Church of God In Christ, Inc
Delaware Jurisdiction History
The church had its inception during August 1925. The late C. W. Franklin was its leader.
The church was housed at 2ND & Walnut Streets, Wilmington, DE. The church was incorporated Church of God In Christ #1, known as'' Mother Church of God In Christ."
The Whole Truth Paper in October 1937 published the following information about the Church of God In Christ. "Greetings to the Brotherhood from the Church of God In Christ at Wilmington, DE. We are continually enjoying the rich blessings of the Lord. Our Annual State Convocation was held here, and we had a high time in the Lord. We were blessed to have with us royalty from the Kings Family; namely, Bishop C. H. Mason and Bishop O.T. Jones, Presiding. Elder Paulecus of Haiti, Mother L. M. Cox - State Mother of New Jersey, Mother Ways - State Mother of Eastern P A. Sister Price White - Charity Worker from Baltimore, MD; Overseer Range and wife of Chester, PA; our own State Mother A. L. Bailey of Detroit, MI and others from various places. Elder D.A. Burton was ordained during this Convocation. Our leader, Elder C. W. Franklin worked untiringly to make this Convention pleasant for the people.
We thank God for his blessings upon us here, and we are looking to him for greater blessings. At the time this article was submitted for publication, Elder C. W. Franklin was Pastor, Sister Vera Russ - Church Reporter and Bishop O. T. Jones was State Bishop of Delaware, Maryland and D.C." As you can see, our Church in 1937 held the Annual Convocation with Bishop O. T. Jones Presiding and State Mother A. L. Bailey. At the end of 1937, MD became a State under Bishop Carr; leaving Delaware and D.C. under the leadership of Bishop Kelsey and State Mother A. L. Bailey until 1949.
Delaware was beginning to grow - In 1950, became a separate Jurisdiction under the leadership of Bishop Wm. Wilson and again, faithful State Mother A.L. Bailey. In 1951, Mother Bailey passed the teaching Ministry for the Delaware Jurisdiction on to Mother Georgia Burton, who served faithfully as State Supervisor with Bishop Wilson. Mother Burton, a great pioneer of our Church, served the Delaware Jurisdiction from 1951 to 1991 -" 40 years" of loyal service. During the early church years of the Delaware Jurisdiction, there were only 3 Churches of God In Christ - Mother C.O.G.I.C., MT. Calvary C.O.G.I.C. and Gentleman C.O.C.I.C.
In 1990, Mother Senora Riley was appointed State Supervisor of the Department of Women and Mother Burton was elevated to State Mother Emeritus. In 1992, Mother Shirley Cofer was appointed State Supervisor of the Department of Women. In 1995, Mother Irma L. Goldsberry was appointed State Supervisor of the Department of Women. In 1960, Bishop L.T. Blackshear was appointed Jurisdictional Bishop of the State of DE. Working by his side to help Delaware grow was Mother Georgia Burton - State Supervisor.
Under the direction of Bishop Blackshear, Delaware experienced tremendous grown. It has grown from 3 churches to 17 churches and missions in 4 districts, Wilmington District, Elder Everett Riley, Superintendent, Southern District, Elder Kenneth McMillan, Superintendent, Headquarters District, Elder Thomas Holsey, Superintendent, Central District, Elder Louis E. Bowers, Superintendent and Southeast District, Elder Theodore Jones, Superintendent. Bishop Blackshear was called to glory on Friday, September 19, 2008. Mother Irma Goldsberry went on to glory March 30th, 2009, Mother Diane Custis continued in her roll as Assistant Supervisor of Woman until an bishop could be appointed.
The General Board, Church of God in Christ, Worldwide unanimously voted to appoint Superintendent Thomas Holsey Bishop Designate of The Delaware Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction during April call, Tuesday, April 7th, 2009. During the first Ministers and Workers Conference, April 20-26th under Bishop Thomas Lee Holsey, established seven (6) new churches. New Birth Ministries, COGIC under Pastor Alfonso Wilson, Harvest Temple, COGIC under Pastor Braxton Clarke, Christian Pavilion, COGIC under Elder James Parker Weaver, III, Pastor . Three of the new Churches established under a new District, The Bishop James L Eure Memorial District was established under the leadership of Bishop James Eure, Jr. As of April 28, 2009 the jurisdiction had established six (6) districts and operated 23 churches and missions.
Bishop Thomas Lee Holsey, DTh
Delaware Jurisdiction
Church of God In Christ, Inc.
