The History of Alabama Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
In Alabama, The Church of God In Christ was started in North Alabama in the home of Mother Frankie Threets with Elder Riley F. Williams. Elder Williams built a church in East Birmingham with a parsonage and presided there. In 1920, Elder Williams was appointed Overseer and in 1933 he was ordained Bishop. Bishop Williams went on to obtain an education; his education, combined with his training resulted in explosive growth across the State of Alabama.
Missionary Mary Floyd was the first State Mother. She served until her death in the 1920s. Afterward, Mothers Lula Jones, Victoria Jones, Mary O. Brown, and Annie Lee Mainor served consecutively until the mid-1950s. Elder Chester A. Ashworth was appointed Bishop of Alabama in the mid-1950s. Three State Mothers worked with Bishop Ashworth; Mothers Annie Lee Mainor Key, Mattie B. Hudmon, and Willie Tarver.
In 1964, the national church honored the request of several of the brethren in Alabama to create the Second Jurisdiction. That year, Elder James Marshall Bailey of Mobile, Alabama was ordained Bishop over the Second Jurisdiction of Alabama. Missionary Lorene Netter was appointed State Mother under the leadership of Bishop Bailey. Bishop Bailey served as Bishop of the 2nd Jurisdiction until April 1973. Bishop Bailey's humility and example of a holy life serve as a beacon for all who shall follow him.
Elder Welsey S. Harris of Huntsville, Alabama was ordained Bishop over the Second Jurisdiction of Alabama in September of 1974. After the death of the State Mother, Lorene Netter, in 1985, Missionary Rosa Howard of Birmingham, Alabama was appointed State Mother and served under the leadership of Bishop Welsey S. Harris until her death in 1995. Missionary Dorothy Pulliam was appointed Jurisdictional Supervisor of The Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Alabama in 1995 after the death of Mother Howard and served until 2023.
Mother Pulliam, one of the most influential and courageous Supervisors in the history of The Church of God In Christ, served the people as a Sister, Missionary, and Evangelist. To say that she is multi-hyphenate is to limit all that she has accomplished, but it's the perfect word to describe how she's accomplished so much in so little time. She may very well be the G.O.A.T. for Jurisdictional Supervisors! Scratch that, she is The G.O.A.T.! And there will never be another like her! Thank you, God, for blessing us with Mother Dorothy J. Gunn Pulliam!
In April of 2001 Superintendent Philip A. Gardner, Sr. was appointed Bishop of the Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Alabama. He served with honor and distinction for 22 years. Under his leadership, Alabama's Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction saw numerical and financial growth. Bishop Gardner is truly missed.
In March of 2023, The Presiding Bishop Of The Church of God In Christ, J. Drew Sheard, was given the privilege of consecrating a gentleman that served alongside him for many years! Superintendent - Dr. M. Earl Pulliam, Sr., was elected by his peers, to lead and represent The Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Alabama as its Bishop. Many asked how was a humble, godly, giving, loyal, and faithful man elected into the most sacred and powerful group in the COGIC. Consistency. Every day, every week, every month, every quarter, every year, Bishop Pulliam remained consistent in his service to God and God's people. Under his leadership and vision, The Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Alabama will continue to flourish. Bishop Pulliam, being the wise strategic thinker that he is, chose the incredible and accomplished Dr. Yuvonne Calhoun to serve beside him as his Jurisdictional Supervisor. With these two godly and distinguished people at the helm of Alabama Second, WE can't be stopped!
