Our History

Beginning around 1895, several ministers of the South Union Association of United Baptists became involved in the holiness movement. At their annual session in 1903, the South Union Association excluded all ministers preaching apostasy (the possibility of losing one's salvation). About five or six churches withdrew from the association. On August 24, 1906, representatives met at the Jellico Creek church in Whitley County, Kentucky and formed a new association. They chose the name Church of God. The early leaders were ministers J. H. Parks, Steve Bryant, Tom Moses, and William O. Douglas. About the time of organization, they also accepted the Pentecostal revival. After discovering that other bodies were holding property and transacting business under the name Church of God, this body added the words "of the Mountain Assembly" to Church of God for identification and legal purposes. In 1917 the body was incorporated, and in 1918 headquarters were established in Jellico, Tennessee.

The Gospel Herald, official publication of the Church of God Mountain Assembly, was first published in 1942. A new form of governance was adopted in 1946, including the offices of General Overseer, First Assistant General Overseer, and General Secretary and Treasurer.