Indiana Avenue Church of God in Christ

Amidst the vibrant streets of Detroit, Indiana Avenue Church of God in Christ stands as a testament to faith and resilience. Indiana Avenue Church of God in Christ’s story intertwines with the broader narrative of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), a denomination born from the fervor of the late 19th-century Holiness movement. Founded in 1897 by Charles Harrison Mason and Charles Price Jones, COGIC emerged from a group of Baptist ministers who embraced the Wesleyan doctrine of entire sanctification. This belief in a second work of grace, a deeper purification from sin, set them apart and led to their expulsion from the Baptist Convention. Mason, deeply influenced by the renowned African American evangelist Amanda Berry Smith, led the nascent church. Indiana Avenue Church of God in Christ has played its own unique part in this story. The church’s very existence is a testament to the Great Migration. As African Americans moved north seeking opportunities, they carried their faith and traditions. Isaiah Winans, an ordained COGIC minister, arrived in Detroit in 1918. He initially joined existing COGIC congregations. However, by 1919, he led a group to establish their own church, the Clinton Street COGIC. This congregation eventually became Indiana Avenue Church of God in Christ. The church also became a stage in the life of Elder Steven B. Dunlap. Dunlap, whose family had deep roots in COGIC, experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit at Indiana Avenue Church of God in Christ. He served as the church organist and director of the young adult choir. His musical talents extended beyond Indiana Avenue, serving the broader Great Lakes Jurisdiction under Bishop C.L. Anderson Jr. Dunlap’s dedication and leadership touched many lives, highlighting the vital role of music within the COGIC tradition. Indiana Avenue Church of God in Christ, while not explicitly mentioned in every detail of the provided knowledge, resonates with the core themes of COGIC’s history. The stories of migration, musical leadership, and spiritual growth within this church reflect the broader spirit and journey of COGIC itself. Indiana Avenue Church of God in Christ stands as a living example of how individual churches contribute to the larger tapestry of a denomination’s history and impact. It stands on Indiana Avenue as a testament to the enduring power of faith and community in the heart of Detroit.