UNITED HOLY CHURCH OF AMERICA, INC

UNITED HOLY CHURCH OF AMERICA, INC.

The birthing of the New England District:

In early 1924, Bishop J. W. Houston came from Philadelphia, PA to meet with and organize a small group of saints. These were people, without a church home seeking the way of life promulgated by the United Holy Church of America called Holiness.

 

Bishop Houston's leadership led to the 1st Convocation of the New England District in 1925. The meetings convened at the 12th Baptist Church in Boston, since none of the churches had adequate space to hold the meeting.  Bishop Houston sent for Elder Bromfield Johnson to conduct revival services.  This was the beginning of Bethel Tabernacle which Elder Johnson pastored.  Mother Cora O'Bryant begin a mission which evolved into 1st Pentecostal.

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In 1928, Bishop Houston moves on to spread the teachings of the United Holy Church of America to the Mid-Western States:  Upon Bishop Houston's departure, Bishop G. J. Branch was appointed District President, with Bishop E. B. Lyons serving as his Vice-President.  During these years, the district continued to grow.  The following churches were added:

House of the Lord #1, Elder & Sis. Franklin, Pastors - Boston, MA

St. Beulah, Rev. L. I. Liggons, Pastor - Boston, MA

Emmanuel Holy Church, Rev. Ora Faulk, Pastor  - New London, CT

 

In1931, one of the greatest revivals ever held was conducted in Boston, MA by 

Elder M. B. Littles: One year following the revival, Elder Little launched a church called Little's Temple. In order to devote more time to the church and to the other church she pastored in Philadelphia, Elder Littles relinguished the church to Elder Charles Green 1940. 

 

Also that year, Elder C. M Harris of Brockton, MA brought Mount Olive Pentecostal in Worcester, MA into the New England District. 

 

Wayside Good News Church - pastored by Mother Hunter was added in Providence as well as many churches in other cities.  By 1946, there were twelve churches in the district.  During this period several of the Boston churches consolidated for the purpose of acquiring property, this lead to the formation of Holy Temple, Boston.

 

1949 Bishop E. B. Lyons became President of the District and Bishop David

Channer served as his Vice President. This administration was follow by that of Bishop J. C. Fisher. During this time the scope of district churches changed with churches growing in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport - Mount Hope #1, 2 and 3. Mount Hope #2 and #3 later became Ebenezer Temple and True Pentecostal.

 

Bishop Jeremiah Covington became District President in 1960. Bishop James M. Sneed served as his Vice President. Bishop Covington was the 1st Pastor from the New England District to become the Bishop of the District.  During his the Mission Stations in Africa and the Islands. Ecumenical Mission (which later became Salem Community Mission) was added to the District.  He left the District a legacy of giving.  After his death in 1990, Bishop J. T. Bowens then served as Interim President.

 

1992 Bishop Lowell E. Edney became the President of the New England District. He was the 1st New England native to rise to this office. Bishop John C. Wright, Vice President and Dr. Eunice Allen, 2nd Vice President completed this administration.  Bishop Edney noted that over the years, churches in several cities disappeared for various reasons. It was his desire to reclaim those areas for the United Holy Church of America.  In 1998, the Spirit of Evangelism was stirred in the District.  In August of 1998, Elder Herbert Chambers challenged us with a plan for District Expansion which led to the formation of the Executive District Development Committee (EDDC), whose task it was to chart and pursue areas for expansion. This group, led by then Elder Victor J. Rush, began on an uncharted course called Project Providence.  Beginning with demographic studies of the area and Weekly Bible Studies, this led to the Providence Crusade.  Combining both old and new methods of evangelism this process eventually led to the founding of Holy Zion United Holy Church in Providence, Rhode Island, where Elder Donovan C. Woodruff serves as Pastor. The membership of the New England District supported this effort with a Year of Sacrifice. Unanimously, all officers donated their stipends and offerings to this cause as well as all Speakers' offerings in District meetings. Sacrifice of this magnitude is unprecedented in the history of the United Holy Church of America.  In July, 2000, the Lord called Bishop Edney home during the 75th Annual Convocation but his legacy lives on.

 

Bishop Wright assumed the Presidency at the passing of Bishop Edney.  Under his leadership the EDDC has evolved to SDIC (Strategic Development Initiative Committee).  The SDIC is a group of appointed individuals, who are appointed by the administration to strategize, develop and implement the vision and program of the District.  Dr. Allen continued to serve until her passing.  Since that time, Bishop Victor J. Rush has been elected to the Vice Presidency and Elder Donovan C. Woodruff as 2nd Vice President.  It is this administration’s desire to continue the legacy of district expansion established by Bishop Edney, expanding from the inside out.  At present we are 15 churches strong and growing with the addition of Hope UHC located in Brockton, Massachusetts under the leadership of Elder James and Lynette Harrell; A Place to Heal Ministries, Inc. located in Cambridge, Massachusetts under the leadership Rev. Dr. Lynda Jordan and Power of the Almighty God located in Waterbury, Connecticut under the leadership of Elder Michael Johnson. 

 

Together we will strive for excellence to please the Lord as we serve the people of God.  We will continue to carry out the Vision of the New England District UHC:

“To reach the world and the lost for Christ; to grow the District from the inside out; to help every individual to reach their full potential, purpose and life fulfillment in Christ” – Ephesians 4:11-12- “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”