At the Church of Restoration, we’re not a perfect church, but we serve a perfect God. Our community is made up of real people on real journeys, striving together to grow in faith and reflect God’s love. Through worship, fellowship, and acts of compassion, we embrace the beauty of restoration—messy, yet transformative—and invite you to join us as we live out God’s grace and share His hope with the world.
Living Grace
Sharing Hope
Our Faith Foundation
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction. It has God as its author, salvation as its purpose, and truth without error as its foundation. The Bible reveals the principles by which God will judge humanity and will remain authoritative until the end of time.
We believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We affirm that Jesus is Savior, Lord, Christ, and the incarnate reality of God.
We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, united by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel. This congregation observes the ordinances of Christ, is governed by His laws, and exercises the gifts, rights, and privileges bestowed by His Word.
The COR seeks to be a faithful voice of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We value excellence in the worship of God and are committed to bearing witness to the Gospel of our Lord and Savior.
Our Core Values
The pillars of
how we operate
Mission Statement
Restoring People to God, People to People, and Grace to the World.
Our mission is to guide individuals back to God, strengthen relationships between people, and share God’s grace through acts of love and service, reflecting His transformative power in the world.
Vision Statement
Leading People to the Place God Ordained for His People.
We envision a community where everyone discovers their God-given purpose, grows in faith, and walks in the renewal and hope that comes from living in Christ.
Supporting Scripture
"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation…"
2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us that through Christ, restoration and renewal are always possible, and our lives are transformed into something beautiful and new.
Our Beliefs
Discover the guiding principles that shape the Church of Restoration, rooted in God’s transformative grace and the mission to restore lives. Our focus on faith, community, and service drives every aspect of our ministry and outreach. We strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone can deepen their faith, build meaningful relationships, and live out God’s purpose.
Our Church History
The history of the Church of Restoration is preserved to inspire both our present and future congregations. It is our prayer that they honor the vision and perseverance of those who labored through hardships, trusting in God’s guidance and grace. Through every challenge, God has been our shield and strength, blessing us with His providence and inspiring us by His Spirit.
The Church of Restoration was established in 1944 by the late Rev. Stephen Blake and a group of thirty Christian brothers and sisters. It began humbly, with just eight people gathered in a living room. Despite having no resources—no money, no building, and no congregation—they had a big vision, unwavering faith, and belief in a mighty God who works miracles through people with bold faith. Initially organized as Community Baptist Church, the congregation worshipped in West Oakland at 810 Chester Street.
After several temporary moves, in March 1948, members, visitors, and friends marched to their new home at 1607 8th Street, Oakland, California. The following decades brought many changes to the church family, including financial struggles and periods of economic distress. Yet, through faith, sacrifice, and perseverance, the church remained steadfast, fulfilling the spiritual needs of the community. During this time, Community Baptist Church was led by six pastors and experienced a significant transformation, including a name change to Trinity Missionary Baptist Church.
In 1983, Rev. Samuel Williams was called to lead the congregation. Under his leadership, Trinity Missionary Baptist Church relocated to the Oakland Army Base in July 2000. Rev. Williams remained the pastor until his passing in January 2003. For nearly two years, the church was without a permanent shepherd but was blessed by interim leaders, including Rev. C. Cedric Claiborne and Rev. Lee Patrick, Jr. During this time, the congregation faithfully prayed and formed a pastor search committee. They believed that "God wasn’t through with us yet."
In December 2004, the church welcomed Rev. Elliott T. Ivey, Sr., as its new pastor. Under his leadership, the church was renamed New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church, marking a season of renewal. However, due to the closure of the Oakland Army Base in 2006, the congregation relocated to a temporary home at the Oakland Masonic Center on Broadway Street, where they worshipped for three years.
In July 2009, a God-ordained meeting between Pastor Ivey and Pastor John Cooper of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church (founded in 1949) resulted in a merger of the two congregations. The newly united church became Pleasant New Beginnings Baptist Church. Pastor Ivey laid a strong foundation of biblical teaching, spiritual unity, and fellowship. His relentless vision to restore people to God, to each other, and to the world led to the transition from Pleasant New Beginnings Baptist Church to the Church of Restoration (The COR).
Over more than seven decades, The Church of Restoration has undergone several name changes and been led by eight dedicated shepherds. Through it all, the church has endured, growing in faith and purpose. As we celebrate over 76 years of ministry, we can truly say, "We’ve come this far by faith, leaning and depending on the Lord."
To God Be the Glory!
The Church of Restoration began in 1944 with just eight people gathered in a living room. Though they had no resources—no money, no building, and no congregation—they had an unshakable faith in a big God who works miracles through those with big vision and big faith.
Over the course of seven decades, the church has been led by more than eight shepherds and has undergone a few name changes. In January 2003, the congregation faced a challenging time after the untimely passing of their pastor of eighteen years. For nearly two years, they were without a shepherd, but God remained faithful.
In December 2004, God called Rev. Elliott T. Ivey from Pell City, Alabama, to Oakland, California, to serve as the new pastor, leader, and teacher. For the last fifteen years, he has faithfully guided the Church of Restoration, continuing the legacy of faith and restoration that began so humbly in 1944.