Illinois Central History 

The formation of the Central Illinois Jurisdiction was authorized by the late Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson in 1983 under the leadership of the late Bishop Theodore Taylor Rose, who was assisted with the help of the late Bishop L.H. Ford.

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Bishop Rose had initially appealed to the church's leadership to form a jurisdiction that would be centrally located in the state of Illinois. His request was granted and the work began.

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Bishop L.H. Ford had once used the name “Central Illinois” for his jurisdiction in the Chicago and Iowa territories. As a result of the growth of his jurisdiction, he requested Bishop Mason rename his jurisdiction as the Illinois First Jurisdiction.

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Subsequently, Bishop L.H. Ford recommended to Bishop Rose that the name Central Illinois be used for the new jurisdiction under his Bishopric.

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Bishop Rose was instrumental in encouraging many pastors to join him in establishing the Central Illinois Jurisdiction. The first group of Administrative Assistants appointed by Bishop T.T Rose consisted of Administrative Assistant Felton Beck Sr, Administrative Assistant Farris Morrison Sr., and Administrative Assistant Claude Farlow.

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Bishop T.T. Rose appointed Mother Mary B. Farlow as the first Supervisor of the Women’s Department. Mother Mary B. Farlow, a devoted mother in Zion was succeeded by our current Supervisor, Supervisor Barabra Gillespie Washington.

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Supervisor Barbara Gillespie Washington currently serves as a Jurisdictional Supervisor and as the regional representative for the multi-state area of the National Women’s Department.

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The Lord has given us a wonderful foundation and a great cloud of witnesses in the establishment of the Illinois Central Jurisdiction.

 

At the passing of Bishop T.T. Rose, the Lord continued to show us grace and favor in the appointment of the late Bishop Willie F. Newbon who served with honor and distinction from 1998-2011.

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At the close of his tenure as Jurisdictional Prelate, the Lord once again blessed us in the appointment of Bishop Juan L. Morrison, Sr. who also served the jurisdiction faithfully with love and heartfelt devotion from 2011 to 2021.

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And now the Lord has once again granted unto us another blessed and qualified leader in the person of Bishop Andrei V. Newbon. He has worked his way through the ranks of the Church of God in Christ in a manner similar to his predecessors.

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The jurisdiction is currently active and involved in a host of viable initiatives that will build and sustain our local churches while simultaneously supporting the work of the National Church of God in Christ at large.

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May the grace of God continue to abide with us as we endeavor to strengthen our passion for the things of God for His glory and honor.