Mount Sinai Holy Church of America
Encyclopedia
Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Incorporated, is a Christian church in the Pentecostal tradition
. The church is episcopal
in governance. It has approximately 130 congregations in 14 states and 4 countries and a membership of over 10,000. The organization's headquarters is located in Philadelphia, PA
.
, the organization is the only organization founded by an African-American
woman that held consistent female leadership from its founding in 1924 until February 2001.
Ida B. Robinson grew up in Pensacola, Florida
, the seventh of twelve children born to Robert and Annie Bell. After her conversion as a teenager at an evangelistic street meeting, she led prayer services in homes. In 1910 she married Oliver Robinson. In search for better employment opportunities, the couple relocataed from Pensacola to Philadelphia in 1917.
In Philadelphia, she began conducting street evangelism
in Philadelphia under the auspices of The United Holy Church of America
. In 1919, Robinson was installed as pastor of Mount Olive Holy Temple, a small mission that was affiliated with the United Holy Church.
1924 became a significant year in the life of Ida Robinson. While fasting and praying in the church for ten days, she stated that she received a revelation from God. As she related, “The Holy Ghost
spoke and said, ‘Come out on Mount Sinai
.” After this encounter, Robinson believed that God was calling her to “Come out on Mount Sinai,” so that “I will use you to loose the women.” On May 20, 1924, the State of Pennsylvania
granted her a charter for the church under the name of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Incorporated.
At its founding, women comprised six of nine members of the Board of Elders as well as the top four officers. Ida Robinson began to conduct many evangelistic works and church planting
. To strengthen the general organization, an Annual Convocation was instituted. This Annual meeting was first held in Philadelphia for eight days in September, 1925, she was also consecrated as Bishop during the meeting. When she died, the denomination consisted of 84 churches, more than 160 ordained ministers of whom 125 were women, an accredited school in Philadelphia, mission work in Cuba and Guyana, and a farm in South Jersey
that provided a safe haven away from the city for church members.
, justification, sanctification and baptism by the Holy Spirit
. The Church teaches that baptism by the Holy Spirit is given to all Christian believers who ask for it. Divine healing
is practiced, but not to the exclusion of medical supervision. Holiness of life and practice are emphasized. The ordinances of the Church, as act of obedience to Faith, are water baptism
(immersion), the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion) and the Ordinance of Humility (foot washing). One particular doctrine that is solidified in the denomination’s history is its beliefs on gender equality. Both men and women are considered equal in reference to official ordinations and ecclesiastical rights.
Bishop Elmira Jeffries served as President and Senior Bishop from 1946 to 1964. She was a charter member of the denomination, and became its first vice-president. Subsequent to the death of Bishop Ida Robinson, Jeffries was set aside to the Bishopric in 1946 by Bishop W.E. Fuller, President of the Fire Baptized Holy Church. At this time, she became president of Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc., and the pastor of Mount Olive Holy Temple in Philadelphia. Under her leadership, the church purchased the Physicians' and Surgeons' Hospital located 1512-1514 on 15th street in the city of Philadelphia. Today the building has been named, The Elmira Jeffries Memorial Home. On Monday, June 15, 1964, she died.
Bishop Mary E. Jackson served as President and Senior Bishop from 1964 to 1983. She was also a charter member of the denomination. Jackson's tenure as president was the second longest in the church's history. Jackson was 88 years old when she became the denomination's president. On October 26, 1980, Bishop Mary Elizabeth Jackson retired from active pastorate service. When she died on November 8, 1983, her age was 102 years making her the oldest president in the history of the church.
Bishop Amy B. Stevens served as President and Senior Bishop from 1983 to 2000. Bishop Stevens was appointed President of Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc., in February, 1984. Under her administration as president of Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc., she created the Mount Sinai Training Institute and the expansion of ministry on the Mount Sinai Farm. She traveled to Mount Sinai’s churches in Guyana and Cuba. Bishop Stevens received an Honorary Doctorate
of Theology degree from the Official Board of Christian Bible Institute and Seminary. In 1984 Bishop Stevens along with Bishop James F. Brown, Jr. (Mt. Sinai Holy Church of America), Bishop J O Patterson (President of the Church of God in Christ
), Bishop J T Bowen (President of the United Holy Church of America
)and Bishop J D Ellis (Pentecostal Church of Christ) founded the International Fellowship of Black Pentecostal Churches in Memphis, Tennessee
. Bishop Steven died on Thursday, September 14, 2000. She was the last president to have been with the founder when she died in Winter Haven, Fl.
Bishop Ruth Satchell served as President from 2000 to 2001. After the death of Bishop Amy Stevens, Bishop Satchell, who at that time was serving as vice president, was appointed president of the denomination. Satchell was in her mid 90's when beginning her tenure as president. She resigned as president in 2001, making her the shortest serving president in the church's history. After her resignation she held the title of "President Emeritus" from 2001 until her passing on March 1, 2011. She served as the jurisdictional bishop of the mid-atlantic district of the organization and was a member of the board of bishops and pastor of two churches. Prior to her presidency Bishop Satchell served as 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, a member of the Board of Directors and member of the Executive Board in the organization
Bishop Joseph H. Bell, Sr. has been President since 2001. In 2001, Bell made history by becoming the first male president of the denomination. Prior to being elected to the presidency of Mt. Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc. in February, 2001, Bishop Bell served the corporate church as it’s General Secretary and Secretary of the Board of Directors
from 1982. Bell is pastor of the Bethel Holy Church in New York City
and serves as jurisdictional bishop of the New York/New England district of the organization.
, Guyana and the West Coast. Each district is headed by a bishop and depending on its size they may have an assistant bishop. Each district has a number of "presiding elders" that provide support to the district bishop. The church also has a number of departments including: Women's & Men's , Education, Missions, Youth and Music. Departments are headed by chairpersons. There is an annual holy convocation of the entire church, and each district has its own convention. There is a National Youth Convention as well as a National Missionary Convention. The denomination has foreign missions in Cuba
, Jamaica
and Guyana
.
Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism is a diverse and complex movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has an eschatological focus, and is an experiential religion. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek...
. The church is episcopal
Episcopal polity
Episcopal polity is a form of church governance that is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church resting in a bishop...
in governance. It has approximately 130 congregations in 14 states and 4 countries and a membership of over 10,000. The organization's headquarters is located in Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
History
Founded by Ida B. RobinsonIda B. Robinson
Ida B. Robinson was an American Pentecostal-Holiness and Charismatic denominational leader. She was the founder, first Senior Bishop and President of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc. Robinson formed the organization in response to her vision and Divine Call to secure an organizational...
, the organization is the only organization founded by an African-American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
woman that held consistent female leadership from its founding in 1924 until February 2001.
Ida B. Robinson grew up in Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, the seventh of twelve children born to Robert and Annie Bell. After her conversion as a teenager at an evangelistic street meeting, she led prayer services in homes. In 1910 she married Oliver Robinson. In search for better employment opportunities, the couple relocataed from Pensacola to Philadelphia in 1917.
In Philadelphia, she began conducting street evangelism
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
in Philadelphia under the auspices of The United Holy Church of America
United Holy Church of America
The United Holy Church of America, Inc. is a predominantly Black Pentecostal Holiness Christian denomination. International headquarters are located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The UHC of A consists of 516 churches, 17 districts, and 8 territories...
. In 1919, Robinson was installed as pastor of Mount Olive Holy Temple, a small mission that was affiliated with the United Holy Church.
1924 became a significant year in the life of Ida Robinson. While fasting and praying in the church for ten days, she stated that she received a revelation from God. As she related, “The Holy Ghost
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
spoke and said, ‘Come out on Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai , also known as Mount Horeb, Mount Musa, Gabal Musa , Jabal Musa meaning "Moses' Mountain", is a mountain near Saint Catherine in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. A mountain called Mount Sinai is mentioned many times in the Book of Exodus in the Torah and the Bible as well as the Quran...
.” After this encounter, Robinson believed that God was calling her to “Come out on Mount Sinai,” so that “I will use you to loose the women.” On May 20, 1924, the State of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
granted her a charter for the church under the name of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Incorporated.
At its founding, women comprised six of nine members of the Board of Elders as well as the top four officers. Ida Robinson began to conduct many evangelistic works and church planting
Church planting
Church planting is a process that results in a new Christian church being established. It should be distinguished from church development, where a new service, new worship centre or fresh expression is created that is integrated into an already established congregation...
. To strengthen the general organization, an Annual Convocation was instituted. This Annual meeting was first held in Philadelphia for eight days in September, 1925, she was also consecrated as Bishop during the meeting. When she died, the denomination consisted of 84 churches, more than 160 ordained ministers of whom 125 were women, an accredited school in Philadelphia, mission work in Cuba and Guyana, and a farm in South Jersey
South Jersey
South Jersey comprises the southern portions of the U.S. state of New Jersey between the lower Delaware River and the Atlantic Ocean. The designation is a colloquial one, reflecting not only geographical but perceived cultural differences from the northern part of the state, with no official...
that provided a safe haven away from the city for church members.
Doctrine
The doctrinal emphasis of the church is the inspired, infallible, authority of Scripture, belief in the trinity, conversion, repentance, salvation in the Lord Jesus ChristJesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, justification, sanctification and baptism by the Holy Spirit
Baptism with the Holy Spirit
Baptism with the Holy Spirit in Christian theology is a term describing baptism in or with the Spirit of God...
. The Church teaches that baptism by the Holy Spirit is given to all Christian believers who ask for it. Divine healing
Faith healing
Faith healing is healing through spiritual means. The healing of a person is brought about by religious faith through prayer and/or rituals that, according to adherents, stimulate a divine presence and power toward correcting disease and disability. Belief in divine intervention in illness or...
is practiced, but not to the exclusion of medical supervision. Holiness of life and practice are emphasized. The ordinances of the Church, as act of obedience to Faith, are water baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
(immersion), the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion) and the Ordinance of Humility (foot washing). One particular doctrine that is solidified in the denomination’s history is its beliefs on gender equality. Both men and women are considered equal in reference to official ordinations and ecclesiastical rights.
Leadership
Bishop Ida Robinson was the founder, Senior Bishop & first President from 1924 to 1946. On April 6, 1946,, Ida Robinson left Philadelphia with a group of missionaries to visit some of the organization's churches in Florida. Her first stop in Florida was Jacksonville. From there she journeyed on to Winter Haven where on 20 April 1946 she died. At the time of her death, the denomination consisted of 84 churches.Bishop Elmira Jeffries served as President and Senior Bishop from 1946 to 1964. She was a charter member of the denomination, and became its first vice-president. Subsequent to the death of Bishop Ida Robinson, Jeffries was set aside to the Bishopric in 1946 by Bishop W.E. Fuller, President of the Fire Baptized Holy Church. At this time, she became president of Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc., and the pastor of Mount Olive Holy Temple in Philadelphia. Under her leadership, the church purchased the Physicians' and Surgeons' Hospital located 1512-1514 on 15th street in the city of Philadelphia. Today the building has been named, The Elmira Jeffries Memorial Home. On Monday, June 15, 1964, she died.
Bishop Mary E. Jackson served as President and Senior Bishop from 1964 to 1983. She was also a charter member of the denomination. Jackson's tenure as president was the second longest in the church's history. Jackson was 88 years old when she became the denomination's president. On October 26, 1980, Bishop Mary Elizabeth Jackson retired from active pastorate service. When she died on November 8, 1983, her age was 102 years making her the oldest president in the history of the church.
Bishop Amy B. Stevens served as President and Senior Bishop from 1983 to 2000. Bishop Stevens was appointed President of Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc., in February, 1984. Under her administration as president of Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc., she created the Mount Sinai Training Institute and the expansion of ministry on the Mount Sinai Farm. She traveled to Mount Sinai’s churches in Guyana and Cuba. Bishop Stevens received an Honorary Doctorate
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
of Theology degree from the Official Board of Christian Bible Institute and Seminary. In 1984 Bishop Stevens along with Bishop James F. Brown, Jr. (Mt. Sinai Holy Church of America), Bishop J O Patterson (President of the Church of God in Christ
Church of God in Christ
The Church of God in Christ is a Pentecostal Holiness Christian denomination with a predominantly African-American membership. With nearly five million members in the United States and 12,000 congregations, it is the largest Pentecostal church and the fifth largest Christian church in the U.S....
), Bishop J T Bowen (President of the United Holy Church of America
United Holy Church of America
The United Holy Church of America, Inc. is a predominantly Black Pentecostal Holiness Christian denomination. International headquarters are located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The UHC of A consists of 516 churches, 17 districts, and 8 territories...
)and Bishop J D Ellis (Pentecostal Church of Christ) founded the International Fellowship of Black Pentecostal Churches in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. Bishop Steven died on Thursday, September 14, 2000. She was the last president to have been with the founder when she died in Winter Haven, Fl.
Bishop Ruth Satchell served as President from 2000 to 2001. After the death of Bishop Amy Stevens, Bishop Satchell, who at that time was serving as vice president, was appointed president of the denomination. Satchell was in her mid 90's when beginning her tenure as president. She resigned as president in 2001, making her the shortest serving president in the church's history. After her resignation she held the title of "President Emeritus" from 2001 until her passing on March 1, 2011. She served as the jurisdictional bishop of the mid-atlantic district of the organization and was a member of the board of bishops and pastor of two churches. Prior to her presidency Bishop Satchell served as 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, a member of the Board of Directors and member of the Executive Board in the organization
Bishop Joseph H. Bell, Sr. has been President since 2001. In 2001, Bell made history by becoming the first male president of the denomination. Prior to being elected to the presidency of Mt. Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc. in February, 2001, Bishop Bell served the corporate church as it’s General Secretary and Secretary of the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
from 1982. Bell is pastor of the Bethel Holy Church in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and serves as jurisdictional bishop of the New York/New England district of the organization.
Structure
The church has 4 corporate officers which include: The president, vice president, general secretary and treasure. There is a board of bishops. Assisting the bishops is a board of presbyteries, composed of the elders of the churches. There are seven administrative districts: New York/New England, Pennsylvania/ New Jersey, Mid-Atlantic, Southern, Great LakesGreat Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
, Guyana and the West Coast. Each district is headed by a bishop and depending on its size they may have an assistant bishop. Each district has a number of "presiding elders" that provide support to the district bishop. The church also has a number of departments including: Women's & Men's , Education, Missions, Youth and Music. Departments are headed by chairpersons. There is an annual holy convocation of the entire church, and each district has its own convention. There is a National Youth Convention as well as a National Missionary Convention. The denomination has foreign missions in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
and Guyana
Guyana
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, previously the colony of British Guiana, is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana was a former colony of the Dutch and of the British...
.
Departments
- National Young People's Department- Bishop D. Elaine Harris, Chairperson
- National Men's Department- Bishop Lawrence Taylor, Chairperson
- National Women's Department- Mother Carolyn Martin, Chairperson
- National Education Department- Bishop Minerva Bell, Chairperson
- National Music Department- Elder Dean Stanley, Chairperson
- National Adjutant & Usher Department- Bishop Reginald Peyton, Chairperson
Notable Men in the Church
Though women have play a highlighted roll with in the history of the church. There are a number of men who have held important positions in Mount Sinai Holy Church of America.- Bishop Peter F. Jones: He served as the 1st presiding prelate of the southern district (the oldest district in the denomination) from 1946-1961.
- Bishop James F. Brown, Jr.: served as Vice President of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America(the 2nd Male to do so) as well as the 3rd Presiding Prelate of the Church's Southern District from 1977-1991. He exchanged time for eternity on Sunday, August 4, 1991.
- Bishop James Bell: Served as Vice President (the 1st. Male) of the denomination as well as presiding prelate of the New York/New England district.
- Bishop Leonard R. Williams: Served as 2nd Vice President and first Presiding Prelate of the Great Lakes District
Prominent Leaders of the Past
- Bishop Katherine C. Lewis- 2nd Vice President and Pastor of Holy Mt. Zion Church
- Bishop Sylvester Webb- Pastor of Mt. Olive Holy Church, President Pentecostal Network Vice President and Black Clergy, Inc.
- Bishop Charles Stevens- 1st Presiding Prelate of the Mid-Atlantic District
- Bishop William Pugh- First President of the Nation Youth Convention, Bishop of New Jersey and Assistant District Bishop of PA/NJ District
- Elder Minnie Stith- Pastor of Zion Holy Church. One of the denomination's earliest Responsible for many church plants in the south
Current officers
- Bishop Joseph H. Bell, Sr.- President
- Bishop Emanuel Holland - Vice President
- Bishop Thomas J. Martin, Jr- Corporate Treasurer
- Bishop Kenneth R. Coward- Corporate Secretary
- Bishop D. Elain Harris- Financial Secretary
College of Bishops
- Bishop Joseph H. Bell, Sr.- President & New York/New England District Bishop
- Bishop Minerva R. Bell- First Lady of Mount Sinai and Leading Historian
- Bishop Ruth G. Batten- District Bishop of the Mid Atlantic District
- Bishop Kenneth R. Coward- Corporate Secretary
- Bishop D. Elaine Harris- Financial Secretary/District Bishop of PA/NJ District
- Bishop Emanuel Holland - Vice President & District Bishop of the Southern District
- Bishop Thomas J. Martin, Jr- Corporate Treasurer, Bishop of Missions and District Bishop of the West Coast District
- Bishop Reginald Peyton- Adjutant General
- Bishop Simon Phillips- District Bishop of Guyana
- Bishop William Polk- Chairman of the Board of Presbyters
- Bishop Lawrence Taylor- Assistant Bishop of the Southern District, Chairman of the Men's Department
- Bishop Evelyn Williams-Gordon- District Bishop of the Great Lakes District
- Bishop James Odell-White, Sr- Chaplin of the Board of Presbyters
Related Organizations
- United Holy Church of AmericaUnited Holy Church of AmericaThe United Holy Church of America, Inc. is a predominantly Black Pentecostal Holiness Christian denomination. International headquarters are located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The UHC of A consists of 516 churches, 17 districts, and 8 territories...
- The mother denomination of Mt. Sinai Holy Church - Mount Calvary Holy Church of America - Sister denomination of Mt. Sinai Holy Church. It separated from United Holy Church 5 years after Mt. Sinai Holy Church in 1929. Founded by Bishop Brumfield Johnson.
Sources
- Official Website of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America
- Lindley, Susan Hill (1996) You Have Stept Out of Your Place: A History of Women and Religion in America Westminster John Knox Press, ISBN 0664257992, 9780664257996
- The handbook of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America
- Daughters of Thunder: Black Women Preachers and Their Sermons, 1850-1979 By Bettye Collier-Thomas,Published by Jossey-Bass, 1997,ISBN 0787909181, 9780787909185
- "Reshaping Black Pastoral Theology: The Vision of Bishop Ida B. Robinson" Dr. Harold Dean Trulear, Journal of Religious Thought;vol 46, 17-31p (Howard Divinity Library)
- African-American Holiness Pentecostal Movement: An Annotated Bibliography By Sherry Sherrod DuPree Published by Taylor & FrancisTaylor and FrancisTaylor & Francis Group is an international company originating in the United Kingdom which publishes books and academic journals. It is a division of Informa plc, a United Kingdom-based publisher and conference company.- Overview :...
, 1996 ISBN 0824014499, 9780824014490, 650 pages - U.S. African American Denominations in Cuba by Dodson, Jualynne E. (1994) Contributions in Black Studies: Vol. 12, Article 4. UMASS AmherstUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstThe University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
Libraries, - Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America: Integrating the worlds of women's religious experienceReligious experienceReligious experience is a subjective experience in which an individual reports contact with a transcendent reality, an encounter or union with the divine....
in North America, by Rosemary Skinner Keller, Rosemary Radford RuetherRosemary Radford RuetherRosemary Radford Ruether is an American feminist scholar and theologian.-Biography:Ruether was born in 1936 in Georgetown, Texas, to a Roman Catholic mother and Episcopal father. She has reportedly described her upbringing as free-thinking and humanistic as opposed to oppressive...
, Marie Cantlon, Published by Indiana University Press, 2006, ISBN 0253346851, 9780253346858 - The Ordination of Women:An Issue among ‘Spirit-filled’ Churches from the African Diaspora By Antipas L. Harris,