During the year 1925, Elder C.C. Frederick, State Overseer of Pennsylvania, contacted Senior Bishop C.H. Mason about a band of Holiness believers who were without a Pastor, and in 1925 Elder Ozro Thurston Jones, Sr. was sent to Philadelphia from Arkansas. When Elder O.T. Jones, Sr. arrived in Philadelphia, he prayed in an open field that if God would be with him he would build the work.

 

Soon after coming to pastor the church, Overseer Frederick was killed and Senior Bishop Mason then appointed Elder O.T. Jones as Overseer of the state of Pennsylvania in the Church of God in Christ. Overseer Jones and Mother Harriet M. Ways worked to build Holy Temple, and also build the state work from eleven churches to over two hundred churches. During the summer months, the band of saints had street meetings and had services in a tent. In 1927, Overseer Jones and the saints built Holy Temple Church of God in Christ at 57th and Vine Streets.

 

In 1933, Overseer Jones was consecrated to the office of Bishop. Bishop O.T. Jones, Sr. was the first consecrated Bishop in the Church of God in Christ. Four others were consecrated at the same time, but he was the first to have hands laid on him by Bishop Mason.

 

During the year 1935, the Lord sent a great revival to the work at 57th and Vine Streets. Many people were saved. Being led of the Lord, Bishop Jones felt a larger church was needed. He and the saints purchased the Lutheran Church at 60th and Callowhill Streets. The original cost of the building was $45,000.00. The indebtedness was taken care of in eight years; twelve years ahead of the intended mortgage. In a special building fund, each member was assessed $12.50. Since the average person at that time was earning $4.00 a week, the donation was one of great sacrifice.

 

On the 4th Sunday in October 1935, the saints and friends of about 225 persons marched from 57th and Vine Streets to 60th and Callowhill Streets, and Holy Temple Church of God in Christ has been located in its present edifice in West Philadelphia for over 80 years. When the congregation first moved, it had a membership of 100 people. Under Bishop Jones, the membership soared to over 2000 active members. The Spirit of the Lord continued to dwell in Holy Temple under the leadership of our founder, Bishop O.T. Jones, Sr.

 

In 1941, Elder O.T. Jones, Jr. was appointed Youth Leader of Holy Temple by his father, Bishop Jones, Sr. Under Elder Jones’ leadership, several activities were organized and the Youth Department flourished. In 1953, Elder Jones was appointed pastor of Memorial Church of God in Christ in Haverford, Pennsylvania. When Bishop Jones, Sr. was elevated to Senior Bishop of the Church of God in Christ in 1962, he called his son back to Holy Temple.

 

In 1963, Elder O.T. Jones, Jr. was appointed Associate Pastor of Holy Temple Church. He became the Pastor after the homegoing of Senior Bishop Jones, which occurred in September 1972. Elder Jones was also consecrated to the office of Jurisdictional Bishop of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1973. He continued to carry on the work at Holy Temple with Elder Robert Hargrove assisting him. In 1997, Bishop O.T. Jones was appointed to the office of Second Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ.

 

Elder Robert L. Hargrove became Administrative Assistant of Holy Temple under Bishop O.T. Jones, Sr., and continued to work in the as Assistant Pastor under Bishop Jones, Jr. In March 2001, after many years of dedicated service to Holy Temple, and when Bishop O.T. Jones, Jr. was elevated to Senior Pastor, Elder Robert L. Hargrove was appointed Pastor of Holy Temple Church of God in Christ. In November 2014, Pastor Hargrove was consecrated to the office of Auxiliary Bishop during the 107th Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ. After 21 years of stellar pastoral leadership, being led of the Lord, Bishop Hargrove retired as Pastor of Holy Temple Church.  

 

On Saturday, August 14, 2021, Bishop Guy L. Glimp was installed as Pastor of Holy Temple. A spiritual son of Bishop O.T. Jones Jr., Bishop Glimp continues the great work started and led by great pioneers and leaders of the Church of God in Christ, Inc.

 

A factor to hold in mind when speaking of the growth of the church is that Holy Temple is the “Mother Church” for the Church of God in Christ Pennsylvania Commonwealth Jurisdiction, as well as the region of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Spiritual sons and daughters of this church have established numerous churches and missions. Some of the first men in this ministry have gone on to establish great works, and gain National prominence. Our founder, Bishop O.T. Jones, Sr. was a very special man. He was indeed one of the most balanced men in the ministry. While he was a great preacher of the Gospel, he was also progressive and certainly ahead of his time.