The setting for First Apostolic Church of Rome began several years before the establishment of this local assembly. Ironically, the U.S. Army was indirectly involved in its establishment. Rev. Gary Livingston, now a resident of Cedartown, Ga., was traveling throughout the United States with his brother, Rev. Dean Livingston. They held revivals in many Apostolic and Pentecostal churches. This evangelistic team was experiencing great success when an unexpected turn of events took place in the early 1960's. The team was split up when Bro. Gary Livingston was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. Little did they realize that God had his hand in all of this.

Later, Bro. Dean came to Cedartown for a revival meeting. Bro. Gary, who was stationed at Fort Benning in Columbus Ga., visited Cedartown to once again assist his brother. It was during this revival that Bro. Gary met his future bride, the former Miss Brenda Bonds. After the marriage of Bro. & Sis. Livingston, the couple settled in Cedartown and attended the local Pentecostal church.

In the the meantime, several people in the Rome area were praying that the Lord would send somebody to Rome to establish an Apostolic Church. Eventually, Bro. Gary Livingston felt the burden and began what is now the First Apostolic Church of Rome, Georgia. On October 25, 1973 the first service was held with eight people in attendance. The congregation assembled in a small building located on Radio Springs Road in West Rome. Some of the early members along with Bro. and Sis. Livingston and their son Greg Livingston, were Bro. C.T. Givens, Sis. Essie Givens, Sis. Edith Ellison, Bro. George Dawkins, and Sis . Ida Brock, all of Rome, Ga. As the Lord blessed the church, the original property, previously leased, was purchased in February, 1974. The small but growing congregation built Sunday School classrooms and added a restroom to the original structure.

Later, the building was sold, and the congregation assembled in a store front building on North Broad Street, in Rome, Ga., for several months. In June, 1976, the property on Cave Spring Road (U.S. Hwy 411) was purchased. Construction on the new building was begun in February, 1977. The first service was held in the present sanctuary with approximately 125 in attendance on July 4, 1977.

Since then the First Apostolic Church of Rome has experienced several phases of expansion. In June, 1983 the parking lot was paved and the sanctuary was renovated in April 1986. Three acres of land adjacent to the church property were purchased in January, 1989. The fellowship hall was renovated in 1992. In 1995, a new addition was built to the church with new Sunday school classrooms, a nursery, larger restrooms, and a new kitchen and fellowship hall. The pastor's study was also enlarged. In 1997, the church parking lot was expanded and paved. A new driveway which allows access from Hwy 411 was built in 2000.

Our latest, and largest addition has been the construction of our Family Life Center. The Family Life Center was completed and dedicated to the Lord in March of 2003. This beautiful building houses our gymnasium, Sunday school department, choir room, several offices, fellowship hall, and a kitchen.

We thank God for blessing First Apostolic Church of Rome, Georgia. We give Him all the praise!!!