How it all started...
The Church of God in Christ roots in South Carolina date as far back as the 1920s under the leadership of Elder D. J. James and Mother Denton. An evangelistic thrust spread throughout South Carolina with noted ministers: W. M. Smith, M. E. Jenkins, C. B. Brown, J. T. Barber and H. W. Worth. From this thrust, five churches were established - Dewy Hill Mission, Charleston (New Jerusalem); 18-F Street, Charleston (no longer a part of the jurisdiction); St. Stephen, under the leadership of Dad Jamison, Walterboro; St. Mark, Camden; State Temple (now Greater Miracle Temple) Orangeburg. State Temple was the headquarters. Under the leadership of God's humble servant, Bishop Emeritus Johnie James Johnson, we returned to our South Carolina Jerusalem.
During the next four decades, forty (40) congregations were established; Calvary, Goose Creek; Mt. Calvary, Lugoff; Mason Temple, Conway; Cato Chapel, Bethune; St. Noah, Aiken; Bowman Temple, Bowman. (1946-1956); Evening of Prayer, Charleston Heights; Friendship, Lincolnville; Victory, Charleston; Solomon Temple, Robertsville; Fairfax (now Greater Faith Temple); 1956-1966 Fair Street, Savannah (no longer with the Jurisdiction). There are other churches that are no longer with the jurisdiction. The dates of their beginnings were not available to us. It is believed that some of them were established during this decade, as well as some of our existing churches that did not make available their beginning dates. Our history will have a void without mentioning these churches: Jacob Temple, Tillman; Johnson Temple, Holly Hill (established through the Johnie J. Johnson Radio Ministry); Victory Temple, Denmark; St. Phillip, Govan Holy Temple, Bamberg; 1966-1976 Little Mission (the present Zion Tabernacle), Moore; Myers Temple, Strawberry; Cathedral of Miracles (formally Miracle Temple) no longer with us: Jackson Temple; Faith Temple, Wallace; Redeemed Temple, Cheraw; Blackville (Present Ebenezer) - this church structure is located on Church of God In Christ property purchased by the late Elder Paul Taylor and the St. Phillip, Govan church family. Canty Memorial, Sumter; Community Memorial, Columbia (an extension of Latimer Temple.)
There are many pioneers whose contributions to the ministry here in the South Carolina Jurisdiction will long be remembered. Many of them have gone home to be with the Lord. These servants are: Bishop John Wesley Wilson; Elder Corner (the father of the late Mother Janie Thomas, Elder Hunt and missionaries; Gussie Hunt, Rebecca Brown, Deacon Jimmy and Roberta Johnson; Mother Mary Lou Maynor (1900-1999); Our precious Mother Joesire Jones. Momma Joe will be remembered by all for her very sweet spirit (19-- - 2001); Superintendent Jacob C. Dantzler and Missionary Francine Dantzler. Superintendent Robert Coaxum (when he heard the full gospel preached by Superintendent Dantzler, received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and was later forced to resign the Community Baptist Church); Mother Willie Mae Rivers who was our very capable Supervisor of women (Jurisdiction and National) for many years, heard the Word preached by Superintendent Dantzler, ("You will want to die and can't") believed, received and began covering the United States and other countries telling men, women, boys and girls that they can be saved. Mother Alice Marie Saunders (late Supervisor) the stylish and capable Ortilee Priester; Mother Priester was a very capable District Missionary; Superintendent David Johnson and Bishop Emeritus Johnie J. Johnson along with their wives: Missionary Earline Johnson and Mother Thelma Johnson; South Carolina Jurisdiction was and is very blessed because of them. We have a rich heritage.
In September 1974, Bishop John Wesley Wilson (known as the voice of the South) went home to be with the Lord. Bishop Jacob Cohen (interim) organized the John Wesley Wilson Memorial Institute and the John Wesley Wilson Chapter, an affiliate of the Charles Harrison Mason Foundation. In 1975 Bishop Harold Jenkins Bell was appointed by the late Bishop James O. Patterson to serve as jurisdictional prelate. Bishop Bell brought to us the "Progressive Change" program. During this "Progressive Change" era, we received a new financial system (20% of the tithe), the districts were renamed, and the boundaries were redrawn geographically. Servants such as Supt. J. C. Dantzler, Missionaries: Ruth Farmer, Ruhbena Reese, Emma J. Lewis, and Sister Alfreda Wright traveled over South Carolina gathering information needed for the "Progressive Change Program." All conventions were united under one umbrella called the "TRIAD CONVENTION" (John Wesley Wilson Institute, United Jurisdictional Auxiliaries "UJAC", and the Women Convention) and "HOLY CONVOCATION" convening in July, which has proven to be a "family phenomenon," unsurpassed.
Also during the "Progressive Change" era, the following churches were established: Believers Temple, Warren Temple, Deliverance Tabernacle, Prayer Room (House of Prayer), Maranatha (Family Worship Center) and Pentecostal Temple, North Carolina (no longer with SC Jurisdiction).
In January 1984, Elder Johnie Johnson, a native son and pioneer of South Carolina, was appointed Jurisdictional Bishop by the late Presiding Bishop J.O. Patterson. Bishop Johnson's administration brought ten churches to the jurisdiction: Deliver Soul Saving, Grace Cathedral, Ecclesia, Refuge Temple, Glad Tidings, Greater Faith, Faith & Deliverance, Pentecostal Temple, Emmanuel, Crown of Life, Moultrie Temple, One to One Ministries, Genesis and Abundant Life.
During the 1990s more churches and missions were added to the jurisdiction: Charity Inspirational, Gospel Mission, Gospel Tabernacle-Charleston, Gospel Tabernacle-Greenwood, Grace Cathedral Christian Center, Grace Temple, Hope Gospel Temple, New Joy, True Way Community. Since 1984 through the leadership of Bishop Johnson, we made great progress. The District's financial structure and the Rebate System were revised. The Northeastern was added to the jurisdiction, with Elder E. N. Brockington as its first District Superintendent. One very giant step was the acquisition of more than 200 acres of property. Bishop Johnson brought us back to our original Headquarters. Such an achievement has never been done in the SC Jurisdiction. All the Glory, All the honor, and all the praises belong to God.
South Carolina continued to make progress under the leadership of Bishop Emeritus Johnson, the late Mother Willie Mae Rivers and his capable Assistant William A. Prioleau, superintendents, pastors, elders, Elder James L. Lee (Former Chairman of the Commission on Budget & Finance), Elder Edward L. Johnson (Former Jurisdictional Secretary and member of the building Committee), the late Elder James H. Lee (Building Coordinator), Dr. Alonzo Johnson (Former Dean of Institute), staff members and loyal members.
Also during the administration of Bishop Emeritus Johnie James Johnson, many local pastors and congregations built, purchased, or renovated churches. Those churches were: Canty Memorial, Mason Temple, Evening of Prayer, New Jerusalem, Abundant Life, Victory, Family Worship Center, Grace Cathedral, Bowman Temple, Cato Chapel, Friendship Inspirational, Johnson Temple, Refuge, and River of Life.
More churches were added in the late 1990s and into the 2000s: Agape, Abundant Life, Community Memorial, Gospel Explosion, Greater Harvest, Light of the World, Miracle, Revelation Sanctuary, New Harvest Ministries, Northwestern Christian Ministries, River of Life, St. Luke, True Way, Unity., New Hope, Moncks Corner; Fruit of the Spirit, Fairfax; True Holiness, Myrtle Beach; Universal Outreach Ministry, Columbia; Miracle Tabernacle, Myrtle Beach; Fresh Anointing, Summerville, Trinity Holiness, Moncks Corner, New Abundant Life, Varnville, Rhema Christian Center, Columbia, Restoration Life Ministries, Columbia, Solid Rock Worship Center, Columbia, Victorious Believers Ministries, Columbia, New Birth, Sumter.
Bishop William A. Prioleau took the reins of leadership in 2021 after the retirement of Bishop Johnson. Mother Annie P. Moody was appointed Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women in 2023 after the emeritization of our dear Mother Willie Mae Rivers. Mother Rivers passed in 2024, but left an indelible mark on the Jurisdiction that is long to be remembered. Under the leadership of Bishop Prioleau and Mother Moody, the Jurisdiction is growing and developing. Since taking the reins of leadership, new churches have been established and added. They are Bible Outreach, Sumter, Liberty Church, Summerville, Hope City Fellowship Church, Columbia, and Impact Church, Beaufort. TO GOD, BE THE GLORY!
During the next four decades, forty (40) congregations were established; Calvary, Goose Creek; Mt. Calvary, Lugoff; Mason Temple, Conway; Cato Chapel, Bethune; St. Noah, Aiken; Bowman Temple, Bowman. (1946-1956); Evening of Prayer, Charleston Heights; Friendship, Lincolnville; Victory, Charleston; Solomon Temple, Robertsville; Fairfax (now Greater Faith Temple); 1956-1966 Fair Street, Savannah (no longer with the Jurisdiction). There are other churches that are no longer with the jurisdiction. The dates of their beginnings were not available to us. It is believed that some of them were established during this decade, as well as some of our existing churches that did not make available their beginning dates. Our history will have a void without mentioning these churches: Jacob Temple, Tillman; Johnson Temple, Holly Hill (established through the Johnie J. Johnson Radio Ministry); Victory Temple, Denmark; St. Phillip, Govan Holy Temple, Bamberg; 1966-1976 Little Mission (the present Zion Tabernacle), Moore; Myers Temple, Strawberry; Cathedral of Miracles (formally Miracle Temple) no longer with us: Jackson Temple; Faith Temple, Wallace; Redeemed Temple, Cheraw; Blackville (Present Ebenezer) - this church structure is located on Church of God In Christ property purchased by the late Elder Paul Taylor and the St. Phillip, Govan church family. Canty Memorial, Sumter; Community Memorial, Columbia (an extension of Latimer Temple.)
There are many pioneers whose contributions to the ministry here in the South Carolina Jurisdiction will long be remembered. Many of them have gone home to be with the Lord. These servants are: Bishop John Wesley Wilson; Elder Corner (the father of the late Mother Janie Thomas, Elder Hunt and missionaries; Gussie Hunt, Rebecca Brown, Deacon Jimmy and Roberta Johnson; Mother Mary Lou Maynor (1900-1999); Our precious Mother Joesire Jones. Momma Joe will be remembered by all for her very sweet spirit (19-- - 2001); Superintendent Jacob C. Dantzler and Missionary Francine Dantzler. Superintendent Robert Coaxum (when he heard the full gospel preached by Superintendent Dantzler, received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and was later forced to resign the Community Baptist Church); Mother Willie Mae Rivers who was our very capable Supervisor of women (Jurisdiction and National) for many years, heard the Word preached by Superintendent Dantzler, ("You will want to die and can't") believed, received and began covering the United States and other countries telling men, women, boys and girls that they can be saved. Mother Alice Marie Saunders (late Supervisor) the stylish and capable Ortilee Priester; Mother Priester was a very capable District Missionary; Superintendent David Johnson and Bishop Emeritus Johnie J. Johnson along with their wives: Missionary Earline Johnson and Mother Thelma Johnson; South Carolina Jurisdiction was and is very blessed because of them. We have a rich heritage.
In September 1974, Bishop John Wesley Wilson (known as the voice of the South) went home to be with the Lord. Bishop Jacob Cohen (interim) organized the John Wesley Wilson Memorial Institute and the John Wesley Wilson Chapter, an affiliate of the Charles Harrison Mason Foundation. In 1975 Bishop Harold Jenkins Bell was appointed by the late Bishop James O. Patterson to serve as jurisdictional prelate. Bishop Bell brought to us the "Progressive Change" program. During this "Progressive Change" era, we received a new financial system (20% of the tithe), the districts were renamed, and the boundaries were redrawn geographically. Servants such as Supt. J. C. Dantzler, Missionaries: Ruth Farmer, Ruhbena Reese, Emma J. Lewis, and Sister Alfreda Wright traveled over South Carolina gathering information needed for the "Progressive Change Program." All conventions were united under one umbrella called the "TRIAD CONVENTION" (John Wesley Wilson Institute, United Jurisdictional Auxiliaries "UJAC", and the Women Convention) and "HOLY CONVOCATION" convening in July, which has proven to be a "family phenomenon," unsurpassed.
Also during the "Progressive Change" era, the following churches were established: Believers Temple, Warren Temple, Deliverance Tabernacle, Prayer Room (House of Prayer), Maranatha (Family Worship Center) and Pentecostal Temple, North Carolina (no longer with SC Jurisdiction).
In January 1984, Elder Johnie Johnson, a native son and pioneer of South Carolina, was appointed Jurisdictional Bishop by the late Presiding Bishop J.O. Patterson. Bishop Johnson's administration brought ten churches to the jurisdiction: Deliver Soul Saving, Grace Cathedral, Ecclesia, Refuge Temple, Glad Tidings, Greater Faith, Faith & Deliverance, Pentecostal Temple, Emmanuel, Crown of Life, Moultrie Temple, One to One Ministries, Genesis and Abundant Life.
During the 1990s more churches and missions were added to the jurisdiction: Charity Inspirational, Gospel Mission, Gospel Tabernacle-Charleston, Gospel Tabernacle-Greenwood, Grace Cathedral Christian Center, Grace Temple, Hope Gospel Temple, New Joy, True Way Community. Since 1984 through the leadership of Bishop Johnson, we made great progress. The District's financial structure and the Rebate System were revised. The Northeastern was added to the jurisdiction, with Elder E. N. Brockington as its first District Superintendent. One very giant step was the acquisition of more than 200 acres of property. Bishop Johnson brought us back to our original Headquarters. Such an achievement has never been done in the SC Jurisdiction. All the Glory, All the honor, and all the praises belong to God.
South Carolina continued to make progress under the leadership of Bishop Emeritus Johnson, the late Mother Willie Mae Rivers and his capable Assistant William A. Prioleau, superintendents, pastors, elders, Elder James L. Lee (Former Chairman of the Commission on Budget & Finance), Elder Edward L. Johnson (Former Jurisdictional Secretary and member of the building Committee), the late Elder James H. Lee (Building Coordinator), Dr. Alonzo Johnson (Former Dean of Institute), staff members and loyal members.
Also during the administration of Bishop Emeritus Johnie James Johnson, many local pastors and congregations built, purchased, or renovated churches. Those churches were: Canty Memorial, Mason Temple, Evening of Prayer, New Jerusalem, Abundant Life, Victory, Family Worship Center, Grace Cathedral, Bowman Temple, Cato Chapel, Friendship Inspirational, Johnson Temple, Refuge, and River of Life.
More churches were added in the late 1990s and into the 2000s: Agape, Abundant Life, Community Memorial, Gospel Explosion, Greater Harvest, Light of the World, Miracle, Revelation Sanctuary, New Harvest Ministries, Northwestern Christian Ministries, River of Life, St. Luke, True Way, Unity., New Hope, Moncks Corner; Fruit of the Spirit, Fairfax; True Holiness, Myrtle Beach; Universal Outreach Ministry, Columbia; Miracle Tabernacle, Myrtle Beach; Fresh Anointing, Summerville, Trinity Holiness, Moncks Corner, New Abundant Life, Varnville, Rhema Christian Center, Columbia, Restoration Life Ministries, Columbia, Solid Rock Worship Center, Columbia, Victorious Believers Ministries, Columbia, New Birth, Sumter.
Bishop William A. Prioleau took the reins of leadership in 2021 after the retirement of Bishop Johnson. Mother Annie P. Moody was appointed Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women in 2023 after the emeritization of our dear Mother Willie Mae Rivers. Mother Rivers passed in 2024, but left an indelible mark on the Jurisdiction that is long to be remembered. Under the leadership of Bishop Prioleau and Mother Moody, the Jurisdiction is growing and developing. Since taking the reins of leadership, new churches have been established and added. They are Bible Outreach, Sumter, Liberty Church, Summerville, Hope City Fellowship Church, Columbia, and Impact Church, Beaufort. TO GOD, BE THE GLORY!