HISTORY OF FIFTH ILLINOIS JURISDICTION
IN 1966 - THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST after the death of its founder, Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, suffered /experienced a great division among its leaders.
Bishop Freeman Guy Green was appointed Overseer/Bishop over 5th Illinois Jurisdiction in 1966.
His Administrative Assistants were:
• Elder Bennie Goodwin
• Elder Luke Austin
Bishop Green chose Mother Mary Davis as the Supervisor of Women of 5th Illinois Jurisdiction’s Women’s Department.
Shortly after Bishop Green’s appointment he appointed the now Bishop Edward RD Goodwin, President of the Youth Department; Mother Leanna Jackson served as the Youth Department Chairlady.
At the demise of Bishop Green, Bishop Bennie Goodwin was appointed Bishop of 5th Illinois Jurisdiction.
The church at 10920 South Princeton, Chicago, Illinois was purchased to house the jurisdiction’s “State Temple”.
Bishop Bennie Goodwin’s successor was:
• Bishop Samuel S. McCarthy
In 1972-73 – The Charles Harrison Mason Bible College was organized.
Elder Edward Goodwin serviced as the Dean and Evangelist Lillie English served as Asst Dean.
Many pastors did not support the school and student had to slip-off/ unbeknown to their pastors to take classes. The pastors did not believe a person who says he was called to preach should not have to take classes. They believed that if God called you to preach, then He would give you what to say. Some believed “that if you opened your mouth, God/Holy Ghost would fill it.” They believed that “whom he called, He qualified.
At the demise of Bishop McCarthy, the jurisdiction was split, becoming 5th Illinois Jurisdiction-West, which Adminstrative Assistant James E. Washington was appointed Prelate Bishop; and 5th Illinois Jurisdiction-East, which Adminstrative Assistant James C. Austin was appointed Prelate Bishop.