There was a lot to celebrate on July 5 at Grace-Trinity United Community Church, 5200 Oxford Ave.
For the church, it was a celebration of 30 years in Northwood.
And for the Rev. Chandra S. Soans, Ph.D., the senior pastor, the day marked 50 years of being ordained along with his retirement.
The day featured a Holy Communion Service, followed by a retirement program that included speeches and congratulations for both the church and Pastor Soans.
The gathering ended with lunch.
Grace-Trinity opened in 1996 after the building was donated by Frankford Congregational Church.
Soans said the church started with $60 and a trust in God.
The first service was on Sunday, July 7, 1996, attended by 11 people.
Grace-Trinity has grown tremendously since then.
Church ministries founded by the longtime pastor in the last 30 years include Grace-Trinity Academy, Harcum College at Grace-Trinity Campus, Grace Neighborhood Academy, St. Stephen’s Day Care Center in Tacony, Bethany Academy in Lawncrest and Soans Christian Academy in Burholme.
Soans and his wife have two sons and two grandchildren.
The pastor thanked all who attended the service and retirement program, including some who traveled from India, England and across the United States.
Among those offering congratulations was the Rev. Paul Andell, longtime pastor at St. James Lutheran Church, a neighbor of Grace-Trinity.
Though he is retiring, Soans said he will be around to help as needed.
“May the Lord bless all of us and this institution as we go forward,” he said. ••
