Historical Sketch

Historical Sketch. . The group which later became known as the Church of God By Faith came in existence in the year of 1914 when Crawford Bright met Mother Delia Scippio in route to Jacksonville, Florida who had already received the Holy Ghost in a meeting in Valdosta, Georgia., The first mission started under the leadership of Elder John Bright at 36 Richard Street, in the home of Aaron Matthews, Sr. and later Mother Matthews was saved., During the years of 1914-1915 under the ministry of Elder John Bright, Elder Nathaniel Scippio and Bishop Aaron Matthews, Sr. were saved, became members of the group, and both were called into the ministry., In the year of 1916 Elder Hubert Stedman became a member of the group and was a great leader., In the year of 1917, the first assembly was held in White Springs, Florida. After the assembly they began to scatter and set up missions in various places., About the year of 1919 Palatka was known as the headquarters of the group. The second general assembly was held in Santos, Florida in the year of 1919., A general assembly was held in Alachua, Florida in 1922, the four (4) leading elders drafted a charter which is now known as the Church of God By Faith, Inc. The first officers were: Elder John Bright (Moderator) Elder Aaron Matthews (Bishop) Elder N. Scippio (First National Evangelist), and Elder Hubert Stedman (Executive Secretary.), The third general assembly was held in Alachua, Florida and continued there until 1940., The general assembly moved to Ocala, Florida in the year of December, 1941, where it is now held. . This historical marker was erected by The Church of God By Faith, Inc.. It is in Ocala in Marion County Florida