About COG
The Church of God, headquartered in Anderson, Indiana, began in 1881 as a movement emphasizing unity and holiness. Leaders such as Daniel S. Warner and Mary Cole were not interested in denominational hierarchies and formal creeds, but in trusting solely in the Holy Spirit as their overseer, and in the Bible as their statement of belief. Their aim was to promote primary allegiance to Jesus Christ and transcend denominational loyalties. The message proclaimed by D.S Warner was holiness, non-sectarianism: and the unity of God's people. They believed that a holy life was possible for those who had been sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Redemption by Christ, meant righteous lives, and the ability and duty to be in harmony and fellowship with one another. The message of unity and holiness was appealing to blacks because it provided for interracial worship and a movement more inclusive than other religious groups. The Church of God in Gary, Indiana, joined the reformation in 1917 led by led by Ministers Henry L. Garrett, John L. Leonard and Mrs. M. Etta Alexander. They conducted their meetings in homes, barber shops; and preached on street corners. Uniting in one accord, their first church was in a storefront at 1745 Washington St. and in 1920 this body was incorporated as a part of the “Church of God Reformation Movement”.
The following people were recorded as leaders of that first group.
Mrs. M. Etta Alexander, Pastor
Henry M. Garnett
Norton Minor
Mrs. Nora Patterson
Elder Heflin
William Minor
Joe Hill
Hohn Robins
Charles McDonald
The Church of God always looked to the Bible and the Holy Spirit for truth and direction. It has looked for every opportunity to share this truth with all. Our founders left us with the charge to teach the truth emphasizing the unity of God’s people, the leadership of the Holy Spirit, salvation by faith, sanctification by faith and divine healing by faith. They challenged us to carry on the banner for Christ, to lift up his name daily and to do all things to the glory of God.
The Church has had the following locations.
1745 Washington Street
2108 Adams Street
2101 Washington Street
1927-1955
1955- to present
We have been blessed with dedicated Spiritual Pastors.
Mrs. M. Etta Alexander
Raymond Jackson
Milton Hill
Harry B. Mitchell
James A. Anderson
1928-1932
1920-1932
1933-1938
1939-1958
1959-1998
In 1984 our church divided into two churches. Washington Street Church of God and then First Church of God.
Pastor James Anderson founded the Brother’s Keeper a shelter for homeless men in 1986. Saints from First Church worked with Washington Street to prepare and provide meals to the homeless. Pastor Mathew Whittington (Western Christian Community Church) was the contractor who did much of the rehab to the building that would eventually be Brother’s Keeper.
Michael Dotson
1998-present.
Washington Street has acquired lots in the 2100 block of Washington Street and also Broadway in anticipation of building a new edifice. We have also acquired the Campbell Friendship Building with plans of restoring the vitality it once brought to the community.