Here at Williams Street Church of God In Christ you are welcome. This place is more than just a church. It is a beacon of hope in Detroit. The Lord wants to do a new thing in each of us.
Are you tired of leaving church feeling the same? Do you seek deliverance from old habits? Then come to Williams Street Church of God In Christ. Here, the Lord saves and heals. The devil is cast out. Here you can hear the pastor preach God’s word. It is preached in terms relevant to our lives today.
Williams Street Church of God In Christ is a fellowship. Believers are made in God’s image. They are called as disciples of Christ. They share the Good News. They learn, listen, and pray. They work together to reach out to the communities. This church is a place to believe, belong, and become.
In September 1929, Minister Columbus Williams started his pastoral work. This was under Overseer Daniel Bostick’s leadership. Minister Williams was not a licensed minister. Nor did he ask Bishop Bostick for a church. He simply obeyed God’s word. The word said, “Go ye therefore into all the world. Preach the gospel of deliverance from sin.”
Immediately, Minister Williams acted. His wife Della Williams joined him. So did his sister-in-law Martha Thompson. Three other women joined them. Together, they founded the Williams Temple Church of God in Christ. This began in a storefront. It adjoined a poolroom at 1702 Gratiot Street. Minister Williams and the five women fasted. They prayed until God began to save souls in that wicked community.
Later, the small church moved to 1811 Papin Street. It was at this location where Minister Williams became an ordained Elder. His church continued to grow. He then moved to 2812 Clark Street. From there, he moved to Leffingwell and Bernard Streets.
At Leffingwell and Bernard Streets, the Lord performed many miracles and healings. While there, God gave Pastor and Mother Williams a vision. They were to build the Lord a house. They purchased their first church at 3032 Market Street. The Market Street building seated 400. Membership was 300.
In 1963, the Mill Creek Redevelopment program caused a relocation. The church moved to 5877 Bartmer Street. While on Bartmer Street, Elder Williams was elevated. He became Bishop of the Second Jurisdiction. This was for the Church of God in Christ Southeast Missouri and Western Illinois. Twenty-four churches were under his leadership.
Bishop Williams knew the Bartmer Street building was too small. He consulted the Lord about another place. Several churches were for sale in the city. But none matched the vision God had given Bishop Williams. One day, he passed the old Union Theater Building at 1508 Union Boulevard. Right away, he knew, “This is it.” Through much sacrifice and prayer, Bishop Williams and his church closed the deal.
In March 1971, the church acquired the building. It was just south of the church. It is used as the educational building. From a humble storefront with five members to its eighth location at 1500 N. Union. Williams Temple Church of God In Christ progressed. It prospered for fifty years under Bishop Columbus Williams. Bishop Williams passed away on April 6, 1979.
In 1979, Elder Lawrence Marcellus Wooten became Pastor. He had been a faithful supporter. He had served as 1st Assistant Pastor to Bishop Williams. Under Pastor Wooten, the sanctuary was renovated. It became the beautiful house that stands today. The stained-glass window behind the pulpit was designed by Pastor Wooten. In the year 2000, he was appointed Bishop. This was of the Eastern Missouri/Western Illinois Church of God in Christ. Under Bishop Wooten’s leadership, the church has thrived.