One day, Elder Walter Scott was led by God to Elder Raymond Lloyd's church on 17th and Woodland. There he found Elder Lloyd sitting outside, very discouraged. He gladly welcomed Elder Scott and asked him to take charge of the church. Elder Scott was later led to take the Pastorate of the church. There was only one member, Bro. Mark Edgely, besides Elder Scott's wife, Sis. Zephyr.

On July 10, 1938, Elder Scott had an official opening of the reestablished church and named the church Christ Temple Pentecostal Church. Because of the poor condition of the building, Elder Scott relocated the church to the building at 2104 Harrison.When the church reached its eighth year under Elder Scott's Pastorate, a young minister, Elder Lee Tolbert, Sis. Lorene and their five month old son, Lee Jr., moved to Kansas City from Parsons, Kansas.

2104 Harrison

2100 Harrison

The church moved again to a larger building at 2100 Harrison. The church had wooden folding chairs and used an old piano, an old guitar and a tambourine for music.

Elder Tolbert was faithful in the work of the church and as the church family increased, so did the Tolbert family. The Tolberts were blessed with a total of six children; among these was Mark Curtis Tolbert, born in September, 1955. Elder Walter Scott and Sis. Zephyr became little Mark's Godparents.

As souls were added to the church, the storefront building was no longer adequate. Elder Scott raised funds from the membership to purchase a building at 4101 Agnes, where the church moved in December, 1958.

Mark Curtis Tolbert received the Holy Ghost at the Agnes location in a tarrying room that became known as "Little Jerusalem", where Mother Zeola Meeks was over the Evangelism Team.

Sis. Zephyr Scott, a great preacher and bible teacher, departed this life in July, 1961. Elder Scott later married Sis. Mattie Gibson. In 1967, Pastor Scott passed away after a short illness. Elder Lee A. Tolbert then became Pastor and chose Elder Wilbur Taylor as his Assistant.

In 1969, as a result of the tremendous growth of the membership, Pastor Tolbert lead the church to purchase our present magnificent location, 3400 Paseo. The church moved into the building in January, 1970.

Elder Taylor became Pastor of Grace Temple Church and Elder Tolbert chose Elder James Gibson as his new Assistant Pastor.

Elder Wilbur Taylor

Elder James Gibson

Eventually, the church purchased all of the property on the north side of 34th Street which consisted of six unit apartment buildings and a house, which has been demolished. A day care center was established and progressed for a number of years under Elder Tolbert's ministry.

Mark Tolbert was called to the ministry and later ordained as an Elder. In April, 1978, he married a Louisiana native, Emelda Faciane. There were two children born into this marriage, Mark, Jr.(Gone Home To Glory) and Britton Elliot.

Elder Mark C. Tolbert was also appointed an Assistant Pastor. Elder James Gibson and Elder Mark C. Tolbert served as Assistant Pastors simultaneously. Elder Gibson served faithfully as Assistant Pastor until his death in 1987.

After a brief illness in 1989, Elder Lee Tolbert decided to pass the torch to his Assistant Pastor and become Senior Pastor. Elder Mark C. Tolbert was installed as Pastor in 1989 by Diocesan Bishop Samuel Layne. Elder Lee A. Tolbert later took full retirement from the Pastoral position.

Pastor Mark Tolbert chose Evangelist Betty Garrett as Christ Temple's first female Assistant Pastor and she currently serves this position faithfully and capably.

Bishop Mark C. Tolbert

Elder Walter Scott

Suff. Bishop Lee Tolbert

During the 1998 National Convention of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW), Pastor Tolbert was ordained as Suffragen Bishop, changing his appropriate title from Elder Tolbert to Bishop Tolbert. Later, Bishop Tolbert was endowed with an honorary Doctorate Degree.

Christ Temple has grown to over 30 auxiliaries providing programs that benefit the young and old. There are Annual Bible Conferences. Throughout the year, Illustrated Sermons are produced. Professional Plays are produced at Christmas and Easter. The church has aired on several television stations and currently airs on Direct TV, ministering to millions across the country. Christ Temple broadcasts on local radio stations weekly. Bishop Tolbert has endorsed an ongoing Ministerial Training Institute here at Christ Temple.