English Chapel Cathedral of Miracles Church was organized on May 14, 1958, by Reverend Stephen Jones, originally of Greenville, North Carolina. The first three services were held in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Willie Parker at the Charles F. Green Homes Apartment in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The original charter members were few, yet strong. Reverend Stephen Jones served for one year as the pastor before returning to his native home. Reverend Jonathan Powell, who was working along with him, became the pastor in 1959. Under his leadership, over 30 clergy members were called to the ministry and ordained., building a strong and lasting foundation for English Chapel Church.


In December 1972, Elder Jonathan Powell was officially consecrated as Bishop and he began to make significant organizational improvements for the growing worshippers of over 500 members. During these years, the church made a home on Wilmot Avenue in Bridgeport, and numerous ministries were birthed including the Sunday School, the Deacon and Mother Board and the church’s renowned choirs. In 1991, God gave Bishop Jonathan Powell a vision to build a new building. After acquiring the adjoining property of 279 Wilmot Avenue, a groundbreaking ceremony was held, both buildings were demolished and in 1997 construction began on a new house of worship. On October 4, 1998, “To Be God the Glory,” the congregation marched into the new English Chapel Unified Freewill Baptist Church and multi-purpose facility. The new facility would not only be an improved place of worship, but also an outreach medium between the church and the community. God gave Bishop Powell the vision to officially change the church’s name to English Chapel Cathedral of Miracles in 2002 and declare God’s message of change to the congregation as, “No More Business as Usual”. Bishop Jonathan Powell was a beloved and powerful leader of ECCOM who served for 45 years, along with his wife Lady Jessie Powell, until the Lord called him home on November 23, 2004.