Church History – The Glorious Church of God in Christ

The Glorious Church of God in Christ, in continuation with the great revival which began at Jerusalem A.D. 33, is founded upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Conerstone.

In 1915, Mother Lula Phillips came to West Virginia, triumphing in the beauty of holiness. She started her first preaching in 1916, under a large tree. In about two years of her mission work, several of our church leaders were saved. The Lord blessed Mother Phillips to establish three missions for the Triumph Church Kingdom of God in Christ. Bishop E. D. Smith was their General Leader. Later, Mother Phillips went on her missionary journey touring West Virginia. By this time several churches were established. The churches were located in Mount Hope, Glean Jean, Scarboro, Wingrove, Huntington, and Charleston. In 1920, there arose a great controversy within the Triumph Church Organization, after the death of their leader, Bishop E. D. Smith. It was the doctrinal teaching of the Triumph Church that believing saints would never experience death. However, when Bishop Smith died in Africa, the faith of the saints was shaken and some began to scatter.

On April 8, 1921, the members of the Triumph Church in West Virginia met on Stockton Street, Charleston, WV. This special call meeting was initiated by Brother Richard L. Philips, the husband of Mother Phillips, for the purpose of organizing a new church body. During this meeting, the question arose, “what shall the body be called?” Many names were introduced, but the names did not satisfy the saints. Then Sister Julia Robinson, the daughter of Mother Phillips, stood and asked Brother Cleveland H. Stokes to explain the name the Lord had given him for his Mission. Brother Stokes then began to share the events of his recent fast, and stated that while working in the coal mines, the Lord said, “I want a Glorious Church, and was going to have it.” The Lord gave him Ephesians 5:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 1:2. It was moved and seconded that this body shall be called The Glorious Church of God in Christ. The new name was accepted unanimously by the saints. This newly established body then withdrew its membership from the Triumph Church and Kingdom of God in Christ.

At this time, there were no Bishops in the Glorious Church of God in Christ. However, there were General Leaders, State and District Overseers. Elder Albart Simon was elected Presiding Elder and Mother Lula Phillips was elected General Mother. It was also suggested and supported by the saints, that the Headquarters of the Glorious Church of God in Christ be located in Huntington.

At this time the church only knew of the baptism of the Holy Ghost as a requirement for salvation. In December 1922, the church became enlightened about the water baptism in Jesus Name. It was suggested and supported that “as we see the light, we will walk in it to keep the church together”. The church began to adopt the water baptism in Jesus Name as a part of their church doctrine and necessary for salvation.

After the death of Mother Lula Phillips, Mother Mamie Whitehurst was appointed pastor over the church in Huntington. Upon the passing of Presiding Elder Albart Simon, Elder Sidney Coy Bass was appointed General Elder over the church organization. In 1944, Elder Sidney C. Bass became the first anointed and consecrated Bishop of the Glorious Church of God in Christ, thus becoming the first General Bishop.

After a major church controversy arose, the Glorious Church of God in Christ separated into two independent organizations. Bishop S. C. Bass continued to serve as General Bishop and remained in that position until his sudden and unexpected death on April 4, 1977. Bishop S. C. Bass graciously and faithfully served the Glorious Church of God in Christ in the capacity of General Bishop for 33 years.

During the Annual General Assembly, September 1977, Bishop Wesley Allen Wilson was consecrated to serve as the second General Bishop of the Glorious Church of God in Christ. Bishop W. A. Wilson served in that office for one year and was subsequently elevated to the position of Honorary General Bishop, during Annual General Assembly, September 1978. During the same General Assembly, Bishop Perry Lindsay, Sr. was consecrated to serve as the third General Bishop for the Glorious Church of God in Christ. Bishop P. Lindsay, Sr. served dutifully and honorably in that capacity for 33 years. The same amount of time served as Bishop S. C. Bass. During the Annual General Assembly, August 2011, Bishop Lindsay, Sr. was subsequently elevated to General Bishop Emeritus.

Also, during the Annual General Assembly 2011, Bishop Perry Leondas Lindsay, Jr. was consecrated to serve as the fourth General Bishop of the Glorious Church of God in Christ. However, due to declining health, Bishop Lindsay, Jr. was only able to serve in that capacity for two years, before his passing on December 31, 2013. After serving as the West Virginia Assistant and State Overseer for over a total of 20 years, and as Junior Bishop for two years, Bishop John Henry Grant was consecrated to serve as the fifth General Bishop for the Glorious Church of God in Christ during the General Assembly August 2014. Bishop J. Grant continues to serve as Presiding Prelate and General Bishop.