“We will defend no doctrine but the doctrine of the Bible.” These words echo the core values of the Church of God in Christ United. Today we explore the story of Saint Peters Church of God and Christ in New Orleans.
Saint Peters Church of God and Christ is part of a larger movement. This movement began with Bishop Charles Harrison Mason in 1897. He established The Church of God in Christ in Memphis. It became the mother church of the Black Pentecostal Movement.
In 1914 the First Church of God in Christ in New Orleans joined the Memphis group. Bishops James Feltus Sr and Henry Feltus led the church. It started as Sixth Street Holiness Church in 1907. The Feltus bishops aligned with Bishop Mason. They built the Church of God in Christ in Louisiana. By 1946 it had over 200 churches.
After Overseer James Feltus Sr died Louisiana split. It divided into Eastern and Western regions. Bishop Mason appointed Elder James Feltus Jr to lead the east. He was only 25 and pastored the First Church of God in Christ in New Orleans.
Bishop James Feltus Jr worked hard despite a leadership crisis. He organized fellowship convocations each year from 1968 to 1972. His work helped many people find stability. It was a time when many churches were shaken by the crisis.
The Church of God in Christ United emerged in 1972. God ordained it. It followed the same doctrine as The Church of God in Christ Inc. But it had a different discipline.
In 1972 Bishop James Feltus Jr began organizing a separate denomination. In 1973 he defined five principles. These principles guided the Church of God in Christ United.
The first principle defended the Bible’s doctrine. It also defended the church that Christ died for. The second principle made the local church central. The third principle promoted Christian fellowship. The fourth principle replaced national assessments with local pledges. The fifth principle declared the Bible as the church’s constitution.
On January 20 1973 Bishops James Feltus Jr R A Campbell and Marshall Hebert met. They met at Bishop Feltus’ home. It was at 2742 Prentiss Avenue in New Orleans. These men were leaders. Bishop Feltus led The Church of God in Christ S E Louisiana Jurisdiction #2. Bishop Campbell led The Church of God in Christ International in London. Bishop Hebert led The Miracle Oil Revival Center Inc.
These bishops united. They formed The Church of God in Christ United. Supervisor Hazel L Feltus became the International Supervisor of the Department of Women. Saint Peters Church of God and Christ continues this legacy. It upholds these founding principles.