Church History
At Caine Creek, under a brush arbor near
Wrightville, Arkansas
in April 1889, a minister named Rev. William Christian having been
pastor of a Baptist church in
Ft.
Smith, began preaching the
doctrine of Jesus Christ as laid down in the Bible. His difference
of opinion with Dr. Howe, another Baptist minister, caused him to
leave the Baptist church. He intended to begin a work known as
Christian's Friendship Work but through divine revelation and close
study of the scriptures lead him to the truth that the church is
known as Church of the Living God. The first members were Elder K.
C. Adams who became the first National Secretary, Rev. Josh Adams,
Rev. Russell Stowe, Wm. Pierce and Tim Jones, a land owner in
Wrightsville. Mr. Shackelford, a lawyer in
Little Rock, incorporated the church in the state of
Arkansas. Rev. John Christian, the brother
of Rev. Wm. Christian, was with him in the early work. In 1895 in
Pine Bluff,
Arkansas, a difference of opinion
arose that caused them to separate. Both maintained the name of the
Church of the Living God, one using Motto C.W.F.F. and the other the
pillar and ground of the truth following the name. Only by the use
of the motto' (C.W.F.F.) in parenthesis is the temple identified as
a part of the Brotherhood.
There have been numerous secessions, but the Church of the Living
God Brotherhood organized by Rev. Christian still is the parent
body. The organization itself is non-denominational and
non-sectarian. It emphasizes believers' baptism by immersion, the
use of water and unleavened bread element in the Lord's Supper and
the washing of saint's feet which is required only when one unites
with the church. The local organizations are known as "Temple"
rather than as "Churches" and are subject to the authority of the
general assembly. The presiding officer is styled as "chief bishop."
The ministry includes bishops, overseers, evangelists, pastors,
missionaries and local preachers, The Executive Board is in charge
of the operation of the entire organization, at, the absence of the
Annual Assembly. Synod. Annual, General Assembly meets quadrennial.
Church of the Living God Temple #235 is part of Church of the
Living God
District 11,
established in
1935 by the late Bishop D.V. Warren. In 1936, a West District
meeting was held in Los Angeles, CA. This meeting included two
states only: California and Arizona. There are currently 28 temples
in District 11.
