Michigan/Ontario Council of Bishops, Church of God in Christ, Inc.

The Church of God in Christ Established in the State of Michigan by Elder W.G. Johnson, and over the course of the next few decades is led by several General Overseers.

Overseer Mack E. Jonas - (1923-1924)
Overseer I.S. Stafford, a Medical Doctor - (1924-1930)
Overseer J.H. Kissintiner - (1930-1933)
Overseer, Bishop I.W. Winans, (1934-1937)
Overseer, Bishop Cleveland Landis Anderson, Sr. (1939-1959)

The State of Michigan gives birth to a new Jurisdiction, to be known as the Southwestern Michigan Jurisdiction, under the leadership of Bishop John Seth Bailey.

Bishop C.L. Anderson, Sr. entered the Church Triumphant. He is succeeded by Bishop Charles James Johnson as Jurisdictional Bishop of the Mother State (on August 14th), now known as Northeastern Michigan Jurisdiction.

Northeastern Michigan Jurisdiction gives birth to another new Jurisdiction, to be led by Bishop Cleveland Landis Anderson, Jr., which he named the Great Lakes Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Michigan.

The Senior Bishop, Bishop Ozro T. Jones Sr. approves and appoints Pastor Floyd A. Walls Sr., to the office of Bishop in the Church of God in Christ.

Bishop C.J. Johnson, Sr. is emeritised by Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Bishop J.O. Patterson, Sr. In his stead, the Superintendent Phillip A. Brooks is selected to serve as the Jurisdictional Bishop of the Mother State. Superintendent Herbert J. Williams, Sr. is also elevated to the office of Bishop, and is appointed to serve in yet another Jurisdiction birthed out of the Mother State, the North Central Michigan Jurisdiction.

Monday, November 1, 1976 — Bishop C.J. Johnson, Sr. entered the Church Triumphant.

Sunday, August 5, 1984 — Bishop J.S. Bailey entered the Church Triumphant. International Presiding Bishop J.O. Patterson, Sr. assumes the responsibilities as Jurisdictional Prelate of Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction on an interim basis.

November, 1984 — Bishop P.A. Brooks elected to serve on the General Board of the Church of God in Christ for his first four-year term.

At the conclusion of the State Convocation in August, three new Jurisdictions are birthed out of Southwest, and the Presiding Bishop and General Board appoints four new Bishops to serve each Jurisdiction. These men were consecrated to the Bishopric of the Church of God in Christ on Monday, November 11, 1985, at the 78th Annual Holy Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee.

Bishop Willie Lee Harris—The First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southwest Michigan (Southwest #1).
Bishop Earl Jerome Wright, Sr.—The Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdictional of Southwest Michigan (Southwest #2).
Bishop Roger L. Jones—The Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southwest Michigan (Southwest #3).
Bishop Nathaniel W. Wells—The Fourth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southwest Michigan, later renamed Western Michigan Jurisdiction.

Presiding Bishop J.O. Patterson, Sr. and the General Board approves the formation of a new Jurisdiction named Canada Second Jurisdiction and appoints Bishop Floyd A. Walls Sr., as Jurisdictional Bishop to preside over it.

Bishop Floyd A. Walls entered the Church Triumphant and is laid to rest on October 1st, 1987 in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

The Presiding Bishop and General Board appoints Superintendent Elton A. Lawrence of Detroit, Michigan Jurisdictional Bishop to preside over Canada 2nd Jurisdiction. The Jurisdiction is now known as the "Canadian / Michigan Jurisdiction".

The Presiding Bishop and General Board approves the formation of a new Jurisdiction to be birthed out of Southwest Michigan #1, which will then be called the Fourth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southwest Michigan (Southwest #4), and appoints Superintendent Fred Lewis of Flint, Michigan as Jurisdictional Bishop.

Later in the Year...

September 30, 1992 — Bishop W.L. Harris entered the Church Triumphant. Superintendent John Henry Sheard is selected to serve as Jurisdictional Bishop of Southwest #1.

Bishop A.T. Harrison, prelate of the Ontario Canada Jurisdiction retires citing failing health, and is subsequently Emeritised by Presiding Bishop Louis H. Ford.

Administrative Assistant Lionel B. Riley of Amherstburg, Ontario was appointed to serve as Prelate of the Ontario Jurisdiction.

Superintendent Marvin Pryor of Saginaw, Michigan is elevated to the office of Bishop by Presiding Bishop C.D. Owens, and is appointed to serve as Prelate of the Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southwest Michigan.

September 15, 1999 — Bishop C.L. Anderson, Jr. entered the Church Triumphant. A new Jurisdiction is birthed out of the Great Lakes Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, and two new Bishops are selected by Presiding Bishop C.D. Owens, the General Board of the Church of God in Christ, and the pastors of Great Lakes to serve in each Jurisdiction.

Bishop Walter E. Bogan, Sr.—The First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Great Lakes Michigan.
Bishop Alfred M. Smith—The Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Great Lakes Michigan.

Presiding Bishop G.E. Patterson and the General Board approves the formation of a new Jurisdiction to be birthed out of the Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southwest Michigan. In March 2003, Superintendent Isaac King, Jr. of Inkster, Michigan was consecrated as Bishop of this Jurisdiction, the Southwest Agape Jurisdiction.

September 11, 2005—The Michigan/Ontario Council of Bishops and their Jurisdictions raise in excess of $113,000.00 for COGIC Charities, in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region, namely: New Orleans, Louisiana, Gulfport, Mississippi, and parts of Alabama.

November 14, 2005—Administrative Assistant Fred L. Cunningham (Western Michigan Jurisdiction), and Administrative Assistants David McCool Eubanks and James C. Scott, Sr. (Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction) are consecrated to the Bishopric during the 98th Annual Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. in Memphis, Tennessee.

Bishop Fred L. Cunningham—Prelate, Colombia Jurisdiction
Bishop David M. Eubanks—Prelate, Republic of Guyana
Bishop James C. Scott, Sr.—Auxiliary Bishop, Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction

January 8, 2006—Bishop Walter Emile Bogan, Sr. entered the Church Triumphant. Presiding Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson assumes leadership of Michigan's Great Lakes First Jurisdiction on an interim basis.

March 18, 2006—The pastors of Great Lakes First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, in a very peaceful meeting, select Administrative Assistant Clifford Dunlap (by acclamation) to succeed Bishop Walter Bogan as the presiding prelate of the Jurisdiction.

November 13, 2006—During the 99th Annual Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. in Memphis, Tennessee, Bishop Designate Clifford Caleb Dunlap is consecrated to the Bishopric, and will serve as Prelate of the Great Lakes First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. Bishop Roger L. Jones, Sr. receives an Episcopal Appointment to serve as Jurisdictional Prelate of the newly founded Michigan Southeast Jurisdiction.

March 20, 2007—Presiding Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson enters the Church Triumphant and is laid to rest on March 30, 2007, in Memphis, Tennessee. He is succeeded by Bishop Charles Edward Blake, Sr. of Los Angeles, California.

April 11, 2007—In the final session of the General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. in Memphis, Tennessee, Bishop P.A. Brooks is appointed to the Office of Second Assistant Presiding Bishop, and Bishop Earl J. Wright, Sr. ascends to the General Board of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. filling the vacancy created by the demise of Bishop G.E. Patterson.

November 12, 2007—The General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ confirmed Bishop Charles E. Blake as Presiding Bishop of the church (in a special election held in Memphis, TN after the close of the 100th Holy Convocation). Bishop Blake won with 2,986 votes. There were approximately 4,320 voting delegates present. Bishop Blake placed in nomination, the name of Bishop Phillip Aquilla Brooks, to the Episcopal Office of First Assistant Presiding Bishop, and the Civil Office of First Vice President of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., and the General Assembly of the Church did elect him to the office as prescribed by our Constitution.

December 15, 2007—Dr. Alfred D. Knight, Jr. of Detroit, MI is consecrated to the Bishopric at the hands of Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, and will serve as Prelate of the newly founded (approved by the General Assembly of the Church of God Christ, Inc.), Michigan Northwest Harvest Jurisdiction.

November 11, 2008—The General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ re-elected Bishop Charles E. Blake as Presiding Bishop of the church (in Memphis, TN after the close of the 101st Holy Convocation). Bishop Blake re-appointed Bishop Phillip Aquilla Brooks, to the Episcopal Office of First Assistant Presiding Bishop, and the Civil Office of First Vice President of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., and the General Assembly of the Church did elect him to the office as prescribed by our Constitution.

November 10, 2009—The Presiding Bishop and Presidium of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. recommended to members of the General Assembly at the 102nd Holy Convocation in Memphis, TN, the elevation of Superintendent James L. Whitehead, Jr. to the Office of Auxiliary Bishop, in Southwest Michigan Second Jurisdiction; and the General Assembly of the Church did approve his elevation to the office as prescribed by our Constitution.

January 2010—Bishop Herbert J. Williams, Sr., the founding prelate of North Central Michigan Jurisdiction, with support of Presiding Bishop Charles Blake, the General Board, and his family, announced his plan to answer the call of God to "step aside and allow someone else to drive", after nearly 35 years as the jurisdictional Prelate. Based on Bishop Williams' recommendation and the support of a majority of the Pastor's of the Jurisdiction, the Presiding Bishop and General Board accepted the nomination of Superintendent J. Drew Sheard as his successor.

February 22, 2010—Bishop Marvin C. Pryor entered the Church Triumphant. Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. assumes temporary leadership of Southwest Michigan Third Jurisdiction. Following the Homegoing Service on March 2, 2010, Superintendent Samuel Duncan, Jr. was nominated by acclamation, to succeed Bishop Pryor in a poll of the pastors of that Jurisdiction conducted by the Presiding Bishop.

April 2010—The Presiding Bishop and Presidium of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. recommended to members of the General Assembly in session at Memphis, Tennessee, the elevation of Superintendent J. Drew Sheard to the Office of Jurisdictional Bishop of the North Central Michigan Jurisdiction and Superintendent Samuel Duncan, Jr. to the Office of Jurisdictional Bishop of the Southwest Michigan Third Jurisdiction, and the General Assembly did approve their elevations to the respective Offices as prescribed by our Constitution.

August 29, 2010—By consent of the Presiding Bishop, the Superintendent John Drew Sheard, Sr. was consecrated to the Office of Jurisdictional Prelate, Michigan North Central Jurisdiction, at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit, Michigan.

November 15, 2010—During the 103rd Annual Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. in St. Louis, Missouri, Bishop Designate Samuel Duncan, Jr. is consecrated to the Bishopric, and will serve as Prelate of the Southwest Michigan Third Jurisdiction. The Bishop Designate James L. Whitehead, Jr. is consecrated to the Office of Auxiliary Bishop, Southwest Michigan Second Jurisdiction.

May 26, 2011—Bishop Clifford Caleb Dunlap entered the Church Triumphant. First Assistant Presiding Bishop P.A. Brooks assumes temporary leadership of Great Lakes Michigan First Jurisdiction.

August 10, 2011—Bishop Alfred Duane Knight, Jr. entered the Church Triumphant. First Assistant Presiding Bishop P.A. Brooks assumes temporary leadership of Michigan Northwestern Harvest Jurisdiction.

August 20, 2011— Administrave Assistant Micheal Eugene Hill was nominated to succeed Bishop Clifford C. Dunlap as Jurisdictional Prelate of the Great Lakes Michigan First Jurisdiction in a poll of the pastors of that jurisidiction conducted by First Assistant Presiding Bishop P.A. Brooks. His nomintion was confirmed by members of the General Board and the Presiding Bishop at a later date.

September 2011— During the Founder's Day Celebration of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia, the Presium of the church placed in nomination and approved the appointment of Dr. Rance L. Allen to the Office of Jurisdictional Prelate of the Michigan Northwestern Harvest Jurisdiction, succeeding the late Bishop A.D. Knight, Jr.

November 7, 2011 — During the 104th Annual Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. in St. Louis, Missouri, Bishop Designate Michael Eugene Hill is consecrated to the Bishopric, and will serve as Prelate of the Great Lakes Michigan First Jurisdiction. Bishop Designate Rance L. Allen is consecrated to the Bishopric, and will serve as Prelate of the Michigan Northwestern Harvest Jurisdiction. The Bishop Designate Welton L. Lawrence is consecrated to the Office of Auxiliary Bishop, Canadian-Michigan Jurisdiction.

November 8, 2012 — During the 105th Annual Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. in St. Louis, Missouri, Bishop John H. Sheard is re-elected Chairman of the National Board of Bishops.

November 11, 2012 — During the 105th Annual Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. in St. Louis, Missouri, Bishop Designate James Atterberry of Muskegon, Michigan is consecrated to the Office of Auxiliary Bishop, Colombia Jurisdiction.

November 13, 2012 — Bishop P.A. Brooks re-elceted to his eighth consecutive term four-year term on the General Board. Bishop Nathaniel W. Wells was re-elected, and Bishop J. Drew Sheard won election to his first term on the General Board.

The General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ re-elected Bishop Charles E. Blake as Presiding Bishop of the church (in St. Louis, MO after the close of the 105th Holy Convocation). Bishop Blake re-appointed Bishop Phillip Aquilla Brooks, to the Episcopal Office of First Assistant Presiding Bishop, and the Civil Office of First Vice President of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., and the General Assembly of the Church did elect him to the office as prescribed by our Constitution.

April 8, 2014 — The Presiding Bishop and Presidium of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. recommended to members of the General Assembly in session at Memphis, Tennessee, the elevation of Superintendent Dwight E. Walls, Sr. to the Office of Auxiliary Bishop of the Great Lakes Michigan Second Jurisdiction, and the General Assembly did approve his elevations as prescribed by our Constitution.

April 26, 2014 — The Bishops and Jurisdictions of Michigan and Ontario celebrate the 100th Year of the Church Of God In Christ in the State of Michigan.

May 29, 2014 — In the May session of the General Board in the City of Louisville, Kentucky, First Assistant Presiding Bishop P.A. Brooks submitted the name of Administrative Assistant Robert E. Smith, Sr. for elevation to the Office of Auxiliary Bishop. The Presiding Bishop and General Board unanimously approved the recommendation.

Sunday, June 1, 2014 — Bishop Elton Allen Lawrence entered the Church Triumphant at 97 years of age. First Assistant Presiding Bishop P.A. Brooks assumes temporary leadership of the Canada-Michigan Jurisdiction until such time as an official Episcopal Appointment is made.

Friday, June 6, 2014 — Bishop Elton Lawrence was laid to rest in Detroit, Michigan. In a meeting with the Presiding Bishop and members of the General Board, Pastors of the Canada-Michigan Jurisdictionplaced their support behind Bishop Welton L. Lawrence to succedd his father as Prelate of the Jurisdiction.

November 9, 2014 — During the 107th Annual Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. in St. Louis, Missouri, Bishop Welton Lee Lawrence officially receives the Episcopal Appointment to the Office of Jurisdictional Prelate, Canada-Michigan Jurisdiction. Bishop Designate Percy Wabi Henderson, II of Detroit, Michigan is consecrated to the Office of Auxiliary Bishop, Great Lakes Michigan Second Jurisdiction. Bishop Designate William Nichols of Muskegon, Michigan is consecrated to the Office of Auxiliary Bishop, Western Michigan Jurisdiction. Bishop Designate Robert Earl Smith, Sr. of Flint, Michigan is consecrated to the Office of Auxiliary Bishop, The Historic First Jurisdiction of Michigan Jurisdiction. National Trustee Board Chairman, Bishop Designate Dwight E. Walls, Sr. of Ypsilanti, Michigan is consecrated to the Office of Auxiliary Bishop, Great Lakes Michigan Second Jurisdiction.

The Bishops of Michigan and Ontario, Canada and their respective Jurisdictions Celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Church of God in Christ in the State of Michigan

The Bishops of Michigan and Ontario, Canada and their respective Jurisdictions Celebrate the 90th Anniversary
of the
Church of God in Christ in the State of Michigan