Some of the Believers Holiness Conference History Makers!
Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, Head of the Church ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Believers Holiness Church Conference Executive Board ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Presiding Bishop Dr. Linwood Cooper District Elder Dr. David Anderson Sr. District Elder Dr. Leroy Graham Treasurer: Bro. Willard Singletary Financial Secretary: Sis. Barbara B. Greene Recording Secretary: Evangelist Dr. Nora Gordon Assistant Financial/Recording Secretary: Evangelist Mary G. Burgess Evangelist Lenovia Gathers Elder James Hanna Administrative Assistants: Sister Darlene Graham Trustee Ordis McClam Sister. Sara Ducksworth Sister. Joan Burgess |
Founded in 1913 and incorporated in 1915, the Believers Holiness Church Conference is headquartered in Coward, South Carolina. It have seventeen churches and two missions located in the states of South Carolina, North Carolina, and New York. We strive by the leading of the Holy Ghost and under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Dr. Linwood Cooper, District Elder Dr. David Anderson, District Elder Dr. Leroy Graham.
Our previous church administration has worked hard to achieve the goals that we are continually striving to reach. They knew the importance of keeping church affairs in order just as our present day administration strives to continue the mark of excellence. Two great achievements were the Declaration and Petition for Incorporation and The Certificate of Incorporation. A declaration and petition for incorporation were made by the following: Bishop Isaac Gamble, Samuel Bradley, and Dolly Scott, all of Kingstree, South Carolina. This petition was to be made by two or more officers or agents appointed to supervise and manage the affairs of the Believers Holiness Church. It is noted in the petition that the Believers Holiness Church had been organized in a proper manner. Also stated in the certificate of incorporation signed by the Secretary of State, this organization may hold property for religious, educational, social, fraternal, or charitable purposes; however, it is not organized for the purpose of profit or gain. The petition is dated August 28, 1915. The Certificate of Incorporation includes several items of necessity. The items of necessity are as follows;: The names and residences of the petitioners; the name of the proposed corporation, the purpose, to promote and extend the preaching of the gospel and the advancement of the cause of religion and to do all things genuinely connection to church work, the names and residences of all managers, trustees, directors or other officers. The following individuals made up this administrative body: Bishop Issac Gamble, President of Kingstree, South Carolina; Samuel Bradley, Secretary of Kingstree, South Carolina, Dolly Scott, Treasurer of Kingstree, South Carolina, Raymond Pendergrass and Ben Fulton, Trustees both of Kingstree, South Carolina. The last item of necessity is the desire to be incorporated. This document for Incorporation was signed by Secretary of State in September 1915. During previous interviews with historian, the late Deacon Leroy McKenzie of Lake City, South Carolina, it was noted that the founders of The Believers Holiness Conference were Bishop Issac Gamble, Bishop John Henry Pendergrass and Bishop Heyward Wall. According to verbal history left by former leaders and current historians, the etiology of The Believers Holiness Movement originated from The Pentecostal Holiness. This movement was established in 1913. It was recorded in the memory of descendants of the former officials of this generation who were active in church affairs. It was told that in 1913, while attending the Annual Convention, which was held in Georgia. Bishop Pendergrass realized that in order for continued growth of the churches, leaving the Pentecostal Holiness Movement was inevitable. He then withdrew his churches, obtained a charter and changed the name to the Believers Holiness. |