LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Bishop William L. Bonner,
former pastor of the Greater Refuge Temple in Harlem, New York City, and
noted spiritual leader

WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow that this Legislative Body, repres-
enting the people of the State of New York, is moved this day to pay
tribute to a preeminent spiritual leader of indomitable faith and dedi-
cation whose purposeful life and accomplishments will forever stand as a
paradigm and inspiration for others; and
WHEREAS, Beloved pastor of the renowned Greater Refuge Temple Church
in Harlem and Chief Apostle of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Bishop William L.
Bonner died at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, Born on November 12, 1921, in Bolden County, Georgia, to
Emmett and Janie Bonner, Bishop William L. Bonner's ministry began in
the 1940s under the tutelage of the late Bishop Robert C. Lawson, found-
er of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith; his
first pastorate was the Green Avenue Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in
Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, In 1944, Bishop William L. Bonner was sent to Detroit to
pastor the First Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ; previously a store
front, today, it is a 2,500 seat edifice known as Solomon's Temple; and
WHEREAS, In 1961, upon the death of Bishop Lawson, Bishop William L
Bonner became the pastor of the 3,000 member mother church, the Greater
Refuge Temple in Harlem, New York City; and
WHEREAS, Upon his arrival, Bishop William L. Bonner immediately set
about the remodeling of the Mother Church and headquarters of the Church
of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Refuge Temple; he undertook the Herculean
effort of serving in the role of general contractor in order to renovate
the edifice that is now known as the Greater Temple today; this ultra-
modern edifice has changed the face of Harlem's historic 7th Avenue, and
is one of the most modern structures in the community; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the Great Refuge Temple, Bishop William L.
Bonner's passion for souls and youth led him to create a multi-million
dollar youth center known as the R.C. Lawson Building located in Harlem;
his desire and vision to build and create establishments which would
benefit the people of his community continued well into his later years;
and
WHEREAS, Heralded as a spiritual giant by his contemporaries, Bishop
William L. Bonner has simultaneously pastored churches in Detroit,
Michigan, New York City, Washington, D.C., Jackson, Mississippi, and
Columbia, South Carolina; as the spiritual overseer of more than 700
churches worldwide on three continents, Pastor Bonner stands today as
one of the greatest ministers of all time; and
WHEREAS, Bishop William L. Bonner was also the Chief Apostle and
Senior Prelate of the General Assembly of the Churches of Our Lord Jesus
Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc., an international body of churches;
under his luminous administration, the assembly grew from 155 churches
in 1961, to over 500 churches and missions throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, Bishop William L. Bonner received his religious education and
a Doctor of Divinity degree through the Church of Christ Bible Institute
in New York City; in 1985, he was listed in WHO'S WHO IN RELIGION; and
WHEREAS, In December of 1989, Bishop William L. Bonner founded the
Refuge Temple of Washington, D.C.; its first services were held at the
Days Inn, and in February 1990, Kelly Miller Junior High School became
the church's final temporary home; in three weeks, Pastor Bonner
acquired new land for the church, and its groundbreaking service was
held in October of 1990; and

WHEREAS, In July of 1993, Bishop William L. Bonner initiated the
Refuge Temple of Columbia, South Carolina; it was organized with only 22
members, and within three years, the congregation grew to 700; Pastor
Bonner's ministry in Columbia also consists of the Family Life Center,
Retirement Community, and the W.L. Bonner Bible College; and
WHEREAS, For over 50 years, many across the country and even foreign
lands have testified of the great miracles of healing, deliverance, and
breakthrough under the powerful preaching and teaching of Bishop William
L. Bonner; millions also experienced his evangelistic ministry via "The
Hour of Truth" broadcast which aired on nationally syndicated television
outlets such as BET, and The Word Network, as well as radio stations,
and via live stream; and
WHEREAS, Bishop William L. Bonner's legacy will live forever, not only
in the many, many lives he touched, but in the good works he has left
behind; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his wife, Mother Ethel Mae Bonner, and daugh-
ter Ethel Mae Bonner Archer, Bishop William L. Bonner is survived by his
son, William Lee Bonner, Jr., and his grandchildren, as well as many
nieces, nephews, family, friends, and co-laborers worldwide; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to celebrate the
life of this esteemed religious leader who accepted the responsibilities
of moral leadership and who dedicated his life to serving others; he
will truly be missed by many; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Bishop William L. Bonner, former pastor of the Great-
er Refuge Temple in Harlem, New York City, and noted spiritual leader,
as well as rejoice in his life, noting his unremitting and compassionate
faith in his service to God, man and his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Bishop William L. Bonner.