|
Almost simultaneously
with the beginning of the Church of God in Florida among the whites, the
colored people began to accept its government also.
During the year 1919,
Edmond S. Barr, a man who had received the baptism with the Holy Ghost,
and his wife Rebecca, who had the blessing, also, visit the Church of
God camp meeting at the old Holiness Campground at Durant, Florida and
became quite well informed as to the doctrine of the Church. He was a
native of the Bahamas Islands, where he later returned to his countrymen
to give them the light of the gospel.
Somewhere near this
time, a group of people in Miami, Florida, were also organized, and a
little later, a group in Jacksonville, Florida, were also organized. The
minutes of the General Assembly which convened at the old church in
Cleveland, Tennessee, January 9-14, 1912, gives the name of the
delegates who attended that Assembly. There were no colored delegates
there. The Minutes Eighth General Assembly, which convened
January 7-12, 1913, does not give the names of the delegates, but it
does give a list of churches representing the Church of God, and among
the churches of Florida, four colored churches listed. There were the
churches: Coconut Grove, Jacksonville, Miami, Webster. Howbeit, Miami
and Jacksonville were given the first on the official list of the
Churches of God published.
The Colored Work begin
to grow, and for several years, it was under the supervision of the
Overseer of all the churches of Florida. This state of affairs
continued until the year 1915.
FIRST STATE OVERSEER
At the Eleventh General
Assembly, Edmond S. Barr, was appointed Overseer of the Colored Work in
Florida. He was the first ordained Colored Bishop in the Church of
God. After two years of service, Edmond S. Barr was discontinued as
Overseer, and the work in the state was put under the same overseer.
This was done in 1916 and the Overseer was Sam C. Perry.
FIRST OVERSEER OF THE COLORED WORK
The Colored Churches in Florida and in the other
states remained under the Overseers of the states, who were regularly
appointed at the various assemblies until the seventeenth General
Assembly, which convened November 1-7, 1922. Since the Colored Work was
opening in several other states, it was deemed wise to appoint a man
over the entire Colored Work. Thomas J. Richardson was given the
distinction of being the first man to fill that position. He served
less than one year. Thomas J. Richardson, followed A.J. Tomlinson, went
out in the disruption that followed the Seventeenth Assembly.
SECOND OVERSEER OF THE COLORED WORK
The first Colored Minister that we find a record of
receiving credentials was David La Fleur, who was ordained a deacon in
1913, and was preaching during this period of time. During the
Eighteenth General Assembly held at Cleveland, Tennessee, November 1-7,
1923, David La Fleur was appointed Overseer of the Colored Work.
1925—During the year
1925, David La Fleur called an Assembly of the Colored Work.
1926—The Second Annual
Assembly was held at Miami, Florida
1927—The Third Annual
Convention convened at Sanford, Florida April 4-10.
The women of the
Church were placed in full control of the Orphanage and School work.
Plans were
adopted for the support of the Overseer of the Colored Work
A Burial Auxiliary
for the benefit of the members of the Church was set up.
State Overseers were
appointed to six states and pastors were assigned to twenty-nine
churches.
1928—The fourth Annual Assembly was held at West
Palm Beach, Florida, March 26th-
April 1st.
Colored Assembled Considered. Brother G. Byrd of Pittsburgh, Pa.
introduced to the Elders’ Council an idea of inaugurating a colored
Assembly. There was no agreement reached on the subject. Howbeit, it
was agreed upon that this matter be taken up at the General Assembly at
Cleveland, Tennessee. The followings were agreed upon by the General
Assembly: “That the Colored people be allowed to have a Colored
Assembly and they still are and shall be recognized as the Church of God
and that we all belong to the body of Christ (the Church of God).
Neither shall it be construed that they are a body separate and apart
from the General Assembly of the Churches of God. 21st A., F. 32.
Resignation of David La Fleur.
“I am
here to tender my resignation and announce the same in the State
Convention. It is to be understood that you are to appoint an Overseer
of your choice for the ensuing year.” John H. Curry carried on until he
was officially appointed by the General Assembly. State Overseers were
assigned to five states, pastors were appointed to thirty-nine churches.
THIRD OVERSEER OF COLORED WORK
John H. Curry—1928-1938
John H. Curry of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, licensed
January 27, 1920, was ordained a bishop in 1923. At the twenty-third
General Assembly, October 22-28, he was appointed Overseer of the
Colored Work.
1929—The Fifth Annual
Assembly of the Church of God (Colored Work) convened at
Orlando, Florida. January 14-20, 1929.—Mother Jessie L. Hayward elected
State Chairman of the School and Orphanage Work. The establishing of an
Orphanage and School was considered. State Overseers were assigned to
six states; pastors were appointed to forty-two churches.
1930—Sixth Annual Assembly convened at
Jacksonville, Florida (in the Masonic
Temple
March 24-30, 1930). At this Assembly we had the largest delegation ever
to attend, the presence of the General Overseer, S. W. Latimer, and the
Bishop Council was set up for the first time. The Consolidation of the
Colored Work (both of the North and the South) was considered. This
matter was referred to the General Assembly. The erecting of an
Auditorium for the Annual Assembly was considered.
1931—The Seventh Annual Assembly convened at Jacksonville, Florida (in
the K. of P.
Castle Hall) April 13-19, 1931. Plans were set forth for the erecting
of the Church of God Auditorium.
1932—The Eighth Annual Assembly Convened at Jacksonville, Florida (in
the
unfinished basement of our Auditorium) April 18-24, 1932. Many things
were accomplished during this session for the promotion of the work.
1933—The Ninth Annual Assembly was a remarkable success; the attendance
was noteworthy in the time of
financial depression. The meeting was held April 17-23, 1933.
1934—Tenth Annual
Assembly, April 9-15.
The General Overseer
S. W. Latimer, addressed the Assembly. The Church of God Industrial
Home and School was erected at Eustis, Florida and dedicated July 2,
1934.
1935—Eleventh Annual
Assembly, April 14-21, 1935.
Like
the steady, silent, inconspicuous growth of the Biblical mustard seed,
which grew to be the greatest herb, the Church of God (Colored Work)
moved on. Ministers walked for miles conducting revival meetings in old
houses, bush harbor, under oak trees and in the streets. Souls were
saved, sanctified, baptized with the Holy Ghost, and added to the Church
of God. Churches were organized, church buildings were erected.
1936—Twelfth Annual
Assembly, April 12-19, 1936. During the Assembly year 1935-
1936,
great sacrifices had been made, prayers were answered and the second
story of the Auditorium was ready for the Assembly of 1936.
1937—Thirteenth Annual
Assembly—April 12-18, 1937
1938—Fourteenth Annual
Assembly—April, 1938
FOURTH OVERSEER OF COLORED WORK
N. S. Marcelle, 1938-1946
During
the General Assembly, held at Atlanta, Georgia August 30-September 4,
1938, N. S. Marcelle was appointed Overseer of the Colored Work.
1939—Fifteenth Annual Assembly—April 1939, Sister
Susie Bronson was elected
President of Industrial Home and School, succeeding Sister J. L.
Hayward.
1940—Sixteenth Annual
Assembly-April 15-21, 1940
1941—Seventeenth Annual
Assembly- May 4-11, 1941
The
erecting of the a Boys Dormitory for the Industrial Home and School was
considered and Orphanage workers were set up to raise fund for the same.
1942—Eighteenth Annual
Assembly—May 10-17, 1942.
The
Church’s financial report on the Industrial Home and School, and the
erecting of Boys Dormitory, amounted to $2,103.20
1943—Nineteenth Annual
Assembly—May 16-23, 1943.
The
purchasing of property and erecting of a state parsonage etc. was agreed
upon.
1944—Twentieth Annual
Assembly—May 8-14, 1944
1945—Twenty-First
Annual Assembly—May 13-20, 1945.
The
financial report for the Industrial Home and School amounted to
$6,508.58.
The two
story building for the Boys Dormitory and chapel was erecting during the
years
1940-1946. The first story was used for the School Auditorium (chapel)
State
Overseers were appointed to seventeen states; pastors were appointed to
one hundred twenty-six churches.
1946—Twenty-second
Annual Assembly—May 12-19, 1946
FIFTH OVERSEER OF THE COLORED WORK
W. L. Ford 1946-1949
W. L. Ford of
Evergreen, Alabama, was licensed during the year 1928 and was ordained a
bishop April 24, 1932, during the Eighth Annual Assembly at
Jacksonville, Florida. During the Twenty-second Annual Assembly of
1946, he was appointed Overseer of the Colored Work on Wednesday, May
15.
The Financial Report for the Industrial Home and
School amounted to $6,000.77.
Appointment of General
Official—C.F. Bright General Secretary-Treasurer, Editor & Publisher, P.
C. Hickson, General Director of Sunday School & Y.P.E, U. P. Bronson.
1947—Twenty - Third Annual Assembly - May 12, 1947
1948—Twenty-Fourth Annual Assembly May 9-16, 1948
It was agreed, upon that the General Board of Trustees serve as
negotiating committee whereby sale of property in Eustis, Florida may be
consummated and new property purchased in Jacksonville, Florida
1949—Twenty -Fifth Annual Assembly - May 15-22, 1949
Following the closing out session of the Annual Assembly of 1948, the
General Board of Trustees met to make arrangement for the completion of
the Church of God Auditorium at Jacksonville, Florida. Since it was
obvious that we should discontinue the Work of the Industrial Home and
School Department for the time being, it was agreed upon that the
sisters work in behalf of the Auditorium completion Work. Sister Maggie
Brantley, was elected president.
SIXTH OVERSEER OF COLORED WORK
George A. Wallace 1949- 1954
George A. Wallace was ordained a Bishop of the Church during the Fifth
Annual Assembly held in Orlando, Florida, April 14-20, 1949.
1950—Twenty-sixth Annual Assembly - May 21-28, 1950
The great Auditorium Completion program continued
1951—Twenty-seventh Annual Assembly - May 15-20. 1951
1952—Twenty-eighth Annual Assembly - May 11-18, 1952
1953—Twenty-ninth Annual Assembly - May 17-24, 1953
The Auditorium
After the Auditorium had been completed to a certain extent, during the
year 1932, it remained many years in that condition. During November
1947, W.L. Ford, overseer of the Colored Work, called the General
Trustee Board together in a history-making meeting to discuss plans by
which the Auditorium might be completed. The recommendation of the
building was affirmed by the Annual Assembly of 1948, and during January
1949, plans were completed. The contract let, and the great Auditorium
completion work was begun. The basement of the Auditorium was completed
during the year 1950 under the leadership of George A. Wallace. After
the completion of the basement, there was a letup in the building
program. However, it was resumed October 2, 1953, and was completed
during the early part of 1954.
1954—30th Annual Assembly - May 16-23, 1954
May 16, 1954, the Cornerstone was laid and dedicatory service held for
the Auditorium.
SEVENTH OVERSEER OF COLORED WORK
W. L. Ford, 1954-1958
W. L. Ford was appointed Overseer of the Colored Work during the Annual
Assembly of 1954, and became the seventh Overseer to be appointed over
the Colored Work.
The General indebtedness of the church amounted to $38,673.60.
1955—31st Annual Assembly - May 15-22, 1955
1956 through 1958, the works of the Church of God (Colored Work)
continued its victorious march under the leadership of W. L. Ford. Our
Annual Assembly held each year was graced with the spirit of God.
1958—34th Annual Assembly - May 11-18, 1958
The 34th Annual Assembly of the Church of God (Colored Work) was held in
the Church of God Auditorium. This assembly went down in history as the
greatest assembly ever held.
EIGHTH OVERSEER OF COLORED WORK
J. T. Roberts, 1958-1965
J.
T. Roberts was appointed Overseer of the Colored Work during the Annual
Assembly of 1954.
APPOINTMENT OF OVERSEER OF COLORED WORK
"That the Overseer of the Colored Work be appointed by the General
Executive Committee at the Annual Assembly of the Colored People.
39 Assembly, 1944, page 56. Amended to read as follows:
"That the Overseer of the Colored Work be appointed by the General
Executive Committee at the Assembly of the Colored People, and his…shall
not be subject to limitation." - 39th A. 1944, p. 36; Amended 48th
A., 1960, p. 34.
J. T. Roberts served as Overseer of the Church of God (Colored Work)
1958-1965(7 years). Under whose administration we have seen new church
building, an increase of Membership and other visible signs of progress
in our movement.
RESIGNATION OF J. T. ROBERTS
During the 41st Annual Assembly, held June 24-7, 1965, J. T. Roberts
declared his resignation as overseer of the Church of God (Colored
Work). He delivered his farewell address and concluded by saying, "With
malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in right, "I go,
but never do I forget your labor of love with me. I give you my best
wishes and brotherly greeting by distinctly drawing your attention to
the word of Christ when He a ascended ------ "My peace I leave with you!
NINTH OVERSEER OF COLORED WORK
David L. Lemons, 1965-1966
1965—David L. Lemons, was appointed Overseer of the Church of God
(Colored Work) during
the 4lst Annual Assembly held at Jacksonville, Florida, June 24-27, 1965.
His term in office was one year.
1966—The Annual Assembly of the Church of God (Colored Work) of 1966
was omitted in order to allow the
people to make preparation to attend
the General Assembly in August of 1966.
During the General Assembly of 1966, the following was agreed upon:
WHEREAS any reference to the separation of ethnic or racial group in the
Church of God is incongruent with the resolution on human rights passed
at the 1964 General Assembly (1964 General Assembly Minutes, page 67,
68); and Whereas the section captioned "Colored" in the supplement of
the 1964 General Assembly Minutes (page 18, 19) does not comply with the
spirit of the Resolution:
WE THEREFORE RECOMMEND that the section designated "Colored" in the
Minutes of the Fiftieth General Assembly of the Church of God be
deleted. We Further Recommend that the general government practice of
the Church of God obtain in all circumstances.
Therefore the Church of God (Colored Work) including Its Annual
Assembly, was discontinued during the Fifty-First General Assembly of
the Churches of God, convening at the Ellis Auditorium, Memphis,
Tennessee, August 10-15, 1966.
|