Didn’t Mother Lula Phillips feel a divine calling over 99 years ago? That calling sparked the beginnings of the Original Glorious Apostolic Faith Church. Her obedience to God’s direction led to the creation of one of the most anointed Apostolic organizations.
Mother Lula Phillips hailed from Indianapolis Indiana. Around 1919 she sensed a call from God to relocate to Huntington West Virginia. Acting on this divine prompting Mother Phillips moved to Huntington. Many family members and church members followed her.
At that time Mother Phillips was a member of the Triumph Church. She embraced the Trinitarian doctrine. Her desire to share God’s word became insatiable. Mother Phillips never missed an opportunity to teach the Word of God. It was common to find her preaching and teaching under a large tree surrounded by people.
Around 1921 Richard Phillips Mother Phillips’ husband felt inspired to organize the church. During a meeting to create an organizational structure attendees were asked to suggest a new name for the church. Many names were proposed but none satisfied the saints. Then Brother Stokes the late Bishop C H Stokes shared his revelation. He said that while working in the mine the Lord told him “I want a Glorious Church”. The Lord gave him Ephesians 5:26-27 as the foundational scripture.
The organization was named “The Glorious Church of God in Christ”. Mother Phillips added “of God in Christ.” Thus “The Glorious Church of God in Christ” was born. The purpose of this organization was to spread God’s word worldwide. It was decided that the Headquarters would be in Huntington West Virginia.
The name of Jesus and baptism by immersion were revealed. Mother Lula Phillips along with 50 saints were baptized in Jesus’ name in 1922. Afterward “The Glorious Church of God in Christ” became an Apostolic Faith organization.
On March 14 1939 Mother Lula Phillips suffered a heart attack. This happened while reinforcing a lesson called “The Channel of Truth.” Following her death Sidney Coy Bass became pastor and General Bishop. The vision of the members expanded.
Five years later Bishop S C Bass started a new work. He continued God’s work under “The Glorious Church of God in Christ” name. Bishop W O Howard continued the organization Mother Lula Phillips founded under a new name. That name was “The Original Glorious Church of God in Christ of the Apostolic Faith.” Bishops Perry Lindsay James Smith David Blount and I W Hamiter assisted in creating the new charter.
Through Mother Phillips’ leadership and vision the Original Glorious Church continues to grow. It spreads the gospel of salvation and God’s Word. It serves as a role model for churches and movements nationally and internationally.
Mother Lula Lightey Phillips was born in Centerville AL in 1864. She spent her early life in Birmingham AL and attended Good Hope Baptist Church. She later joined the Triumph the Church & Kingdom of God in Christ. In 1910 at age 46 she started her first mission under the Triumph umbrella in Avondale AL. By 1917 she had established three churches under the Triumph umbrella. In 1919 she felt God’s call to move to West Virginia.
The Original Glorious Church of God in Christ Apostolic Faith Inc. preaches the Gospel of the Kingdom. It trains believers to live victoriously through the Word of God in love.