Origin & Development

The Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. had its beginning during the era of the “Holiness Movement” in the United States.

The DIVINE COMMAND to call a Holiness Convocation was given to the Late Bishop, then Elder, Charles Price Jones in 1896. The first convention was held June 6, 1897. The main features of that first convention were: Bible Study, Prayer in and for the Holy Spirit, Testimonies; as well as Preaching and Singing.

The above-named C.P.Jones was the founder, president and life-time Senior Bishop of the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. The “Holiness Movement” – as it was then called – emphasized that the Christian lifestyle should exemplify Christ and to show that “God has called His Church unto holiness.” (2nd. Cor. 4:7; Heb. 12:14). The movement was entirely inter-denominational at that time.

But the mission was misunderstood. What people misunderstand, they fear and fight! So, the proponents of the movement were persecuted and eventually driven out of the various church bodies. This persecution caused us to build another sect and our own church houses, which was not the original aim or desire.

New Location

Elder Thomas Sanders was one of the close associates of Elder C. P. Jones. Elder Sanders was pastor of Hope Springs Baptist Church on Livingston Road. When he and his parishioners were put out of Hope Springs, they bought an acre of land where New Lake Church is presently located. In 1903 the first church house was erected. The contractor was a Mr. Herbert Hicks who joined the Church after he constructed the building.

Hope Springs was commonly called “The Lake Church” because of a lake which was nearby. So when some of the members came to the new location, they called it the “New Lake Church.”

Origin & Development

After Elder Sanders passed away, Bishop, then Elder, J.L.I. Conic served as interim pastor. In 1917 a young preacher, originally from Hazlehurst, Mississippi, named Joe. D. King began his pastorate at New Lake Church. He stayed for 29 years. During his tenure, the church building was remodeled. He passed away in 1946 while we were raising funds to erect a new edifice.

In 1947, Bishop, then Elder, Clifton Goodloe, Sr.., became our pastor. He provided leadership in constructing the new church building. Elder Leo Butler pastored this church for a short time, before Elder L.P.Camper came and led in making several spiritual and material improvements.

Our sixth pastor was Elder William M. Jones from McComb, Mississippi. He emphasized maintaining the church building and surroundings at their best. After his death, Elder J.L.I. Graham was assigned to us as pastor. Elder Graham had a special interest in the youth of the church. The next pastor was Elder Edgar Calloway. Beginning in 1971, Elder J.D. Washington served as pastor, driving from Printess, Mississippi.

During those years, we moved up from two Sundays to three Sundays per month for worship service. Bishop, then Elder, Maurice D. Bingham served in an Assistant Pastoral capacity. A few years later, we began having worship services every Sunday. By that time, New Lake Church had become a service providing entity in the area. We housed a Head Start Center and subsequently a center for Self-Help Training and Socialization for Handicapped Children, funded directly from the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Structurally, we had added a library, classrooms, and obtained a water system.

Recent Improvements

Elder Clifton Montgomery was our next pastor, who later left to serve in another Diocese. Then Elder Thomas M. Jenkins, Sr. became our pastor. He came while we were in the process of planning the construction of the present building. In addition to completing the new building, Elder Jenkins also led in the purchase of 34 acres of land in the nearby vicinity. We also at that time began purchasing additional acreage around the church grounds. Elder Jenkins later left the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A.

Bishop Joseph R. Campbell, Sr., served as interim pastor until our present pastor, Elder Eddie L. Brown Sr., was appointed here. Since Elder Brown has been here (six years), our membership has increased; all Boards, Auxiliaries, and Ministries are functioning well and we have paid off all indebtedness.

We have about 40 acres of land in the Lakeover Area of the City of Jackson, two parking lots, the sanctuary and fellowship facility with plans to provide additional services to the surrounding community.

To date, we have had some 22 brethren who were called to the Preaching Ministry while members of our congregation: Manuel Greenfield, Nelson Ballard, James Ballard, Aaron Ballard, Anderson Myles, Willie Williams, James Ford Jr., Dan Wells, W. Cortez Castilla, Kerry Brown, David Horton, Robert DeLoach, William F. Jordan, Daryl Thigpen, Otis Harris, Ted Watson, Howard Rousen, Nathaniel Washington, Pastor Young, Pastor Burnside, Henry Coleman and Quemardo M. Castilla.

As Elder Brown says, “The future is as bright as the promises of God.”