In 1958 a dream took root. It began in a simple café. Bishop W T Smith a man filled with faith started I Am Holy Temple Church in Dallas. He used his guitar his Bible and his voice to share his message. Two women a handicapped woman and a widow with seven children joined him. This small group met in a building riddled with problems. Leaks plagued the roof. Snakes slithered in. Even the restrooms were outdoors. Yet their devotion never wavered.
I Am Holy Temple Church grew from this humble beginning. The congregation faced challenges. A drunk man once disrupted a service. A rattlesnake nearly bit Bishop Smith’s sister-in-law. Bishop Smith himself needed back surgery which forced a temporary closure. Despite these setbacks the church persevered. A kind woman offered them a house in South Dallas rent-free. They even knocked down walls to expand the space.
Financial hardship was a constant companion in I Am Holy Temple Church’s early years. Offerings were sometimes as little as 50 cents. Yet God blessed their devotion. The offerings eventually grew to hundreds even thousands of dollars. The church flourished. The membership expanded greatly. They even had a radio broadcast on KSKY.
In 1963 they voted to buy land. Despite a theft of their funds they persevered. They acquired a building. In 1983 they remodeled to accommodate their growing congregation. They experienced tremendous growth. Sadly some members left to start their own churches. Others passed away.
In 2005 Bishop Smith’s health declined. He passed the mantle to his son Elder Titus Smith. The church continues his legacy. The I Am Holy Temple Church stands as a testament to faith resilience and the power of community. It’s a place where a simple dream blossomed into a thriving congregation. It’s a place of hope and a sanctuary for the faithful. It’s a living testament to Bishop Smith’s vision.