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History of Lighthouse Cathedral
Founders Bishop Maurice & Barbara Trent
Bishop Trent was born on June 22, 1932 in a poor section of Pittsburgh, PA.
Tragically, his father died at 39, leaving Maurice the eldest son of eight
children to quit school and work. He was in the 3rd grade at the time. Growing
up in the inner city was difficult. It was the 30’s & 40’s
but drugs, alcohol and prostitution was as ugly as it is today. He escaped
the inner city life by joining the Army. After serving two tours, one of which
was serving in the Korean War, he returned married and started a family of
his own.
In 1960 Bishop Trent accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior just one
year after Lady Bishop received Christ. He was
very passionate about his faith and
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shared it with whoever would listen.
Not only did Bishop Trent share his faith but he demonstrated his faith by
rolling up his sleeves and helping anyone he found in need.
Bishop & Lady
Bishop decided early on that they wanted a good life for their eight children.
They had had an experience with God and it changed
their whole perspective on life. They found an old house in a small community
of Lower Burrell, rented it and moved in. It didn’t take long for
them to turn this dilapidated old house into a warm cozy home. It was there
that my father began to imagine how he could help those who were still
in the inner city trap. His new found faith in God had given him a desire
to see the drug addicts, prostitutes, and alcoholics delivered from this
lifestyle. No matter where Bishop Trent worked or lived he always found
a way to share with people about what God had done for him. There were
many moves to various states as Bishop & Lady Bishop involved themselves
in many aspects of ministry.
In 1992 Bishop Trent moved back to Pittsburgh
and established Lighthouse Cathedral a church where he could help the drug
addicts, drunks, prostitutes and people facing many other desperate situations.
Bishop & Lady Bishop didn’t just teach the Bible. They taught
the people how fix and keep up their homes, how to train their children,
how to prepare themselves to get employment, and basically how to live
the abundant life. People of all ages flocked there and gained hope for
their lives. Bishop Trent’s vision was expanded. He wanted to develop
a center where adults could learn to read, a computer center to allow all
ages to gain necessary skills, a childcare center to help give affordable
childcare for working parents, and a drug program to help others overcome
various addictions. Bishop & Lady
Bishop also decided to become foster
parents to help make a difference in the upbringing of other children.
Over time they have fostered over 13 children.
During His tenure as pastor and eventually Bishop, he always served others
as if they were greater than himself. Eventually, the city took notice
of his accomplishments. In 1999, Bishop Trent was honored by City Council,
as June 22, 2002, was established as Bishop Maurice C. Trent day. In July
2003, Bishop Trent was recognized as one of the most influential men in
Pittsburgh, in the acclaimed Pittsburgh Courier. Greater than all of the
official accolades he received, his greatest satisfaction came from seeing
peoples lives changed for the better, and children enjoying life. He used
every opportunity to share how God was changing lives from addiction, to
anointing and from pain to power. He realized that he was simply a tool
in the hand of the Master.
On July 4, 2003, Bishop Trent called his family together and let them
know that God revealed that his time on earth was nearing an end. Bishop
had long believed that when it was his time, God would let him know before
he took him. The chariots of heaven did arrive for Bishop Trent and he
now resides in heaven in a new body awaiting the arrival of all the people
he loved.
Lady Bishop Barbara Trent continues to further the vision as a member
of Lighthouse Cathedral and the President of Lighthouse Memorial Christian
Center. (LMCC) LMCC is an extension into the community with plans of a
Daycare Center, Youth Center, and Training Center for the under privileged.
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