Our Approach
Our Mission
To seek and save that which is lost.
Our Foundation
The Church of God in Christ, Inc. (COGIC) is a Christian organization in the Holiness-Pentecostal tradition. It is the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States. The membership is predominantly African-American with more than 6.5 million members. The Church has congregations in 63 countries around the world.
Our Story
Straightway Pentecostal Cathedral Church of God in Christ
In the year of January 1977 Bishop T.L. Walker was called by God to pastor in the living room of his home at 2520 Hudspeth Ave., Dallas, Texas. The Straightway Pentecostal Cathedral Church of God In Christ was organized and the name was chosen from the scriptural reading Isaiah 35:8 and Isaiah 40:3. The first membership roster included Elder Taylor Gates, Mother Darlene Gates, Brother Kenneth Wilson, Sister Betty Matthews, Sister Linda Parker, Sister Alice Wilson, Sister Bertha Alexander, and the first family. Only one week of services were held in the Pastor’s living room. From there his uncle, Elder T.L. Edwards, authorized him to have services in a portable building he owned.
Two months later in March of 1977, Pastor Walker, his family, and 42 members moved to a store front building located on Fordham Road in Dallas, Texas. The first music department consisted of organist Sister Linda Parker and drummer Sister Genize Walker. The church’s first secretary was Sister Alice Wilson and the first telephone was purchased by Sister Flora Gray. God later led Pastor Walker to a brick building in the West Dallas area, 1024 Muncie Street, along with a membership now of 58. Bishop Walker’s vision began to take form. The church later moved across the street on Winnetka. At this point the church had been organized for two years.
By 1986, Straightway Pentecostal Cathedral had moved to 1004 Carver Lane in Irving, Texas. After six years of souls being saved, backsliders being reclaimed, and a rapidly increasing membership of young people, Bishop Walker was once more led by God to look for a larger facility. God revealed to him a building in the Red Bird area in Dallas. He was lead to 1121 Reynoldston Lane where he and his wife exercised their faith by performing the Jericho March around the premises thereby claiming what God had promised him.
On May 8, 1994, Bishop and First Lady T.L. Walker, the congregation, and friends relocated to its new home located at 1121 Reynoldston Lane location in Dallas, Texas. The Straightway Pentecostal Church later opened a Child Care Development and Learning Center. Look how far God has brought us.