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The United Holy Church of America, Inc., is an outgrowth of the great revival that began with the early outpouring
of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, when the 120 disciples were gathered together in a room in Jerusalem
as they had been instructed by Christ and proclaim His Gospel was given at that time. The Church was born and
grew from that moment forward. Thus, the Church is "…built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets,
Jesus Christ, Himself, being the chief cornerstone.” (Eph. 2:20)
At irregular intervals during the intervening centuries, great revivals have occurred in various sections of the world.
Those revivals and any others of substance are the result of divine energy being poured out in unfettered measure
to the people of God as it was experienced on the day of Pentecost.
Toward the end of the nineteenth century and the early part of the twentieth century, a great revival took place in
this country. It was during this time of refreshing that repentance, regeneration, and holiness of heart and life were
preached with tremendous results. The revival fires that swept through the Southern part of the United States and
over the West Coast also created the fervor and inspiration that brought the United Holy Church of America into
existence. Originally, there was no desire on the part of the founders to establish another denomination, but they
were forced out of organized churches because of their experience of holiness and their testimony of the Spirit-
filled life.
It became necessary for these persons who had testimonies of being saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy
Spirit, to have continuing contact with each other for mutual edification and comfort. As a result, many independent
churches were established, and associations formed where people could feel free to seek God, not only to be
genuinely saved, but also to be definitely sanctified.
On the first Sunday in May 1886, at the village town of Method, North Carolina, a suburb of the capital city of
Raleigh, North Carolina, a company of men met, among whom were; Brothers L. M. Mason, G.A. Mials, Issac
Cheshier and H.C. Snipes, all of Raleigh. This meeting was conducted by the Rev. Cheshier, and was the first
of its kind in the state of North Carolina and the Southern United States. This meeting gave birth to what is now
known as the United Holy Church of America, Inc.
On October 13, 1894, in the city of Durham, North Carolina, the first convocation was organized. Those present
were G.A. Mials, H.C. Snipes and S.S. Freeman, all of Raleigh, North Carolina; present also was G.W. Roberts
of Durham, North Carolina, and L.M. Mason of Method, North Carolina. On October 15, 1900, a convention
was called by the Rev. C.C. Craig to meet at Durham, North Carolina, to prepare a discipline for the government
of the churches. Those present at this meeting were; H.C. Pettiford, H.C. Snipes, L.M. Mason, G.W. Roberts,
Mrs. Emma E. Craig, and Mrs. L.J. Roberts.
The church was first known as the "Holy Church of North Carolina", and later as the "Holy Church of North
Carolina and Virginia". In September of 1916, in a Convocation assembled at Oxford, North Carolina, the
name was changed to the United Holy Church of America. On September 25, 1918, the Church was
incorporated in the state of North Carolina under the name of the United Holy Church of America Incorporated.
The Southern District of the United Holy Church of America came into being in the year 1894 in the city of Durham,
North Carolina. This was the first and the largest of all the districts in the connection. It was organized by Elders
C.C. Craig, L.M. Mason, George W. Roberts, H.C. Snipes, and H.C. Pettiford, along with Mother E.E. Craig,
and Mrs. L.J. Roberts. Elder L.M. Mason was chosen as its first president. The work of the church has steadily
grown since that time into a great organization.
In June of 1920, in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bishop H.L. Fisher and Bishop G.J. Branch, along with
other general officers, met at a call-meeting of the independent group of Holy Churches in this city and nearby towns,
and after meditation and prayer proceeded to organize the churches into a district know as the Northern District
Convocation of the United Holy Church of America, Inc. Bishop G.J. Branch of Goldsboro, North Carolina was
chosen as the president of the district embracing the following states; New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Following this, in 1924, in the city of Columbus, Ohio, at the Gospel Tabernacle Church, whose pastor was
Elder John E. Harris, the Northwestern District was organized into a District Convocation by Bishop G.J. Branch,
Bishop H.L. Fisher, and Bishop J.D. Diggs, along with other General officers of the Church. Bishop J.D. Diggs
of Winston-Salem, North Carolina was chosen as its first president. Other officers were; Bishop H.H. Hairston
and Bishop S.G. McCoy. The states comprising this district were: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia,
Western Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Eastern Illinois.
The New England District, embracing the states of the New England area, was organized in August of 1925.
Bishop J.W. Houston was chosen as the first president of this district.
The Central Western District was organized in 1930. The organizers were Bishop J.W. Houston, Elder Otis E.
Evans, Mother Addie Houston, and Mother Susie Evans.
The work of the United Holy Church on the Pacific Coast was originally known as the Union of California United
Holy Churches in 1924. In 1936, this district was known as the Pacific Coast District. The name was later
changed to the Western District. The first headquarters for the district was in Los Angeles, and later in San
Francisco. Bishop Henry Lee Fisher worked as the chief organizer of this district.
The West Virginia District was organized in 1935 through the work of Bishop J.D. Diggs after being separated
from the Northwestern District the previous year.
The Southeastern District, originally known as the Florida-Georgia District, was organized in 1948 by Bishop
G.J. Branch.
The Bermuda District, covering the entire island of Bermuda, was organized in 1921 by Bishop Henry Lee Fisher.
Associated with him in this effort were Elders Thomas Trott, C. H. Caisey and Patrick Mills, and Miss Majorie Trott.
In the early history of the Barbados District, Evangelist Rosa B. Hawkins of San Francisco, California, organized
five churches on the island of Barbados; however, these churches later joined with another Pentecostal body.
The churches in Barbados that are presently a part of The United Holy Church of America were organized by the
late Bishop Harry Townsend Gentles. He founded Mt. Olive United Holy Church in 1949, and it later became
the headquarters church for the District. Bishop Gentles brought together some independent churches and organized
new ones as well. These churches have grown into the present-day Barbados District.
The Virginia District was organized by Bishop W.N. Strobhar. Bishop Thomas E. Talley was appointed the first
president, and Bishop S. G. McCoy served as vice president. The first convocation was held in August of 1969
in Portsmouth, Virginia, and Mrs. Elsie Harris served as its first secretary.
So December 10, 1969, at Fisher Memorial United Holy Church in Durham, North Carolina, the Western North
Carolina District was organized by Bishop W.N. Strobhar and other General officers. Bishop A.W. Lawson was
appointed the first president, and Bishop N.M. Midgett was chosen to serve as vice president.
The Central Pacific District was founded in March of 2005 with Bishop Rafael Fortier, Jr., as its first president.
The district began with its headquarters in San Francisco, California.
From January 1927 to March 1975, the Church experienced a breach in its Certificate of Incorporation. Through
a Certificate of Rescission and a resolution passed at a General meeting, the Certificate of Incorporation was
amended to allow the Church to exist as a perpetual institution. The Church's corporate status as a non-profit
religious organization now exists in perpetuity. The Tenth Article of the 1918 Certificate of Incorporation was
amended to reflect this change.
In 1977, the Church experienced a division when the Southern District Convocation, located in Goldsboro,
North Carolina withdrew from fellowship with the parent body. However, in May of 2000 in the city of
Greensboro, North Carolina, the Southern District Convocation was gloriously reunited with the connectional
body at the Quadrennial Session. Today, the great connection of The United Holy Church of America, Inc., marches on.
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To view the entire Historical and
Doctrinal Foundations of the
Church History
use the scroll bar on the right
The church logo or emblem
(above) was designed by Bishop
Norris N. Dickerson, former
president of the Bermuda
District. Bishop Dickerson
originally designed the logo in
1971 in connection with the 50th
anniversary of the founding of
the Bermuda District.
In preparation for the 100th
anniversary of the General
Church, the Centennial
Committee issued a request for
submission of a logo for the
United Holy Church of America,
Inc. The design offer by Bishop
Dickerson was chosen from
among those submitted.
The emblem represents the
united of the church and the unity
of all believers. The circles
represent our connectedness
without beginning or ending. The
triangle represents each
member of the Trinity; the Father
, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
who
are equal in substance, power,
and wisdom. The cross
represents the redemptive work
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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THE CHURCH COLORS
The colors of purple, gold and
white were selected during the
Centennial celebration as the
official colors of The United Holy
Church of America, Inc. The
late
Mrs. Clara Washington Bowens,
wife of the late Bishop Joseph T.
Bowens, suggested the colors.
Bishop Bowens served as
President of the United Holy
Church of America, Inc., during
our Centennial Celebration.
Symbolically, Purple is
associated with royalty and
represents the royal priesthood
of all believers, Gold, a precious
metal, represents nobility, and
white represents the purity of
the saints and the church.
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