Glorious Church of God and Christ

Amidst the vibrant energy of Houston, stands the Glorious Church of God in Christ. This church, a beacon of faith, has a history as rich as the city itself. The Glorious Church of God in Christ traces its origins back to 1915. Mother Lula Phillips arrived in West Virginia, igniting a spiritual revival. Her early preaching took place beneath a simple tree, yet her message resonated powerfully. This led to the establishment of several missions under the Triumph Church Kingdom of God in Christ. However, after the death of Bishop E.D. Smith in 1920, controversy arose within the Triumph Church. Its doctrine, which proclaimed believers would never die, was challenged by the bishop’s passing. This led to uncertainty and division among the congregation. On April 8, 1921, members of the Triumph Church in West Virginia convened on Stockton Street in Charleston. The purpose of the meeting, initiated by Richard L. Phillips, Mother Phillips’ husband, was to form a new church body. The question arose, “What shall the body be called?” After much deliberation, Julia Robinson, Mother Phillips’ daughter, asked Brother Cleveland H. Stokes to share the name he’d received in a vision. Stokes recounted his experience working in the coal mines, where the Lord declared, “I want a Glorious Church, and I’m going to have it.” He cited Ephesians 5:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 1:2. The name, The Glorious Church of God in Christ, was unanimously adopted. The Glorious Church of God in Christ, now independent, established its headquarters in Huntington, West Virginia. Initially, the church emphasized the baptism of the Holy Ghost as essential for salvation. In December 1922, they embraced water baptism in Jesus’ name, incorporating it into their doctrine. The Glorious Church of God in Christ continued to evolve under the leadership of figures like Mother Mamie Whitehurst and Elder Sidney Coy Bass, who became the church’s first consecrated bishop in 1944. Even amidst later controversies and divisions, the church persevered, carrying forward its mission and the legacy of its founders. The Glorious Church of God in Christ in Houston stands as a testament to their enduring faith.