Church History

Original church of god louisville

New Creation OCG

The Church was established in 1931 at Eleventh and Jefferson St. It moved to 538 South 16th Street in 1940, and began to grow under very capable and spiritual pastoral leaders. The doctrine of Holiness and Sanctification was being taught and preached as the biblical standard of the Christian life. The house was torn down and a new building was erected at the 16th Street location. The Lord continued to bless the membership and the work of the church. As the years passed, in 1975 opposition to the doctrine of the OCOG began to be taught and preached and as a result, after many meetings with officials, and praying and pleading not to dis-fellowship a division occurred. In 1986, under the pastorship of the late Elder John Cummings, the church resumed fellowship with the OCOG National Body of churches. In September of 1991, due to Urban Renewal Redevelopment we lost our building at 538 South 16th Street. The building went down but God wanted His church to march on. We thank St.Anthony Catholic Church and the Magazine Street Seventh-day Adventist Church for the use of their facilities during our time of transition.

The Lord favored and blessed us with our present location on March 7, 1993. We are grateful for the saving of souls, the changing of lives, the preached word, the fellowship of the believers, and the faithful ministry over the years. After many years of separation the Lord saw fit to reunite the two congregations of Clay Street and Kentucky Street OCOG in October 2006. We praise God for the memory, life, and legacy of our former pastor, the late Bishop Albert Jones, who lovingly and faithfully served as pastor for 24 years until his transition to Glory in October 2015. We also honor mother Elsie Jones for her continued love and support throughout the years.

We are thankful for our current pastor, Elder Gerald A. Jones, and Lady Crystal Jones and their sons. We appreciate the commitment to the Lord, and their guidance and leadership to our church family. A special thanks to our associate Elders, Ministers and to all pass and present members for their dedication and support.

We praise God for this our 87th year as a Church Family and our 25th year at our current location. To God be the glory for the things He has done! We thank God for those who have labored, sacrificed, prayed and served down through the years on behalf of this wonderful church family. Their work and labor of love have not been in vain. We will continue to be a church that’s loving God, serving Christ, strengthening families, and proclaiming the Gospel.

National Historical Statement

(Taken from the Church Manual of the Original Church Of God or Sanctified Church)

This Church was perceived by Jesus Christ at Caesarea Philippi; the organization of which was completed at Pentecost, A.D. 33. In the year, to wit, 1900, a doctrine predicated on Sanctification and Holiness, began to be preached within the confines of the State of Tennessee and spread into other States by Elder C.W. Gray. It was in Maury County, Columbia, Tennessee that Elder Gray began preaching the truths and beliefs pf the Bible that founded this Christian Assembly.

The preaching and teaching of the Gospel as claimed and delivered by Eld C.W. Gray and other Ministers of the Church of God or Sanctified Church has inculcated in the minds and in the hearts of men and women throughout this land and country that this, the Church of God as it now exists, is the connection or remnant of the Church which was fully established at Pentecost.

The teaching of the Scriptures upon which the Church is founded is compatible and commensurate with the teaching by Christ and His Apostles. Such teaching is accepted in and practiced by this great Body of Saints in Christ. This Church is in form and in function a quasi-governmental organization, having all the essentials of the land and , therefore, all matters peculiar thereto and which affect the brethren therein, should be settled within the Church.

Within the span of twenty-five years a large staff of Ministers, both men and women, were added to the work. Also through evangelism a large group of Churches were established in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, the Canal Zone and the British West indies. The Organization was known as “The Church of God or Sanctified Church.” In 1927 a division was experienced over certain issues. A legal statement was put into effect. All of the foreign Churches and some of the Churches in the States went with the other brethren.

As a result of the division we have the name “The Original Church of God or Sanctified Church.” Elder Gray selected Elder William Crosby of Chicago, Illinois to be the presiding Chairman of the Conventions. Elder Crosby labored long and successfully under the leadership of Elder Gray. We were bereaved by the passing of Elder Gray in 1945. During the career of Elder Crosby, he is credited with writing a “Handbook of The Church of God”. “The Duties of the State Overseers” and “The Duty of the National Trustees.” Elder Crosby passed from labor to reward in 1952. The Annual Convention is conducted each year at the Headquarters of The Original Church of God or Sanctified Church (Tabernacle), 1803 County Hospital Road Nashville, TN.

The saints meet for two convocations each year. The June Convocation meets at various locations the Thursday before the fourth Sunday. The Annual Convocation convenes at the headquarters in Nashville the Thursday before the second Sunday in August and concludes on that Sunday.