunday at 9:45 a.m. English only service.
Contact: Sharon Zigler, administrative assistant, at 718-476-9055
SPIRITUAL LEADER: Reverend Doctor Marvin J. Bentley, senior pastor, has been the spiritual leader of the church for 30 years and Patricia Haggler is the assistant pastor. “I have a doctor in ministry from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey and Patricia Haggler, a Ph.D. from New York University,” said Bentley. “So we strongly promote education.”
LOCATION YEARS: “In its current location, we have been here for 19 years,” Bentley said.
CONGREGATION SIZE: “Numerically there are about 600 members,” said Bentley. “We are predominantly an African-American congregation, but we have Caribbean members and a few Latino members too.” Bentley added, “We are certainly open to all who share our religious beliefs.” The church also has provided educational services where “we teach classes on religion and history and promote a lot of education, held predominantly at night and weekend – open to everyone,” Bentley said.
CONGREGATION UNIQUENESS: “The fact that the building is designed for accessibility, in terms of being open to the community, and that we have been in existence for 75 years,” said Bentley. “The uniqueness of the church is that we have been a church to reach out to the community and make what we offer appealing to those people who come.” The church has a credit-debt liquidation ministry where “we have liquidated credit card debt of over $150,000 for over 20 families in our church,” Bentley said. “We have always been a congregation for advocating for the voice of the people and have made noise for the issues that concern us.”
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF SERVICE: “This past Easter Sunday, we burned our mortgage, celebrated 75 years and got new stain glass,” said Bentley. “Occupying and renovating the window, the burning of the mortgage and having 75 years which the church has been in existence in corporation – all happening at the same time is a crowning achievement.” Bentley commented, “The building which was a bank in the past to now becoming a church where we provide spiritual, leadership, and educational opportunities means that we are doing what is our mandate from God, to provide for those in need and guidance for those who need it.”
LARGEST TURNOUT: “The largest service probably was from when we first occupied the building,” said Bentley. “We had three services at 7:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m., and 3 p.m. that opened up the building and then last Sunday was also notable, because we went back to two services celebrating the burning of the mortgage and Easter Sunday, but now we go back to the 9:45 a.m. service.”
WORDS OF INSPIRATION: “Considering events going on abroad, with the dictator falling, Facebook, and all other web site communications, technology that we have been blessed with, if we can use these resources that God has given us to call people together, I think that with bin Laden’s death, people have been ecstatic and there was that spirit of unity that happened on 9-11,” said Bentley. “If we can take these events and tragedies that have devastated the world, from Japan, Haiti, Chile; if we can just see what is going on that is calling all people from all race, creed, and denomination, we can work together to be what we are designed to be – human being.”
MOST POPULAR GATHERING SPOT: “Each Sunday, we have a before service gathering, where we have breakfast, where people can come and talk,” said Bentley. “During the week, there is always an opportunity for fellowship and to break bread, as we have designed our church to have a network of community, where needs are being met.”
UPCOMING EVENT: “This week is our family week, promoting the house, the spiritual, physical, education, family house of God,” said Bentley. “A number of classes and workshops are being provided and Thursday is game night, where members can break bread.” – Gaudys Sanclemente
