Here at 7524 Carver Road stands the Holiness Church of Jesus Christ. It is more than just a building. It is a beacon of faith in the heart of Houston.
The story of the Holiness Church of Jesus Christ is deeply intertwined with the broader narrative of the holiness movement in Christianity. To fully appreciate its significance, we need to journey back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Church of Christ Holiness U.S.A. emerged from this movement. It shares early roots with the Church of God in Christ. Charles Price Jones played a pivotal role. Jones was a Missionary Baptist preacher in Alabama and Mississippi. He embraced Holiness Methodist doctrines around 1896.
Jones associated with other Holiness leaders including W. S. Pleasant and Charles Harrison Mason. In 1897 Jones held a Holiness convention at Mt. Helm Baptist Church in Jackson Mississippi. The church later changed its name to Church of Christ in 1898.
In 1906, a convocation was held to investigate the Azusa Street Revival. C.H. Mason and D. J. Young were selected for this task. They accepted William Seymour’s teachings about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This led to disagreement.
In 1907, a division occurred over the doctrine of speaking in tongues. C.P. Jones retained the original holiness movement doctrine. C.H. Mason embraced Holiness Pentecostalism. The Holiness division began using the name Church of Christ Holiness. It was chartered in Mississippi in 1920 as the Church of Christ Holiness U.S.A.
Theology at the Holiness Church of Jesus Christ centers on a trinitarian view with a Holiness emphasis. Water baptism by immersion is practiced. The Lord’s Supper is observed as a memorial. Foot washing is also practiced but not as an ordinance. Speaking in tongues is not rejected. The Holy Spirit is seen as a gift to every believer.
The church’s structure is episcopal. A Senior Bishop serves as the highest official. The church is divided into eight dioceses across the United States.
The Holiness Church of Jesus Christ stands as a testament to faith and community in Houston. The church continues to serve its members and uphold its traditions. Consider the dedication and perseverance that have shaped this institution. The Holiness Church of Jesus Christ is more than a structure. It is a living testament to faith, history and community.