After moving to Memphis and establishing it as the headquarters of COGIC, Bishop Mason founded and pastored the Temple COGIC.

Bishop Mason traveled the length and breadth of the country preaching and establishing COGIC churches.

In addition to his own efforts, Bishop Mason sent dozens of charismatic preachers and evangelists to major cities and urban areas north and west to spread COGIC including William Roberts ( Chicago ), O. M.

At the time of Bishop Mason's death in 1961, COGIC had spread to every state in the Union and to many foreign countries with a membership of more than 400, 000 and more than 4000 churches.

The growth of COGIC at the time of Bishop Mason's death gives credence to his untiring efforts to teach and preach the Pentecostal-Holiness message and his exceptional leadership in building a comprehensive organization fulfilling the prophetic vision of COGIC that Holiness would cover the Earth.

Bishop Jones was pastor of the Holy Temple COGIC in Philadelphia and jurisdictional bishop of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Jurisdiction.

COGIC drafted and approved a new constitution that dissolved the office of the Senior Bishop and the Executive Board and created the office of the Presiding Bishop and a General Board who would be elected every four years to preside over the church.

On November 14, 1968, the General Assembly of COGIC elected the first General Board and Presiding Bishop of the church.

The most notable rift occurred in 1969 when 14 bishops met in Evanston, IL left COGIC to form the Church of God in Christ, International because they disagreed with the electoral process in selecting the Presiding Bishop.

Jones Sr, did not leave COGIC after losing of his position as Senior Bishop.

COGIC had endured a season of tests and trials during the Dark Period, but was now positioned to triumph under the visionary leadership of the newly elected Presiding Bishop.

Bishop Patterson pastored the Pentecostal Temple Institutional COGIC in Memphis, TN, and was the presiding prelate of the Tennessee Headquarters Jurisdiction.

Bishop Ford pastored the St. Paul COGIC in Chicago, IL and was the presiding prelate of the Historic Illinois First Jurisdiction.

A son of the ministry of Bishop Mason, Bishop Ford dedicated himself to returning COGIC to its emphasis on basic " Holiness ".

Bishop Ford officiated the funeral and gave the eulogy for Emmett Till at Robert's Temple COGIC in 1955.

Bishop Ford is most notably credited with bringing President Bill Clinton, who was a personal friend and the only U. S. president to ever physically address COGIC at Mason Temple, during the Eighty-Sixth International Holy Convocation on November 13, 1993.

Bishop Chandler David Owens was groomed for leadership of COGIC and was elected after the death of Bishop Ford in 1995, he became the Presiding Bishop.

Bishop Owens was a noted evangelist of the church and pastored several churches including: Bostick Temple in St. Louis, MO ; Well's Cathedral COGIC in Newark, NJ ; and Greater Community COGIC in Marietta, GA.

Mason established the St. Paul Church in Lexington, MS which became the first and oldest COGIC congregation in the world.

Later in 1897, while in Little Rock, AR, Mason believed that God had given him such a name for the group, the " Church of God in Christ " ( COGIC ).

Upon his return to Tennessee from the Azusa Street Revival, Mason began preaching and teaching the Pentecostal message in COGIC congregations.

Later that same year, Mason called a meeting in Memphis, Tennessee, and reorganized the Church of God in Christ ( COGIC ) as a Pentecostal-Holiness body.

During the formative stages of COGIC, Bishop Mason organized departments to further support the work of the church as it continued to grow and expand.

Mother Coffey was a child convert to COGIC under the preaching of Bishop Mason.

Today COGIC operates the All Saints Bible College, Memphis, TN, the C. H. Mason system of Bible Colleges, and the C. H. Mason Theological Seminary, an institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools ( ATS ) and part of a consortium of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

The name Church of God in Christ was widely held by both groups until 1915, when Bishop C. H. Mason had the name COGIC, incorporated.

She soon became a favored singer-pianist of the founder, Bishop Charles Mason and was well utilized in the COGIC circles.

He had led COGIC for 54 years.

The question of executive authority and succession for COGIC was finally resolved.

Known for his eloquent and extensive vocabulary, astute entrepreneural skills, and organizational leadership, Bishop Owens led COGIC in its centennial celebration in 1997 with the theme, " Holiness, a Proven Foundation for a Promising Future!

Bishop Owens had outlined a progressive plan to positon COGIC for ministry in the 21st Century known as " Vision 2000 and Beyond.

Antonio Burke, pastor for the Center of Love Church of God in Christ ( COGIC ), leads Sailors from amphibious transport dock USS Nashville ( LPD-13 ) in a prayer before building a house for Habitat for Humanity in Norfolk, Va.

At this meeting, held in Memphis, headquarters for COGIC, the PCCNA was formed as an inclusive organization including all the major Pentecostal groups in North America regardless of race.

As a Pentecostal church, COGIC believes that Speaking in tongues is the consequence of Spirit baptism and is given to believers who ask for it.

As a Pentecostal church, COGIC believes that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is an experience subsequent to salvation and can be experienced by all believers who ask for it.

When she died in 1945, she had laid an impressive foundation for the women's ministry in COGIC.

She also established the Mattie McGlothen Library and Museum in Richmond, CA as a resource for COGIC historical facts and memorabilia.

As COGIC continued to grow, it became necessary for the various departments to convene annually to conduct the business unique to their ministries.

Every year in November, the members of the COGIC meet in the Edward Jones Dome for the official Sunday morning service of their Holy Convocation.

In 1921 Bell left Atkins to become a travelling evangelist for the Church of God in Christ ( COGIC ).

She incorporated a syncopated, ragtime style in her gospel accompaniment and soon established the songs " I Shall Wear A Crown ," " My Soul's a Witness for the Lord ," and " Lamb's Blood Has Washed Me Clean " as COGIC standards .< REF NAME =" COGICPatheos "> COGIC Women in Gospel Music on Patheos

In the 1970s, after Ruth, who was affectionately called Baby Sis, had passed, their agent booked the group into Washington Temple COGIC in Brooklyn, New York for a concert.

UCG has experienced a number of minor schisms in its history, such as David Hulme's departure to form COGIC and Ron Weinland's to start Church of God Preparing for the Kingdom of God.

She has been associated with the Crouch family and the music department of Christ Memorial COGIC in California for many years.