Two large Aurora churches - one Black, one White - merge with new name, Purpose City

Posted October 08, 2023 11:00 pm

By Clayton Muhammad, City of Aurora

Pastor Talaat McNeely leads the launch service of the new Purpose City Church in Aurora, which is the result of a merger of All Nations Aurora, a predominantly Black church, and Ginger Creek, a predominantly White church. Courtesy of City of Aurora

It was a historic and purpose-driven day in Aurora when the cutting of a ribbon brought together two racially distinct churches as one.

More than 600 people gathered this weekend for the merging of All Nations Aurora Church and its predominantly Black congregation with the majority-white congregation of Ginger Creek Church - and the launching of the all-new Purpose City Church.

The new pastor of the unified church is Pastor Talaat (Ta-lit) McNeely, former lead pastor of All Nations Aurora, which he launched two years ago in Aurora.

Purpose City Church will occupy the former site of Ginger Creek Church, which opened in Aurora nearly 40 years ago.

"Some people think what we are doing is crazy," said Pastor McNeely. "How can a white church and a black church unite? I'm more concerned as to why that is such a foreign concept."

Immediately following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the inaugural launch service of Purpose City Church was held in the standing-room-only sanctuary and featured a combined choir, special children's church, and the first sermon in a series about unity called "We."

Purpose City Church plans to continue community outreach activities common to both former churches while implementing a new communitywide initiative to impact the Aurora community. Even the church's new logo, a lightbulb, is a nod to Aurora's nickname of "City of Lights."

"Our goal is to be of service to and a reflection of our beautiful, diversity city of Aurora," McNeely said.

Even the church's new logo - a lightbulb - is a nod to Aurora's "City of Lights" moniker earned as one of the first cities in America to have electric streetlights.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and launch service was held Oct. 8 for the new Purpose City Church in Aurora, bringing together a Black congregation and a White congregation as one unified church. Courtesy of City of Aurora

Purpose City Church in Aurora Courtesy of City of Aurora

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