On Thursday, October 1, 2015, the Lord decided, in his infinite wisdom, to take from us our beloved Bishop Richard J. Moore at age 70. He was born and educated in Kinston, North Carolina and was the son of the late Valene Moore Chapman and Willie Kittrell.

 

In his early years, Bishop Moore decided to move to Norfolk, Virginia where God blessed him to take care of his grandmother until she passed. He was very close to his grandmother and she taught him many words of wisdom. His grandmother also recommended that he marry his wife, Pastor Irene Moore, and he also felt it was a very wise choice. When he met her on the job in Norfolk, Virginia, he noticed something different about her and fell in love with her right away. It was not very much longer before he married her. During much of his life, Bishop Moore worked for the City of Chesapeake for 27 years and 5 years for the City of Norfolk. He retired after 30 years of service in 2000.

 

  

Bishop Moore was taught the word of God under Pastor Margaret Fauntleroy at First Gospel Tabernacle in Chesapeake, Virginia. He was saved under her and received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands of Bishop Winford Lamb at a revival. The Lord later led Bishop and Pastor Moore to open Solid Rock Apostolic Holiness Church on August 8, 1993 in Chesapeake, Virginia in a small storefront. Bishop was known around Solid Rock as an “Ezekiel Preacher” and was always known for telling his saints that, “I’ve got a feeling, that everything is gonna be alright.” God blessed him with the gift of laying on of hands and prophesying. Many of his visions have already come to pass and the new Solid Rock, opened in 2001, was one of them. Another vision he had was the church bus for the saints of God. He was ordained Bishop on September 17, 2011 under the hands of Bishop William Faison. He loved the word of God and never hesitated to teach the word to anyone that would listen. He loved his family and the saints and was widely known for helping them whenever he could and in any way he could. Bishop also loved taking care of the community around the church by feeding and clothing individuals and had a great love for older people. Bishop and his wife even adopted several children down through the years.