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Section of the Clergy attending the 2005 Convocation
Below. Bishop C.H.Mason visited Jamaica in the 50 s
Below. Bishop C.H.Mason visited Jamaica in the 50 s
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BRIEF HISTORY
COGIC History
The history of the Church of God in Christ in Jamaica goes back to the year 1919 when one
Elder Alfred Cunningham came to our Shores from the United States with the Pentecostal
doctrine, and preaching of the Church of God in Christ as taught by the late founder Bishop
C.H. Mason.
Since then the church experienced a number of ups and downs under many leaders. Most
of the Leaders lived in the United States and were unable to act immediately when
problems arose. As a result the church lost as many as 50 churches at one time. These
churches broke away to join other denominations.
Bishop W.A. Kates was appointed to have the oversight of the churches on the Island.
Property was bought at 4 Nelson Road, Kingston 13 that was used as the Headquarters of
the movement.
After the demise of the Bishop Kates the property was sold to another group that still held
the name Church of God in Christ.
History made mention of one Bishop E.R. Driver who came to Jamaica and was for some
time in charge of the Churches. During these periods not much mention was made of
church growth or expansion. The emphasis was mainly focused on Leadership.
Sometime in the year 1963 the Bishop Ivor F. S. Rowe was sent to Jamaica, since he was
a native of Jamaica residing in the States, to see about the welfare of the Churches.
During that same year, another group was in the act of Incorporating Church of God in
Christ . This group however had their charter done with one Bishop Dawkins of Panama.
In 1976 Bishop Ivor Rowe also incorporated The Church of God in Christ with International
Headquarters in Memphis Tennessee. This act was seen by others as an act of rivalry with
other groups. This move however did not serve to unite the already fragmented work, but
further divide it. There were those who claimed to be the original Church of God in Christ,
and distanced themselves from the others.
Under Bishop Rowe’s leadership property was bought in the City of Kingston to house the
Headquarters of the Church. This property was located at 14 Fairway avenue. Because of
legal restraints the church had to relocate to the present address, 25 Mountain View
Avenue, Kingston 2.
Our Headquarters building is now 75 percent completed. Since the Churches were always
struggling for survival and financial help, they were always vulnerable to any one who would
come and promise to help. It was this kind of movement which saw yet another break
away. Some of the Churches broke away and took on the name Church of God in Christ
United. This move was another subtle plan to divide and gain power by making
promises. Jamaica is located in the Caribbean Sea. Every year the Island is exposed
to the ravages of Hurricanes. Often times when damages occur as a result of winds and
flooding , very little or no help is forth coming, leaving some people to wonder whether or
not we do have a Headquarters.
During Bishop’s tenure, there was a merger with the Church of God Ground of Truth under
the late Overseer S. N. Golding. This merger went on for a while, until disagreements arose
over where the Headquarters should be located. A division took place which saw some of
the churches going back from whence they came, while others chose to stay.
In September of 1988 after Hurricane Gilbert devastated most of the church buildings the
Bishop Ivor Rowe went to be with the Lord.
Serving with the late Bishop Rowe as Supervisor of the Women’s department was the late
Mother Ruth Barron.
Mother E.N. Fizer served for a period of time, and then Mother Ruth Barron succeeded her.
Mother Julia Burton took over from Mother Barron and served the Jurisdiction until 1993.
In November of 1989 Bishop Harold A. Haughton was consecrated by the late Bishop J. O.
Patterson, Sr. and given the mantle to oversee the Jurisdiction of the Church of God in
Christ, in Jamaica. There are some thirty-four churches in the Jurisdiction, with seven
Superintendents and twenty Pastors.
Mother Julia Burton served as the supervisor of women, along with Bishop Haughton for a
period. Mother Rebecca Gordon, then took over the leadership of the department of
women, assisted by District Missionary Daisy King, until the appointment of Supervisor
Beverly Joyner in 2003. Mother Joyner served for a short period and was succeeded, by
Mother Daisy L. King, who presently serves as head of the department of women.
Churches are located in 10 of 14 Parishes on the Island. Eighty percent of the properties
are owned by the Church of God in Christ. It is our desire to plant churches in all 14
Parishes, and to uphold the name of the Church of God in Christ.
There are five basic schools in different locations in the Jurisdiction. The attendance is 60
Students per School. Ages from 3 to 6 years. Because some parents are unable to provide
a hot meal for the students, the government is subsidising the meals. After leaving the
church school they go on to the Government school system to further their education.
We believe it a very sound investment in that the church can teach our children the way of
the Lord at such an early age. Click on our education link, for more information.
The jurisdiction is bonded by the constitution of the international body. We drafted our own
bylaws, for the jurisdiction in accordance with the governmental requirements.
H.A.Haughton, Bishop
The history of the Church of God in Christ in Jamaica goes back to the year 1919 when one
Elder Alfred Cunningham came to our Shores from the United States with the Pentecostal
doctrine, and preaching of the Church of God in Christ as taught by the late founder Bishop
C.H. Mason.
Since then the church experienced a number of ups and downs under many leaders. Most
of the Leaders lived in the United States and were unable to act immediately when
problems arose. As a result the church lost as many as 50 churches at one time. These
churches broke away to join other denominations.
Bishop W.A. Kates was appointed to have the oversight of the churches on the Island.
Property was bought at 4 Nelson Road, Kingston 13 that was used as the Headquarters of
the movement.
After the demise of the Bishop Kates the property was sold to another group that still held
the name Church of God in Christ.
History made mention of one Bishop E.R. Driver who came to Jamaica and was for some
time in charge of the Churches. During these periods not much mention was made of
church growth or expansion. The emphasis was mainly focused on Leadership.
Sometime in the year 1963 the Bishop Ivor F. S. Rowe was sent to Jamaica, since he was
a native of Jamaica residing in the States, to see about the welfare of the Churches.
During that same year, another group was in the act of Incorporating Church of God in
Christ . This group however had their charter done with one Bishop Dawkins of Panama.
In 1976 Bishop Ivor Rowe also incorporated The Church of God in Christ with International
Headquarters in Memphis Tennessee. This act was seen by others as an act of rivalry with
other groups. This move however did not serve to unite the already fragmented work, but
further divide it. There were those who claimed to be the original Church of God in Christ,
and distanced themselves from the others.
Under Bishop Rowe’s leadership property was bought in the City of Kingston to house the
Headquarters of the Church. This property was located at 14 Fairway avenue. Because of
legal restraints the church had to relocate to the present address, 25 Mountain View
Avenue, Kingston 2.
Our Headquarters building is now 75 percent completed. Since the Churches were always
struggling for survival and financial help, they were always vulnerable to any one who would
come and promise to help. It was this kind of movement which saw yet another break
away. Some of the Churches broke away and took on the name Church of God in Christ
United. This move was another subtle plan to divide and gain power by making
promises. Jamaica is located in the Caribbean Sea. Every year the Island is exposed
to the ravages of Hurricanes. Often times when damages occur as a result of winds and
flooding , very little or no help is forth coming, leaving some people to wonder whether or
not we do have a Headquarters.
During Bishop’s tenure, there was a merger with the Church of God Ground of Truth under
the late Overseer S. N. Golding. This merger went on for a while, until disagreements arose
over where the Headquarters should be located. A division took place which saw some of
the churches going back from whence they came, while others chose to stay.
In September of 1988 after Hurricane Gilbert devastated most of the church buildings the
Bishop Ivor Rowe went to be with the Lord.
Serving with the late Bishop Rowe as Supervisor of the Women’s department was the late
Mother Ruth Barron.
Mother E.N. Fizer served for a period of time, and then Mother Ruth Barron succeeded her.
Mother Julia Burton took over from Mother Barron and served the Jurisdiction until 1993.
In November of 1989 Bishop Harold A. Haughton was consecrated by the late Bishop J. O.
Patterson, Sr. and given the mantle to oversee the Jurisdiction of the Church of God in
Christ, in Jamaica. There are some thirty-four churches in the Jurisdiction, with seven
Superintendents and twenty Pastors.
Mother Julia Burton served as the supervisor of women, along with Bishop Haughton for a
period. Mother Rebecca Gordon, then took over the leadership of the department of
women, assisted by District Missionary Daisy King, until the appointment of Supervisor
Beverly Joyner in 2003. Mother Joyner served for a short period and was succeeded, by
Mother Daisy L. King, who presently serves as head of the department of women.
Churches are located in 10 of 14 Parishes on the Island. Eighty percent of the properties
are owned by the Church of God in Christ. It is our desire to plant churches in all 14
Parishes, and to uphold the name of the Church of God in Christ.
There are five basic schools in different locations in the Jurisdiction. The attendance is 60
Students per School. Ages from 3 to 6 years. Because some parents are unable to provide
a hot meal for the students, the government is subsidising the meals. After leaving the
church school they go on to the Government school system to further their education.
We believe it a very sound investment in that the church can teach our children the way of
the Lord at such an early age. Click on our education link, for more information.
The jurisdiction is bonded by the constitution of the international body. We drafted our own
bylaws, for the jurisdiction in accordance with the governmental requirements.
H.A.Haughton, Bishop
| Bishop Harold A. Haughton and Miss Veleta Haughton |
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