Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers that L-R, 1935, Mother Lizzie Robinson and First Chief Apostle Bishop Charles Harrison Mason sitting together in Memphis, TN World Headquarters. You can just click on this picture above to go to YouTube Video on the Biography of Mother Lizzie Robinson composed by Rev. Elijah L. Hill. 

2005, Rev. Elijah L. Hill writes the only biography of Mother Lizzie Robinson's life story at that time called "Women Come Alive."  It chronicles her life story from her birth 1860 her death in 1945.  Just click on this picture with the above book cover "Women Come Alive it will take you to view part 2 video on Mother Lizzie Robinson's life story  http://www.youtube.com/user/kinglionhill#p/u/43/2NmY6cnmo8o click on this next link to go to Amazon.com to order copies at http://www.amazon.com/Women-Come-Alive-Elijah-Hill/dp/0971928819

In 2006 Rev. Elijah Hill takes a picture with Mother Willie Mae River current International Mother of the Church of God in Christ World Wide who helped to promote his book at her Women's Convention in 2005 in the City of Atlanta she loved the book on the life of the founding Mother of the current movement that she is over.  Mother Rivers announced the book at her personal meetings and allowed Rev. Hill to announced it before the 20,000 attendees in Atlanta because of the rich history that Elder Hill unveiled about the founding Mother in his book.

In 2006, this above mentioned book was Reviewed in The Whole Truth Magazine the National Magazine for the Church of God in Christ Worldwide surrounding, Rev. Elijah L. Hill's book "Women Come Alive" surrounding the Biography of Mother Lizzie Robinson's life story by Dr. Adrienne M. Israel professor of History and intercultural studies at Guilford College. Just click on the above picture of the book review to view Part 3 of Mother Lizzie Robinson's life story. http://www.youtube.com/user/kinglionhill#p/u/42/4uPbaMZ-CA8

Click on this Enrichment Magazine below to see the Video produced by Rev. Elijah L. Hill, on the Interracial Worship that Bishop William J. Seymour and Bishop Charles Harrison Mason developed during the 20th Century Pentecostal Movement in America.

In 2006, the Assembly of God's Enrichment Magazine dedicated to the 100th Years of Pentecostalism in America they highlighted Rev. Elijah L. Hill's book, "Women Come Alive" as one of the important books to read for Pentecostals, and it was reviewed by the Assemblies of God's Theological Seminary that year and by Dr. Deborah Gill head of Women's Issue in the AG denomination, just click on this link to see the their review  http://agseminary.edu/encounter/book_reviews/2006_summer/review_hill.htm

His arguing statement of her significance before the Nebraska State Historic Society in 1993.

January 1993, Rev. Elijah L. Hill stands before the Nebraska State Historic Society, and presents his argument via slide presentation sharing with them that Mother Lizzie Robinson's history is significant not just locally in Nebraska as a humanitarian, but globally since she financed and sent female missionaries all across the globe while living in Omaha, Nebraska.  The State of Nebraska Historic Society had to approve the application and presentation by Rev. Elijah L. Hill proving his argument before sending it to the Federal Registry of Historic Places in Washington, D.C.  The Federal Registry of Historic Places in Washington, D.C. then had to accept or reject his argument that Mother Lizzie Robinson's history was significant to America's national history under the criteria of religion.

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovered in 2005 that Mother Lizzie Robinson an ex-slave born in 1860 and her female missionaries influenced the Church of God in Christ Global Vision, and before women's suffrage rights, she built up an army of spiritual deborah's within the 20th Century Pentencostal Movement

In 1992, in Omaha, Nebraska, Rev. Elijah L Hill takes this picture of the 2864 Corby St the famous Lizzie Robinson House that was placed on the Federal Historic Registry of Historic Places National historic site because of its significance to Mother Lizzie Robinson's life.

In 1992, in Omaha, Nebraska, Rev. Elijah L Hill takes this picture of the 2864 Corby St the famous Lizzie Robinson House the inside walk way as you enter the living room area Rev. Robert Alexander at that time was the step son of Ida Baker Mother Lizzie Robinson's foster grandson he totally remodeled the house.

The residence at 2864 Corby Street is significant under National Register Criterion B, associated with the lives of persons significant in our past, because it is the only extant building in Omaha associated with Mrs. Lizzie Robinson. 

Here is a personal photo of Mother Lizzie Robinson just click on the above picture or this link below to see Part 4 of the documentary on Mother Lizzie Robinson's life story.  http://www.youtube.com/user/kinglionhill#p/u/41/hem3w6IUoio

Lizzie Robinson and her husband Reverend Edward D. Robinson resided at 2864 Corby Street with their daughter from 1916 to 1924.

Pastor Edward D. Robinson Husband of Lizzie Robinson, and First Pastor of the Robinson Memorial Church of God in Christ in Omaha, Nebraska.

In 1916, Edward and Lizzie Robinson founded the Church of God in Christ in Omaha, the first church of that denomination in the state of Nebraska. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers that this is the original structure of the first Church of God in Christ that was built by Pastor Edward D. Robinson and Mother Lizzie Robinson in and around 1938 in Omaha, Nebraska.  Click on this link below to see a roll call of significant photos on the history of the Women's Department http://www.youtube.com/user/kinglionhill#p/u/27/BUT-4ghnWto

Mrs. Lizzie Robinson is significant historically for her role as national organizer of the women's ministry for the Church of God in Christ, the largest African American Pentecostal denomination in the world.  Many of the denomination's early pioneers stayed at the Corby Street when they visited Omaha.  Criterion Consideration "A" is applicable and is met through the property deriving significance for its association with a person important in religious history. 

The Pentecostal movement's roots track back to the economic, social, and cultural crises of the late nineteenth century, when events such as industrialization, rapid urban growth, and changes in Protestant denominations caused major changes in people's lives.  The Wesleyan movement contributed the concept of sanctification and --crucial to the formation of Pentecostalism-- the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire.  The latter concept is attributed to a lay Baptist preacher in Nebraska named Benjamin Hardin Irwin.  The second influence was the Reformed emphasis upon power for service, an endowment of power that enabled a Christian to witness, sacrifice, and serve.  The third concept was the Plymouth Brethren belief in dispensational  premillennialism--the idea of an imminent secret rapture of the saints, immediately followed by seven years of Great Tribulation, the Second Coming of the Lord, and the Millennium.  The final contributor was a new theology of faith healing.  The Pentecostals adamance on speaking in tongues as a sign of the baptism finally separated Pentecostals from the main body of the holiness movement

In 1905, William J. Seymour, the most enigmatic major figure in the early history of Pentecostalism, attended a Bible school in Houston and, in 1906, brought those teachings to a black holiness group that (short while later) met in abandoned warehouse on Azusa Street in Los Angeles.  at first, the Azusa revivals were interracial:  eventually they were exclusively black.

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In 1906 Bishop William J. Seymour's inter-racially mixed pentecostal congregation some of the key named Pentecostal personalities on this photo is Bishop William J. Seymour, Clara Lum, Glen Cook, John G. Lake, just to name a few

In and around 1907 founder of the Azusa Street Mission Bishop William J. Seymour sitting bottom left next to some of the early pioneers of the Modern Day Pentecostal Movement names like L.P. Adams, John G. Lake, Bostic and more. 

The Azusa Street revival had a strong influence on it's participates, an influence instrumental in the formation of the Pentecostal churches.

In the United States there are more than three hundred Pentecostal denominations.  Two of the largest denominations are Assemblies of God and the Church of God in Christ. 

The Church of God in Christ is the largest African American Pentecostal body in North America, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.

Pictured Mason Temple Church of God in Christ World Headquarters in Memphis, TN, location where Dr. Martin Luther King gave his last speech to the world, "I'll been to the Mountain top," before he was assassinated around the corner at a local Memphis Hotel.

The church was founded in 1907 by Charles H. Mason, one of the most significant figures in the rise and spread of the modern Pentecostal Movement.   Mason was a Missionary Baptist minister who, in 1895, organized an independent congregation in a cotton gin shed in Lexington, Mississippi.

This is the picture of the Cotton Gin House that Bishop Charles Harrison Mason started his Church of God in Christ in 1895, at a Revival in Lexington, Mississippi.

Two years later, in Jackson, Mississippi, C.P. Jones instituted a series of annual Holiness convocations that Mason, J.A. Jeter, and other former Missionary Baptist attended.  Jones, Mason and Jeter then preached together for several years, eventually establishing a congregation In Memphis.

1907, Mason attended the revival meeting at Azusa Street and accepted those beliefs.  Mason returned from Los Angeles to find that a Pentecostal revival had already begun in Memphis; however, Jones and Jeter's group reorganized, taking the name the Church of God Holiness USA.  The congregations that supported Mason reorganized in the fall of 1907 as the Church of God in Christ, with Mason as general overseer and chief apostle (bishop). 

This picture of Bishop Charles Harrison Mason returning back from the Azusa Street Revival with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1907.  Just click on this link or the picture above to see the video surrounding Bishop Mason's Ministry and Mother Lizzie Robinson's life story.  http://www.youtube.com/user/kinglionhill#p/u/40/SBZFbCB5G4U

Until 1914, the Church of God in Christ was interracial.  By ordaining ministers of all races, Mason performed an unusually important service to the early twentieth-century Pentecostal movement. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovered that Overseer William Holt he was national secretary for Bishop Mason's national organization for over 25 years he was a white minister that lived in California. This picture of him was discovered by Rev. Elijah Hill in the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) files surrounding their investigation, which confirmed their suspicions that thousands of Whites were following Mason not practicing racial segregation in America during Jim Crow.  The Federal government wanted to know why thousands of white men across the country stood in agreement with Mason (an African American) on the 14th Amendment of the Constitution to not bare arms by refusing the draft in World War I (WWI) as Christian objectors. Overseer William Holt was overseer of the white Church of God in Christ on behalf of Bishop Mason, and the FBI files stated he was over the Hispanic Church of God in Christ. 

He appears to have been the only early convert who came from a legally incorporated church body and who could thus ordain persons whose status as clergymen was recognized by civil authorities.  As a result, scores of white ministers sought ordination at the hand of Mason. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers that Elder Leonard P. Adams lived in Memphis after Mason returned from the Azusa Street Revival, and he was appointed by Bishop Mason as the first Overseer of Memphis in Mason's Headquarter city.  When Mason was challenged in court by C.P. Jones to take Mason's Memphis church, and Elder Leonard P. Adams testified on Mason's behalf in 1908 this is recorded in Selby County Court records surrounding Mason's and Adam's relationship.  Elder Leonard P. Adams 1908 was asked by an attorney in the court case with Mason, this question surrounding his belief interracial mixing or worship in his church was it (all white) [in racial composition] Adam's stated, We don't restrict  ourselves to the baptism, but the love of God and a pure heart" This also demonstrates the interracial connection of white a minister to Bishop Charles Harrison Mason after the Azusa street revival.  This minister named Leonard P. Adams a former attorney he founded a church in Memphis, TN that later became known as the First Assembly of God for the Assembly of God denomination later in the 1920's after Mason sent L.P. Adams to Alabama to start a church there as a Church of God in Christ Overseer or (Bishop).

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers that in Professor Courts Book shown above that was written in 1919 surrounding the life of Bishop Charles Harrison Mason that it confirms that L.P Adams was Overseer of Memphis, TN and that William B. Holt was living in Los Angeles and they were the two white Overseers or (Bishops) on Page 51 of the above shown historic document, Paragraph 2, titled State Overseers for the Church of God in Christ even five years after the Assemblies of God separated in 1914, yet white ministers still were a vital part of Mason's organizational framework.  

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers that pictured above Pastor James Delk a white minister in the state of Kentucky  who was a member of the Church of God in Christ after several whites split in 1914 to form the Assemblies of God.  Pastor Delk was assaulted by Klu Klux Klan because of his faithfulness to an African American religious leader Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, and Jame Delk stayed with Mason's organization for over 35 years until his death, and Pastor James Delk was the individual that went to the government to get permission to have steel released from the Federal War Department in Washington in 1944, so that Mason's Church of God in Christ World Headquarters could be completed. The Federal Government's War department had placed a restriction on the use of steel because of building ships for WWII, and Mason's African American representation had a hard time getting the release.  Pastor's Delk's influence with former presidents like President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and President Harry S. Truman him being a white man during heavy Jim Crow in America was instrumental in Bishop Charles Harrison Mason completing in 1945 on of the largest facilities owned by an African American religious organization at that time. 

Large numbers obtained credentials carrying the name COGIC.     In the years 1909-14, there were as many white Churches of God in Christ as there were black, all carrying Mason’s credentials and incorporation. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers that in and around, 1908-1914, here is a white congregation carrying Mason's organizational name the Church of God in Christ. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers in his Church of God in Christ historical collection that Superintendent Ray McMillen white was located in Louisiana he was in the Church of God in Christ this picture was taken around 1938, and he also served for many years under the Church of God in Christ Mansfield District in Louisiana many whites stayed with Bishop Mason long after the Assemblies of God split. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers in his Church of God in Christ historical collection that taken around 1950 this is Superintendent C.D. Norris who was Church of God in Christ a white minister in Western Louisiana who managed many churches he stayed with Bishop Charles Harrison Mason African American Pentecostal denomination for many years until his death.

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers in his Church of God in Christ historical collection that taken in 1960 Bishop E.E. Hamilton married an African American woman in the Church of God in Christ, he was with Bishop Mason for many years until the day he died.  Today his son is one of our General Board members he was appointed during Presiding Bishop L. H. Ford's administration in the early 1990s he is currently still on the Church of God in Christ General Board a descendant of one of our white Bishops Bishop E. E. Hamilton's son is named Bishop Wilbur Wyatt Hamilton currently prelate of California Northwest he has also served as secretary of the General Board for many years. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers that pictured here is the current General Board Member Bishop Wilbur Wyatt Hamilton who is the son of one our white Bishops of Northwestern California the Late Bishop E. E. Hamilton.  The legacy lives on of the interracial worship and interracial marriage experience of Bishop William J. Seymour at Azusa and Bishop Charles Harrison Mason work 50 years before Civil Rights in America they established interracial worship amongst African Americans and whites during the heart of Jim Crow in America from 1906-1970s and beyond. 

On December 20, 1913,  Elder E.N. Bell and H.A. Gross issued a call to convene a general council of all Pentecostals saints and Churches of God in Christ," to meet the following April at Hot Springs.  This invitation went only to the white saints.  E.N. Bell's periodical, Word and Witness, was not distributed in the black religious community.  On the newly formed General Council of the Assemblies of God. 

Pictured here is E.N. Bell who was the publisher of the Magazine Word and Witness who gave a call to the white Church of God in Christ Saints in 1914.

By 1934 the Church of God in Christ consisted of 345 churches in twenty-one states and the District of Columbia, with more than 25,000 members.  Rapid growth continued, with membership increasing to 382,679 in 1962.  The church reportedly had 3,709,661 members in 52 countries by 1982. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers in his Church of God in Christ historical collection that 1938, Memphis, TN at the Holy Convocation the crowds are intermixed still with whites and African Americans even after 20 years later Mason's leadership was surrounding interracial worship in the early Church of God in Christ, this contradicted racial segregation in America, and established Mason carried William J. Seymour's legacy of the color line was washed away by the blood of the Lamb was institutionalized long after William J. Seymour's death. In 1919, the founder of  the Azusa Street Revival Bishop William J. Seymour himself came to Memphis, TN to Bishop Charles Harrison Mason's national meeting, and confirmed this by stating that the Church of God in Christ would be one of the greatest organization in the Pentecostal faith that would and had contended for his original faith five years before he died it is recorded in the Church of God in Christ minutes of 1919.

The Church further developed when Mason organized the Women's Department, the Sunday School and the Young Peoples Willing Workers (YPWW) between 1910 and 1916.   These departments needed people to run them, and Lizzie Robinson was recommended to Charles Mason as qualified to supervise the Women's Department. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers that printed in 1926 this is a brochure of the first rules develop by Mother Lizzie Robinson for the women's work nationally as the First General Supervisor of Women. You can click on this above historic document of the Women's Work to view a roll call of Women in the Women's department or this link  http://www.youtube.com/user/kinglionhill#p/u/27/BUT-4ghnWto

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers in his research that above is the last letter written by Mother Lizzie Robinson November of 1945 in her own hand writing to the national church a few weeks before she passed at the Holy Convocation in Memphis, TN, with the Omaha, Nebraska address where she lived during her tenure as National Supervisor of Women of the Church of God in Christ World Wide.  You can click on this above historic document of the Women's Work to view a roll call of Women in the Women's department or this link  http://www.youtube.com/user/kinglionhill#p/u/21/8pVDJ8Xc0DU

Lizzie Robinson was the first National Supervisor of Women's Departments of the Church of God in Christ, serving from 1911 through 1945.  She was born a slave on April 5, 1860, in Phillips County, Arkansas.  Her mother, a widow with five children, could not read but did send her children to school. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers that here is Mother Lizzie Robinson's death certificate mentioning her place of birth and her mother and father's names, and where she lived and where she was buried. 

Lizzie Robinson read the Bible to her mother's friends from the ages of eight to fifteen years, when her mother died. In 1881 she married Mr. Wood.  In 1892 she joined the Baptist church at Pine Bluff, Arkansas.  In 1901, at age of 41, Lizzie Wood attended the Baptist Academy (The Morris Booker Memorial College) in Dermott, Arkansas to finish her education and remained there as matron of the school. 

Taken in and around 1911 when Lizzie had left the Baptist school as Matron and was appointed by Bishop Charles Harrison Mason as the First General Supervisor of the Women's Work. 

There she became acquainted with the Church of God in Christ and with Charles Mason.  Lizzie Wood then left the Baptist church and worked for the Church of God in Christ in Trenton and Jackson, Tennessee in 1911.    Charles Mason appointed Lizzie Wood Supervisor of the Women's Department in Memphis, Tennessee in 1911.  She formed the Prayer and Bible Band, the Sewing Circle, and the Home and Foreign Mission Board. 

During this time she met, and later married, Edward Robinson, a minister.  Edward and Lizzie Robinson were evangelists in western United States until they settled in Omaha and founded a church there in 1916.   They lived with her daughter, Ida Baker, and her husband Archie at 2864 Corby street from 1916 until 1924, when the Robinson's purchased a house at 2723 North 28th Avenue.  Ida and Archie moved to Omaha in 1912. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers that this picture taken in 1899 Ida Baker Mother Lizzie Robinson's only daughter who graduated from High School in this picture, and Ida married Archie Baker and left and moved to Omaha, Nebraska.  Later Mother Lizzie Robinson and her husband Edward D. Robinson came to live with them in Omaha, Nebraska in 1916.

The Robinson's church was the first Church of God in Christ in the state of Nebraska.  Shortly after their arrival in Omaha, Mr and Mrs. Robinson began holding afternoon and night services near 27th and Lake Streets.  These services attracted many people, and the Robinson's soon organized a church.  The church was approved by the Bishop the following year.   The congregation continued to grow, requiring the purchase of a new church site to provide more space.  In 1920, the church purchased the property at 2318 N. 26th Street and remodeled the building on that site for use as a church.

 The Church of God in Christ was officially incorporated in 1925, with Edward Robinson as pastor.  The Robinson's son-in-law, Archie Baker, was one of the first members of the Board of Trustees.

Mother Lizzie Robinson's extended family standing L-R Elder Robert Alexander foster son of Mother Ida Baker, Alexanders biological mother, Deacon Archie Baker Ida's husband, Pastor England Holcomb pastor of Robinson Memorial, L-R sitting Elder Alexanders wife and three children, and Mother Ida Baker the daughter of Mother Lizzie Robinson taken in Omaha, Nebraska around 1966 at Robinson Memorial Church after service. 

Lizzie Robinson chose women to accompany her on her evangelical trips after her husband stopped traveling because of his duties with the church.  The women's work grew so rapidly that Lizzie Robinson began state organizations, and the women who had accompanied her became the first State Mothers. 


Rev. Elijah Hill discovers that Mother Lizzie Robinson gave a annual report to the Holy Convocation Annual Souvenir Book in 1925 this document above mentions almost 80 cities in the United States that she traveled in order to assist Bishop C.H. Mason in organizing and building the Church of God in Christ in its infancy stage.

Her daughter Ida then became her traveling companion and assistant, eventually becoming the Secretary-Treasurer of the Home and Foreign Mission Department. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers that 1920 around L-R, Mother Lizzie Robinson and her only daughter her only daughter Ida Baker.

Her husband Edward D. Robinson died in 1937 at the age of 77.  From 1940 through 1945, Lizzie Robinson ran the program through the State Mothers.  She took a great interest in the building of the National Headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee and organized National Drives to raise funds.  

Mason Temple building project in Memphis, TN, L-R, standing Architect, Bishop J. O. Patterson, Bishop U.E. Miller, Bishop A.B. McQwen.

The assembly hall in the new building was named after her.   During her years of service, Lizzie Robinson established an auxiliary program through the local churches and had begun to build the State and National program.  She died December 12, 1945 at convocation in Memphis, Tennessee. 

1945, Omaha, Nebraska World Herald funeral notice for Mother Lizzie Robinson. 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill discovers that in 1945, Mother Lillian Brooks Coffey came to Omaha, Nebraska and purchased this grave stone for Mother Lizzie Robinson she made sure everything was taken care of from the National Churches perspective.  She had the large granite stone labeled "Mother Lizzie Robinson 1860-1945 Organizer of the Women's Department Church of God in Christ."  There was two services held in her honor one at Mason Temple where she died were Bishop Charles Harrison Mason preached her funeral, and one in Omaha,Nebraska for Omaha local residents that loved her so much.  

Robinson is referred to with esteem and praise in several texts.  Some of that commentary follows.  "[O]ne of the church's pioneering ladies'....help...organize and structure the church.  "[She laid] the foundation for the church's women's department...She was distinguished by her gifted teaching ministry...Lizzie Robinson's brilliance as an organizer was foundational to the work of women in the denomination and set the pace for years to come." "No writer could do justice to her life work of this illustrious woman of God, nor of the numerous deeds of kindness done by her, nor the height of esteem in which she was held by thousands of followers.....a woman of very high standing...an outstanding record in public service...an organizer, able to inspire and direct...one of the greatest organizers among Christian women."

Lizzie Robinson played an important role in early days of the Church of God in Christ at the national as well as local level.  The house at 2864 Corby Street is the only extant building remaining from her period of activity in the Church of God in Christ.  The house she and her husband purchased in 1924 at 2723 North 28th Avenue no longer stands, and the frame church at 2318 North 26th Street was replaced by a concrete block church (on that site) in 1949.  According to building permit records,  the house at Corby Street was built in 1910.  The register of deeds shows that the Bakers purchased the house in 1924, but city directories indicate that they lived in the house before the purchase and that Lizzie Robinson and Edward Robinson lived with them until. 1924.  The Bakers remained in that house until the 1960s.

Wikipedia mentions about the Nomination of the Lizzie Robinson House just click on this United States Department of the Interior Application to see the Wikipedia Link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizzie_Robinson_House

The Jurisdictional Historian for the Church of God in Christ of Missouri Western  

                                                                                                                                                                                                 P.O. Box 240641
                                                                                                                                                                                     Kansas City, MO 64124

                                                                                                                                                                                               (816) 842-7245  

December 31, 2000

Presiding Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson
369 G. E. Patterson Avenue
Memphis, TN. 38126

RE: The Future of Barker Temple the Mother church of the Midwest

The historic significance of Barker Temple extends beyond this local doorstep or this immediate geographic area too our national Church of God in Christ organization’s heritage; it stands as one of the great historical and spiritual monuments like Mason Temple.  The origin of twenty-first century Pentecostalism the Azusa Street Mission was abandon historically because the Assemblies of God didn’t want to admit that their spiritual fathers were black men like William J. Seymour and our own founder Bishop Charles H. Mason. 

When today God had to raise up black men like Bishop Carlton Pearson, who celebrates Azusa annually remembering how African Americans were the mothers and fathers of even white Pentecostals today.  Even Bishop Carlton Pearson was enlightened while on tour with Oral Roberts in Africa, while leading the thousands of Zu Lu Africans they began on their own to sing the famous “Yes Lord” praise of Dad Mason’s.  Is history important that our poor fore parents sent money over through your local Home and Foreign Mission’s departments to fund our women missionaries that established a church, school, and clinic in Zu Lu African in the early forties when other denomination could not.  

Also, our 1st Assistant Presiding Bishop Charles Blake, who strategically made the move to salvage the memory of the Azusa Street Revival by purchasing the Bonnie Brae House, where William J. Seymour started the prayer meeting that produced the now World Renowned Azusa Street Mission.   When the city of Los Angeles went to the Assembly’s of God before the Azusa Street Mission was demolished; yet their feeling was they didn’t want anything to do with that relic. The Late Bishop W. A. Patterson the father of our present Presiding Bishop GE Patterson built the first brick Church of God in Christ from the ground up in Memphis, Tennessee.   Likewise his friend and fellow yolkman in the brotherhood in Missouri, who was overseer of three states in the Midwest, the Late Bishop V.M. Barker achieved the same by erecting Barker Temple from the ground up.   Both of them following in the footsteps of such a great trailblazer in brick and mortar Dad Mason, who built the Mason Temple the first largest facility constructed owned by African Americans in America’s history.   These events only reveal to us that where we are today is built upon the faith of those that have gone on before us.   That the memories of our great cloud of witnesses is yet before us to preserve for future generations to pull from their strength and testimonies.

Why is Barker Temple’s perpetual future the Mother church of the Midwest important to the national Church?    Now that it is public knowledge that Pastor John Mark Johnson desires to move from the present site of Barker Temple, and that his vision has placed his future sites on a larger more excisable building located in the suburbs out of the 18th and Vine St. area.  We have had our experience of religious political in-fighting here in Missouri Western, but now it is time to beat our swords into plow shares and work together for a greater cause than ourselves.  

I think that the vision of the present pastor of Barker Temple is a good thing, but for us to be asleep on what the final outcome of this precious landmark is a bad thing.   It should be preserved for future generations to enjoy.  This could be a win-win situation for the present pastor and congregation to move, and the national and jurisdiction to control the future use of the building.    The Jazz District Development Corporation has eminent domain rights to all properties in the 18th and Vine area, including Barker Temple.   Without hindering Pastor Johnson progress or vision, we could easily work together on preserving our future heritage. 

We need the help of the national church and the local to leverage the community by showing their concern publicly for the site, and inquiring about its future use for the benefit of the Church of God in Christ.  Al Fleming who is the director of the Jazz District Development Corporation, who was hired by our former black Mayor from out of California.  He spearheaded a very successful redevelopment effort there in California, it just some happens that the Late Bishop Steward’s son is good friends with Al Fleming.  Al Fleming also placed Bishop Steward’s son over the former development in California.  Al had a similar situation in California where a historic black church was in the middle of his development, and he worked with the church to include them into the overall vision of this development.  

One option could be once pastor Johnson moves is to use the facility as a worship center, and a COGIC museum, which I have already spoke to Al Fleming about as a future use.  All of the 200 or more historic photo’s that I have could be utilized, to place a historic photo gallery for future COGIC tourist to enjoy.   Other than this if the building is acquired by Al with no indication our interest, it will be used for future office space.  This whole area is being built-up to be a major tourist attraction, and our organization via Barker Temple is strategically planted in the right location.  Nevertheless; if Al Fleming purchases the building in the future, he could still grant the national church consent to have the future use of the building to be designated for the organizations purpose.   This way Pastor Johnson could achieve his goal as well as the history of the national church can yet be preserved.  

Fannie Mae, has given $30 Million dollars to develop this area, and there is presently construction going on all around Barker Temple.  There will be limited parking around the facility, but there is presently a two story parking garage being built on the corner.   Over in my neighborhood the Beacon Hill development, only six blocks from Barker Temple.  Fannie Mae, has contributed $45 Million dollars to rebuild this neighborhood, there will be $80,000 dollar house constructed, as well as the new Bruce R. Watkins interstate.   Just only seven blocks from this development area Truman Medical Hospital will is investing $100 Million dollars over the next five years on the other side of Beacon Hill’s $45 Million dollar development.  I just hope that we as a Church do not close our eyes, and then open them later with much regret.

Yours the His Kingdom will Come

Prophet Elijah Hill

CC: The General Board, Bishop Newton.

October 31, 1994, Rev. Elijah L. Hill when he moves to Kansas City, Missouri contact Mayor Cleaver to let him know he is in town.

November 14, 1994, Mayor Cleaver response back to Rev. Elijah L. Hill about meeting with him and appreciating his background while a resident of Omaha, Nebraska.

1998, Kansas City, Missouri Women's International Convention Rev. Elijah L. Hill produces a Historic Photo Album for the Visiting Women's International Convention.   Rev. Elijah L. Hill has a series of historical photos of the International  Women's Ministry in photos for over 50 years.

1998 in Kansas City, Missouri Bishop E. Harris Moore appoints Elder Elijah Hill as Jurisdictional Historian of Western Missouri here is the proposed projects for Elder Hill's office.

March 1998, Rev. Elijah L. Hill  writes a letter representing the National African American Museum of Religions supporting the International Women's convention that was to be hosted in Kansas City, Missouri's Downtown Bartle Hall.

Rev. Elijah L. Hill in 2001 receives a response from his 1/2 Millionaire grant proposal from the Federal Government that his application was not accepted to create a Technology Center in the 18th and Vine Historical District in Kansas City, Missouri. 

March 14, 2002, Rev. Elijah L. Hill finishes his Master in Instructional Technology at MidAmerica Nazarene University, and is hired at Banneker Technology Charter School.  He develops a technology lab learning Center for the students at this school.

March 14, 2002, Rev. Elijah L. Hill and Marian Brown principle of Benjamin Banneker Charter Academy agree with Rev. Elijah Hill being the systems operator for the Charter School in Kansas City,, Missouri.

In 2002 in the Summer Rev. Elijah L. Hill taught a summer class for youth from age of 12-16, showing them how to develop business plans through the Youth Creating Enterprises and Opportunities program at one of Kansas City, Missouri's Community College off 18th and Prospect St.

April 2002, Rev. Elijah L. Hill goes to Missouri's state capitol to meet State Representative Craig Bland, 43rd District representative surrounding discussions on how Charter schools in Missouri can increase their use of technology with their students through engaged learning.  Rev. Elijah L. Hill meets Joyce Gautha principle of Urban Community Leadership Academy Charter School that next year Rev. Hill was able to with his consulting firm get $500,000 in Federal E-rate grants to upgrade Mrs. Gautha's school.

ppointed for a three year term with the State of Nebraska Humanities Council Speakers Bureau form 1993-1996 speaking on Mother Lizzie Robinson's Humanitarian global works.

Rev. Elijah Hill's proposal of a new topic for the State of Nebraska's Speakers Bureau

ABSTRACT:

The African American resident of Nebraska, Mother Lizzie Robinson, and her worldwide Humanitarian works. 

THE PERSON: Lizzie (Woods) Robinson was born a slave on April 5, 1860, in Phillips County Arkansas.  For over thirty one years she resided in Omaha, Nebraska, where she headquartered her International organization, for the betterment of humanity abroad.  She continued in this life long work until the day of her death, on December of 1945, where she is presently buried in Omaha.

HER WORK: Around the time of the Great Depression, when our nation struggled within it's own economy to remain stable. This woman born in slavery having over came great disadvantages, as a woman, a African American, from a social-economic stand point.  In 1911, she started out developing and organizing throughout the United States and overseas, several social economic programs whereby, the traditionally disenfranchised grass-roots people could support themselves economically.  There were three main programs that she organized, and then trained hundreds of women throughout the United States to be satellites of her programs. The three programs created were called, Sewing Circle, Sunshine Band, and Home and Foreign Mission. 

A case in point of one of these programs, the sewing circle included things like:  encouraging the art of needle work, which created a means to make clothing for children, and also to convert it into a in-home business to support families.  The Sunshine Band was centered around increasing child development skills in women.  She taught them on subjects like, home economics, health care, personal management, parenting skills, and family relationships.  These are only a small portion of her work as being a national and International helper of humanity. 

HER REPRESENTATION: Mother Lizzie Robinson represents several cultural historic themes centered with confines of her life story.  She represents the early socio-economic struggles of women, minorities, and religion.  Her life is one of the great examples of being disadvantaged, and dedicating most of your life, to the promoting of the human welfare of others. 

April 25-28, 2006

Event During 100th Year Azusa Centennial The Bishop William J. Seymour Symposium, A Scholarly examination and critique of the life and ministry of Bishop William J. Seymour.  Held at West Angeles COGIC, Los Angeles, California

Rev. Elijah L. Hill invited to present on the topic of

Bishop C.H. Mason Contending for the Faith of William J. Seymour

Introduction

In the book of Jude Chapter 1 and verse three in the Holy write it holds within its canals a verse that refers to the essence of my dissertation today.  Notice now with in the body of this text it reads, "I write unto you of the common salvation." This verse refers to the common salvation meaning that no one person, group, people, or organization can isolate or possess "the Common salvation” as only for themselves.  Invariably it is not mine or yours, but it this faith that we a lewd to today is given by God to the overall human family as a gift.  Ironically, we can only share it for God truly made it as such would be common to man.  This will be my thesis within the confines of my dissertation that William J. Seymour & Bishop C.H. Mason shared a commonality and partnership of faith (If you will)  that was worth preserving that future generations like us would one day ponder. Therefore if something is of grave importance to you then as the latter verse says in Jude, "Ye (you using the modern day vernacular) should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Therefore I will share with you three points that will constitute the structure of my dialogue, number one what faith of William Seymour did Bishop Mason contend for, number two, why did he contend for his faith, and three how did he contend for William J. Seymour's faith.

Body

Bishop Charles Harrison Mason lived from 1866 to 1961, and was the founder of the Church of God In Christ.  The legacy he left to history is that he became one of the most significant figures in the rise and spread of the modern day Pentecostal Movement.  He was born the son of ex-slaves September 8, 1866, on Prior Farm just outside of the Memphis, TN area. 

In and around the beginning of February in 1907 attends as one of many eyewitnesses the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California.   What he finds there under the ministry of William J. Seymour causes him for five weeks of his life to forget about all that he knew before to seek after something he did not possess the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of seeking in tongues.   The Apostolic Faith Newspaper of Pastor Seymour's documents Mason's presence and testifies of his final desire from God being fulfilled receiving the Holy Ghost infilling at the revival, it states, “March 19th 1907, was a wonderful day the Mission on Azusa St.  Three ministers from TN received the endowment of power from on high and the glory of God filled the upper room."

Elder Elijah Hill in April 2006 shared his chapter on this above book he wrote, "The Azusa Street Revival, wrapped in swaddoling cloths lying in a manger

Elder Elijah Hill in April 2006 shared his chapter on this above book he wrote, "The Azusa Street Revival, wrapped in swaddoling cloths lying in a manger

In 2006 this above issue of the Whole Truth Dr. David Hall, Sr, asked Elder Elijah L. Hill to write a review on the Azusa Street Revival William Seymour Rally, since Elder Hill had attended the event and Dr. Hall was familar with his writing ability.

The influence and spiritual impact of William J. Seymour's sermonic style and theological doctrine of Pentecost inspired Mason for the duration of his life and ministry. From that moment on Mason would never be the same he had been translated from just his former holiness faith too becoming for the next fifty of his life a standard for Pentecostalism in America.   Bishop Mason wrote with his own words in and around the year of 1918 about how his face to face experience felt like to sit attentively under the teaching of Seymour,  he state,  "I also thank God for Elder Seymour who came and preached a wonderful sermon.  His words were sweet and powerful and it seems that I hear them now while writing."

Mason gives a personal eyewitness account of the wonderful sermons and teachings of Elder Seymour while being personally in attendance at the services of what we celebrate and commemorate today as Azusa Street Revival.  Therefore, is it not true that just as Mason was amazed by his ministry one hundred years ago, this same Azusa Centennial event taking place here today has caused generations to still be left standing here wondering once more.  Elder Mason describes his personal observations and ministerial critique of Elder Seymour's sermonic presentation and doxology that consisted of three main points of appeal after the conclusion of his sermons; he memorized and recollects Seymour's very words,

"All of those that want to be sanctified or baptized with the Holy Ghost, go to the upper room, and those that want to be healed go to the prayer room, and those that want to be justified, come to the alter."  

Bishop C.H. Mason having been a denominational leader and gospel preacher for over ten years was amazed at William Seymour's God given exegesis of the 2 Chapter of the book of Acts.  He had heard many a preaching styles, but never had a man spoke like this surrounding the gift of tongues as evidence, but that the believer should manifest it by demonstrating divine love for all nationalities.  To justify my point it records twelve years later William J. Seymour arrives in Memphis, Tennessee to attend Bishop C.H. Mason's 12th Annual Holy Convocation.  The secretary records the interaction between these two men, and Mason greets Seymour before all his overseers, pastors, and organizational leader.  To celebrate Seymour coming Mason recalls and recollects to Seymour some of his most noble phases and statements that were original only to Bishop Seymour, which demonstrated he had been a student of his oral style.  It states in December 1919, that and I quote, "Chief Apostle Mason made some very timely remarks by way of responding in the noble sayings of Elder Seymour."

Bishop Ithiel Clemmons, stated 1996,  that Douglas Nelson's went beyond these older studies by offering the first rigorously historical effort to understand William J. Seymour as a "theologian" who demanded that racial equality and love must accompany glossolalia if it was to serve as the sign of the outpouring of the Spirit as on the Day of Pentecost.

The bases of his theological doctrine was stated in the September 1906 issues of his newspaper, which says,

“We are not fighting men or churches, but seeking to displace dead forms and creeds and wild fanaticisms with living, practical Christianity."  Love, Faith, Unity are our watchwords, and victory through the Atoning blood" our battle cry." 

William J. Seymour believed that the works of the Holy Spirit involved more than just displaying tongues, but his theological belief was that breaking down cultural barriers between races was the real manifestation of God's true kingdom truth. 

This was the original doctrinal teaching of Seymour, and this is why he was the vessel of choice of God to introduce this to the whole world globally.

Bishop C.H. Mason was so profoundly impacted by this doctrine of divine love that after leaving Azusa his rejection by his life long friend would not allow himself to be contentious with his life long close friend C.P. Jones.

In the November 28, 1908 one year later, Bishop C.H. Mason writes the Apostolic Faith Publication sharing his testimony about his battle with C. P. Jones who expelled him because of his experience of being filled with the Holy Ghost at the Azusa Street Revival.  Here is some of his dialogue, which states,

"Praise the Lord.  The fight has been great.  I was put out, because I believed that God did baptize me with the Holy Ghost among you all.  Well, He did it and it just suits me.  Glory in the Lord.  Praise His name.  I sit under His shadow with great delight; His banner over me is love."

Bishop C.H. Mason found himself faced with his great test of this new found faith given to him through the Spirit within the vessel of William Seymour.  Leaving the Azusa Revival newly birth into this Baptism he was given a choice by his life long friend to forget about this new experience of be cut off from fellowship from the denomination he help build for the past decade.  Nevertheless, Mason found himself no sooner than he returned home to Memphis contending for the original doctrine of Pentecost revealed to while sitting at the services of the Azusa Street Revival.  Bishop C. H. Mason's mantle of truly defending Seymour's doctrine, by suffering one of the greatest losses a great ministry comrade and life long friend, in order to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints at the Azusa Street Mission. 

Bishop Mason's belief in the principle of Devine love that Seymour taught encouraged him to look at C. P. Jones as his brother despite his rejection of himself. 

Pastor William Seymour had challenge Mason through his dynamic theological genius giving to him by God to cause Mason to demonstrate he had truly received the Baptist by not just being preoccupied with the gift and not the fruit of the Holy Spirit. 

Bishop C.H. Mason had to make up his mind early to either allow his child like experience to be ripped out of his heart, or to bear his bitter sweet cross at the same time.  Ironically, Mason's vision he had the second night of the service at the Azusa Street Revival had came to pass.  The second night of service at the Azusa Street Mission Bishop C.H. Mason saw a vision as God's presence filled the room.  He stated,

"I saw myself standing alone and had a dry roll of paper.  I had to chew it.  When I had gotten it all in my mouth trying to swallow it, looking up towards the heavens there appeared a man at my side.  I turned my eyes at once, then I awoke and the interpretation came.  God had me swallowing the whole book, and that if I did not turn my eyes to anyone but God and Him only, He would Baptist me." 

Bishop C.H. Mason had through his heaven vision asked God if he would give him the Holy Ghost Baptist he would eat the whole book.  As the prophet Ezekiel stated in the third Chapter and first verse, which states,

(1) Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. (2) So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll.

Mason's initial experience was sweet in his mouth by receiving this new experience and doctrine, but it soon became bitter in his belly.  Yet, he had made a vow before God to not take his eyes out of the Master, if he would bestow on him this great gift.

Mason left his Azusa experience but refused to be denied the opportunity to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints at the Azusa Street Mission.  Holding firm to the scripture in Jude 1:3, which states,

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints," 

Mason's heart was not just to uphold the relevance of the importance of speaking in tongues as the initial evidence, but supporting divine love too redefines the religious and political ideologies of mainstream Christian.  That the Holy Spirit baptism was a means to an end to unite all of God's people on the earth as a color-blind and non-racial family in the earth, to bring God's spiritual family together as one before the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

One of Mason's famous says from the scriptures that penetrated his denominational culture was found in Hebrews 12:14, it states, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness without no man shall see the Lord."

The emphasize from the older saints was that you had to live right in order or your testimony to have any real substance.  This included true holiness meant to peruse peace with all men, for instance, you in Mason's view could not profess the Holy Ghost and be at odds with your brother.

The bases of Pastor William J. Seymour's theological doctrine was stated by himself in the September 1906 issues of his newspaper, which says,

“We are not fighting men or churches, but seeking to displace dead forms and creeds and wild fanaticisms with living, practical Christianity."  Love, Faith, Unity are our watchwords, and victory through the Atoning blood" our battle cry." 

William J. Seymour's message was to transform his present society and prepare them for the coming Kingdom, and his soon coming King.   He did not believe that the rules of our government took precedence over the true government of heaven.

The government of heaven included in Seymour's theological platform viewed a non-existent color line on earth as it is in heaven.  He literally took God at his word that God's Kingdom was coming, and that His will being done on earth was to bring together the Body of Christ through the practice of true love for one another.

Basically, Seymour instituted with God's power behind him a vision that would literally transform America's Jim Crow society almost fifty years prior to the civil rights movement in America.  The late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stated sixty years later,  "The most segregated time in American is on Sunday morning when we all go to our several houses of worship based upon our color."

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's., goal was to achieve desegregation through non-violent protest fifty years later.  William J. Seymour experienced this utopia fifty years earlier.  The over shadowing power of God's Spirit filled all races into one baptism and caused an immediate supernatural character change from racism to loving your neighbor as yourself, which is the original intent of God's Holy Word.  This is the second greatest commandment in the New Testament.

The theological position of William Seymour was the missing bases for Christianity which was divorced of racial segregation, and embraced an interracial worship experience as God's spiritual civil rights activist.

The difference in the normal mainline denomination was that African Americans took their doctrine from their white counterparts.  William Seymour and his protégé Bishop C.H. Mason developed their doctrinal position of interracial worship from God's revelation of them by the Holy Scriptures alone. 

If Seymour would have been the typical African American preacher during Jim Crow in America, he would have solicited his white father in the gospel's theological stance (Charles Parham) that God supported segregation of worship.

Seymour ultimately rejected this and being a son of ex-slaves proclaimed a bold position that racism, sexism, and the like were wrong. The love of one another was necessary to bring the Body of Christ in alignment for her bridegroom and soon coming King.

This vision that Mason saw revealed to him how he would carry the Pentecostal doctrine of Seymour as a part of his message to the world through his Church of God in Christ organization he had started ten years earlier. 

Later this vision becomes true because Mason becomes one of the most influential leaders in the infancy stage of the Modern Day Pentecostal Movement.  To also confirm this point, almost twelve years later the tables would turn, and William J. Seymour would be visiting Bishop C.H. Mason at his world headquarters during his 12th Holy Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee in December of 1919. 

This event occurred three years before William Seymour died in March of 1922.  This special visit that he made was to acknowledge, and place his blessing upon the importance of the Church of God in Christ movement within the future of Modern Day Pentecost.

This paragraph was recorded by recording secretary in the assembly of hundred or more pastors and overseer throughout the United States that followed the ministry of Chief Apostle Bishop Charles Harrison Mason.  The minutes stated in December 10, 1919 Thursday morning three years before the death of Pastor Seymour, secretary writes in the minutes, 

"Elder W.J. Seymour of Chicago, who also was one of the founders of this great movement, came to us at this hour. How glad our hearts were made to meet him.  Order of business was suspended for a few minutes to greet him.  Elder Seymour then spoke of his long and wearisome trip and how glad he was to get here.  He said he looked upon the Church of God in Christ to be the greatest movement on earth.  Therefore he rejoiced to stand among the greatest people on earth.  He asked us to contend for the doctrine.

In my conclusion comments

Bishop C.H. Mason, took Seymour's non-racial theological platform of divine love, and broadens and institutionalized that prospective within the modern day Pentecostal Movement.  The impact of Bishop Mason's profound organizational genius during the infancy stage of Modern Day Pentecost became one of the most direct influence black churchmen upon Modern Day Christendom.

Here are some of the many ways that Mason's influence took interracial relationship to the next level with Pentecostalism in America. 

1. From 1909-14 Mason institutionalized interracial and nonracist interaction by allowing white Pentecostal to administratively carry his   and August Feick.

3. In 1916-1919 Mason conducted healing campaigns in city auditoriums for all white groups, therefore institutionalizing interracial worship at a time when segregation practices was the culture of American history.

4. In 1914, in Hot Springs, Arkansas Mason was invited to speak and attended the first Assembly of God convention, where he was looked to by white Pentecostals to invoke his blessing upon the start of their denomination.

5. In 1907, institutionalized interracial and nonracial interaction by appointing a white brother to a national position William B. Holt as his national recording secretary.

6. In 1918, Mason institutionalized interracial and nonracial interaction by submitting a pacifist and conscious objector stance with US Government, which cause thousands white and black Pentecostal to unify surrounding the draft laws surrounding WWI.

7. In 1918-1919, Mason institutionalized interracial and nonracial positioning that provoked the FBI and the United States government prosecutes Mason for treason against the United States government.

8. In 1911, Mason appointing a woman to a national position within his denomination, keeping with Seymour's visibility of women working along side the men in ministry.

Bishop C.H. Mason demonstrated the true essence of the first-century apostle's mantle, and was the greatest example of an Apostle in the twentieth-century Pentecostal movement that personally received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the Azusa Street Mission in 1907.  His adamant desire to maintain the true essence of the Azusa Street Revival allowed the type of growth that led to his organization becoming one of the largest African American Pentecostal organizations in American history.

Church of God in Christ National Publishing House Requesting Rev. Elijah L. Hill as a writer on their Sunday School Curriculum June 6, 2006 by Dr. David Hall, CEO, Memphis, TN.

Re: Elijah's New Book Review For Whole Truth

From:	Elijah Hill <hilsker@yahoo.com> View Contact
To:	David Hall <dahcogic@yahoo.com>
; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; height: 15px; float: right; background-position: -527px 1px;">	ElijahhProfessional.doc (36K

---

Dr. Hall, as per our telephone conversation today it would be a pleasure serving with the publishing aspect as it relates to the Sunday School Curriculum.  Here is my resume for you to submit with your other applicatants.   Look forward to hearing from you soon.  God Bless!

 

Elder Elijah L. Hill

214-636-7668

David Hall <dahcogic@yahoo.com> wrote

--- Elijah Hill wrote:
 Hello David, here is the new book review submittee by Professor Israel that you can use for the Whole Truth Magazine. Contact me if you have any questions.

> Elder Elijah Hill

Elder Hill,

Would you consider writing a Sunday School curriculum?  I need a male writer and later an offer of some

titular authority will be coming as we make some
transitions.

Call me and lets talk
David Hall, CEO

WRITERS CONFERENCE 2006 ARTICLE AND PHOTO IN WHOLE TRUTH MAGAZINE WITH ELDER ELIJAH L. HILL IN ATTENDANCE IN MEMPHIS, TN.

Appeared in the Whole Truth October issue of 2006 it read:

Memphis, TN--The Church of God in Christ Publishing House hosted a conference for curriculum writers.  The conference was conducted by Mother Mae C. Winbush, editor of the Sunday School literature.  Mother Winbush has served along side her husband, General Board member, Bishop Roy L.H. Winbush for nearly forty years. 

Three new writers, Elder Elijah L. Hill, Sister Patricia Stanley, and sister Eula Knox were instructed by publishing house staffers, Sister Anita Brown, Sister Davina King, and Dr. David A. Hall, Sr.  The Elder Jack Whitehead attended and shared his focus for the youth materials. 

It was a time of intense training and development.  The Publishing House is advancing and producing new and expanded materials for the Church.  The new writers will be in training for a short period and will write original pieces for the literature as assigned. 



In December 2008, Elder Elijah L. Hill began to write these above topics for the Junior High Senior High YPWW as a paid staff writer working under Bishop James L. Whitehead, Jr., Elder Hill wrote all of the topic and the lessons for the Winter Quarter from December 2008 to February 2009. 

August 1, 2006 8:25pm

From:	Elijah Hill <hilsker@yahoo.com> View Contact
To:	David Hall <dahcogic@yahoo.com>
Cc:	ehill135@sprintpcs.com

---

I will be sending you my reservations in the next couple of days.

 

Elder Hill

David Hall <dahcogic@yahoo.com> wrote:

Elder Hill,


Is September 12-13, 2006 good for your travel to
Memphis? Mrs. Winbush is planning to train writers
during this two day period. Email me with an answer. 
Get your flight and send me the cost. I will attempt
to have your reimbursement ready on your departure.


David Hal

Elder Elijah Hill invited by the COGIC Scholars President Raynard Smith to present at the International AIM Convention for the Church of God in Christ surrounding his new book, "Women Come Alive," the life story of Mother Lizzie Robinson

 

From:	Elijah Hill <hilsker@yahoo.com> View Contact
To:	Raynard Smith <rdsmith20@earthlink.net>

---

Bro. Smith, here is the abstract and I will be glad to present on Thursday.  God Bless. 

 

Elder Elijah Hill



Abstract on Mother Lizzie Robinson: Behind every great man, there is a great woman; this saying embodies the life story of Mother Lizzie Robinson. Women fall in the backdrop imagery of the greatest accomplishments of male leaders in the Christian and secular American experience. The achievement of great women in religion and the secular world that are mothers, sisters, and wives that uphold their men down through the annals of time, and who become the cementing foundation of their successes.

The rights of white women at the beginning of the 20th Century were not in existence, let alone the rights of a poor, female, African-American ex-slave. In the year of 1911, eleven years before women's Suffrage Rights, she built up an army of praying women nationally that changed the social, economic, and religious belief of urban and rural black America.

Mother Lizzie Robinson's national prayer and self-help movement in the beginning of the 20th Century Pentecostal Movement also played a pivotal role in how women experienced important leadership development.  This ex-slave rose above the circumstances of sexism, racism, and poverty to encourage others through all-night prayer meetings to look to God for their help. Many men and women in urban and rural America's lives were changed from being a negative influence in American cities and communities too becoming some of the most upstanding and important leaders as a result of Mother Lizzie Robinson's national prayer movement. She based her movement from the scripture in Jeremiah 9:17, which says, "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come."

Out of all of the notable black American women her story and theme is central to understanding the African-American social and cultural life and a critical chapter in the history of our society and
religion in America that has remained silent to long.  She stands out as one of the greatest organizer of
female human capitol among Christian women. In 1991 the United States Department of Interior's National Registry of Historic Places decided that the life and humanitarian accomplishments of Mother Lizzie Robinson was significant to the history of America's cultural fabric and social-economic development nationally.

Bishop Charles Harrison Mason one of the most important figures in the 20th Century Pentecostal
Movement appointed Mother Robinson in 1911, to organize and built out a network of praying women who
could work in every state in the United States. This was the first time in history in the Pentecostal
Movement and traditional denominations that a woman white or black held a national role within an
organized male dominated religion. 

There are several things in her life that historically stands out above most other notable great woman. 

1. She held a national leadership role under a denominational structure despite sexist issues in 20th
Century America.

2. She developed an army of praying women who were trained by her in self-help techniques through the
United States that became change agents in many people’s lives in America.

3. She influenced the global vision of one of the fastest growing African-American Protestant Churches
in America, the Churches of God in Christ.

4. Through her national travels she raised the money to remove the glass-ceiling for African-American women to become foreign missionaries in Trinidad, Cristobal, Canal Zone, Haiti, Costa Rica, British West Indies, Cape Palmas, Africa, Monrovia, Africa, Wisseka Station, Africa, Tubake Station, and Africa.

5. Mary McLeod Bethune, one of the greatest female social advocates in America's history kept close
alliances with Mother Robinson's national army of women through her association with Dr. Arenia Mallory.
Dr. Mallory helped Bethune to establish the National Council of Negro women in 1935, through this national network of women organized and established by Mother Robinson.   Dr. Mallory was one of the men tees of Mother Lizzie Robinson who became the personal spokesperson for Mary McLeod Bethune internationally. Dr. Mallory spoke at many international Women’s Conferences all over the world on Bethune’s behalf. Both Bethune and Mallory were contemporaries who were early pioneers and trial blazers as educators who ran Colleges in early 20th Century America.

6. She built this elaborate women’s' ministry that six years later after her death in 1945 has created a
National Women's Convention in 1951. This fifty-four year old convention is one of the first women's
conventions for African-American women, and travels from state to state annually with women conventioneers ranging from 25,000+ women in attendance. Mother Lillian Brooks-Coffey who continued on with her work after her death in 1945 started this convention. Mother Coffey achieved what had not been done with Mother Robinson's army she galvanized them into a convention of their own, which was a first for any denomination in American's history.

The importance of Religion in the African-American experience cannot be overstated. In their everyday
struggle with economic, political, and cultural oppression, women within and outside of churches historically draw on the traditions of spiritual and biblical images. Most women who rose to prominence as national leaders were at one time church women and teachers such as, Mary Church Terrell (1863-1954), Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955), Nannie Helen Burroughs (1879-1961), and Mother Lizzie Robinson (1860-1945). 

Mother Lizzie Robinson was born a slave on April 5, 1860, in Phillips County, Arkansas. She was born
during a historical transitional period, five years before the Civil War, and spent most of her childhood
during the Post-Civil War Era. At the early age of eight years old her mother sent her to school, and she
learned to read the Bible at the age of eight. Her mother Melvina Smith would bring invite other former
slaves over who could not read to listen to Lizzie read the Bible to them for the next eight years.
Lizzie's mother Melvina impressed upon Lizzie at an early age that education, reading, writing, and using
her skills she could impact the illiteracy of former slaves that was forced on them during slavery. In her
early life the occupational opportunities for women in America was very limited she made a living with one
child being a widow washing white residence cloths in washtubs. Since she was poor she was not able to afford to go to school, but a famous white Missionary named Joanna P. Moore was so impressed by her biblical teaching ability she petitioned the white Baptist Missionary Society to pay for Lizzie to attend the
Baptist Academy. She at forty-eight years old matriculated in College at the Baptist Academy in Dermott, Arkansas around 1908. 

She met Bishop Charles Harrison Mason at the Dermott Baptist Academy, and she accepted his testimony of his Pentecostal experience. She became apart of his organization, and he appointed her in 1911 to organized national all-night prayer and fasting, movements within his organization from 1911-1945 for thirty-four years. In her life she developed many programs within Mason's denomination that encourage entrepreneurship, increased child development skills in women, and family relationships. 

She moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1916 where she headquartered her international women's movement,
where she was buried in 1945 at the Mt Hope Cemetery.  Mother Robinson represents several cultural and historic themes that are centered within the confines of her life story. She represents the early
socio-economic struggles of women, minorities, and religion. Her life is one of the great examples of
being disadvantaged, and yet dedicating most of your life, too the promoting of the human welfare of
others.

Raynard Smith <rdsmith20@earthlink.net> wrote:

Elder Hill,

I know that we spoke about it on the phone but I need to know whether you will be able to present on your book on Mother Robinson at the upcoming AIM convention. Should you accept you will be presenting on Thursday afternoon during the 2pm to 5pm session. Let me know either way. Thank you.

Elder Smith

2007 COGIC Historic Project, August 8, 2006

From:	Elijah Hill <hilsker@yahoo.com> View Contact
To:	Bishop George McKinney <bishopgeorgemckinney@ststephenscogic.org>

---

It was a blessing to be able to speak with you again Bishop McKinney.  As per our telephone conversation today, I am forwarding you this correspondence surrounding your and my discussion about the 2007 COGIC Historic Project that Dr. David Daniels will be coordinating.

 

This is to express my interest in participating in the formulation of the project in whatever way that you of Dr. Daniels wishes.  Look forward to hearing from you soon.  God bless!

 

Elder Elijah L. Hill

214-636-7668

Member of Saintville COGIC, Dallas, Texas

Bishop J.N. Haynes my Bishop

The 100^th Annual Holy Convocation Church of God in Christ

The O.T. Jones, SR. Memorial Educational Institute Rev. Elijah L. Hill participated as a National Seminar speaker for 4 consecutive years at the National Church of God in Christ Convocation.

November 2006-2009 Held During the Church of God in Christ Holy Convocation, in Memphis, Tennessee

Elder Elijah L. Hill, speaks before the National convocation to introduce his class on the importance of Bishop Mason's history

Elder Elijah L. Hill speaking at the National Holy Convocation in Memphis, TN as a Seminar Speaker

Elder Elijah L. Hill speaking at the National Holy Convocation in Memphis, TN as a Seminar Speaker

Rev. Elijah Hill at the 100th Year Celebration of the Church of God in Christ Elder Elijah Hill presents his new book on the historic photo album of the women's movement of the Church of God in Christ the book Th 100 photos of female pioneers that were former leaders in the Church.

Bishop Mason came home contending for his new found faith of Pentecostalism and doctrine of love even though he was taken to court and rejected by his life long friend CP Jones.

1. The conspiracy of CP Jones and other ministers to stop Bishop CH Mason from spreading Pentecostalism within the Holiness Church of God in Christ.
2. The court battles and church property battles that were essentially theological and doctrinal disputes of Bishop CP Jones & Bishop CH Mason. 
3. Bishop CH Mason pushed into position by this denominational dispute to start his own Pentecostal Church of God in Christ in America, in order to maintain his new black theology.
4. In 1919 three years before Bishop William Seymour’s death he can to the Holy Convocation and prophesied that the Lord would use the Church of God in Christ to contend for his lost doctrine.

1. In 1918, Bishop Mason institutionalized interracial and nonracial interaction by submitting a pacifist and conscious objector stance with US Government, which cause thousands white and black Pentecostal to unify surrounding the draft laws surrounding WWI.
2. In 1918-1919, Bishop Mason institutionalized interracial and nonracial positioning that provoked the FBI and the United States government prosecutes Mason for treason against the United States government.
3. The President of the United States Woodrow Wilson agrees to investigate Bishop Mason’s pacifist and interracialism through the FBI investigation started surrounding his ministry, after thousands of whites agreed with Bishop Mason’s position.
4. America’s federal government arrested in Lexington, and tried for treason against the United States government in Paris, Texas now Bishop Mason’s views institutionalized in America’s judicial court system.
5. From 1909-14 Bishop Mason institutionalized interracial and nonracist interaction by allowing white Pentecostal to administratively carry his ministerial licensing.
6. In 1916-1919 Bishop Mason conducted healing campaigns in city auditoriums for all white groups, therefore institutionalizing interracial worship at a time when segregationist practices was the culture of American public.
7. In 1907, institutionalized interracial and nonracial interaction by appointing a white brother to a national cabinet position William B. Holt as his national recording secretary.
8. In 1914, in Hot Springs, Arkansas Bishop Mason was invited to speak and attended the first Assembly of God convention, where he was looked to by white Pentecostals to invoke his blessing upon the start of their denomination.
9. In 1911, Bishop Mason appointing a women to a national position within his denomination, keeping with Seymour's visibility of women working along side the men in ministry.
10. In the Whole Truth News paper in 1933 Bishop CH Mason ask for a boycott of the buses in Memphis, TN, since they were mistreating blacks twenty years before Dr. Martin Luther King’s great Civil Rights Movement in America.

Rev. Elijah L. Hill in November 2008 ran for the National Trustee Board for the Church of God in Christ Headquartered in Memphis, TN.  Here is his advertisement for the election stating his qualification for the position just click on this flyer or this link to see Youtube video of his campaign www.youtube.com/user/kinglionhill#p/u/45/P5earl1B8Fc

 

Rev. Elijah L. Hill reverse side of the advertisement of his political campaign for the Trustee Board Position.

Rev. Elijah Hill's books are listed that have been in print over the past 30 years. 

 

Rev. Elijah L.. Hill, the Whole Truth Magazine for the Churches of God in Christ article about him creating the first On-Line Museum for the Church of God in Christ the offer interaction electronically amongst members of the Church of God in Christ Worldwide he developed it in 2008.  The museum current can be located on the Worldwide web at www.cogicmuseum.org and he named the name after Bishop Charles Harrison Mason and Mother Lizzie Robinson Historical Museum you can click on the flyer above or click on this link to see the cogicmuseum.org live.

HERE IS THE OFFICIAL COGIC MUSEUM WEBSITE IT WAS THE FIRST ONLINE MUSEUM CREATED IN THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST ORGANIZATION JUST CLICK ON THIS PICTURE OF THE SITE BELOW IT WAS DEDICATED BY ELDER ELIJAH HILL AS THE CHARLES HARRISON MASON AND MOTHER LIZZIE ROBINSON MUSEUM MAY 2009.

Rev. Elijah Hill in 2009 created the online museum the National Museum of African American Religions dedicated to all black religions in America to focus on the electronic archiving of their history for future generations just click on the above picture of the front of the site to view the live site.  The United States Congress and Senate approved a bill for the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. to build a museum on the Washington Mall to commemorate African American's history to the history of America Rev. Hill's reason for creating this On-line museum was to start a dialogue with scholars on a national bases to demonstrate the importance of religion to African American's history as Washington, D.C. identifies important topics of our history.

Rev. Elijah Hill in April 2010 develops a site to specifically focus on the electronic archiving of African American Religious history, and to demonstrate his progress by sharing his partnerships of locating the museum in the Chicago, Illinois area.  In 2010 Rev. Elijah Hill produces a documentary African American life in Chicago, Illinois and the history of The Federal site the Swift Mansion, and the importance of African American Religion to America.  The Late Presiding Bishop Louis Henry Ford was one of the first Chicagoan that implemented true historic preservation in Chicago by owning the oldest house in Chicago and preserving it, so Rev. Hill did a dedication of his life as a historian and preservationist in the Chicago area in his documentary you can view it by clicking on this above link.

Rev. Elijah Hill in April of 2011 structured a partnership fundraiser for the National Museum of African American Religions to have a debit card that supporters in Alabama, New Mexico, California, Texas, Colorado, Florida, and Arizona if 19 years of age can open a bank account with $25 to help fund the archiving of history electronically.  The image that you see is how the logo of our organization will look once you have opened your account and had five transactions then  our organization will be funded by private funds.  For more information call one of our Texas local branches 817-860-2061 speak with Nancy Brannan to enquirer about becoming a support of our mission.  Then after you have called Nancy to open up your account, then come back to this site and click on this above banner to download and select our credit card logo to be ordered by the bank electronically.

Rev. Elijah Hill in January 2010 came up with the Clergy Awards as a fundraiser for the National Museum of African American Religions to assist with gather support for the cause of  archiving Black Church History in America, and to develop a way to acknowledge the accomplishments and success of clergy in America. We had an over whelming response of 1000 people vote for nominees for the Clergy Awards electronically via our above site.  Just click on this above picture to find out more about this event.

Rev. Elijah Hill and his organization in 2010 the National Museum of African American Religions organizes a group called the National Ministerial Alliance or ministers that support the archiving and preservation of the Black Churches history.  The reason for this is because it is important to identify those ministers that are willing to collaborate and assist our organization with sharing the word about our mission to archive electronically and preserve African American Religious History. Just click on this link below to find out more about our ministers association for preserving Black Church History. 

Rev. Elijah Hill and his organization 2010 the National Museum of African America Religions developed the idea of the Grooming Fee Campaign to raise 40 Million Dollars to develop a private economic stimulus plan to assist the unemployed and undeserved of American by encouraging the youth of America to have a part in turning around our economic plight in America.  Just click on this link below to find out more on our site.

Rev. Elijah Hill in 2011 introduced this site to share his personal data surrounding his ministry vision and his biography, and sample sermons.  Just click on this link to view my about his detail ministry vision and accomplishments.

L-R, Governor E. Benjamin Nelson of Nebraska and Rev. Elijah L. Hill presenting his award for Rev. Hill's Renaissance of Mother Lizzie Robinson's history in the State of Nebraska

On November 10, 1992, Mayor P.J. Morgan appointed Rev. Elijah L. Hill to the Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission for a three-year term.  The Mayor officially conducted a swearing-in ceremony for Rev. Hill on July 14, 1993, in the legislative Chambers of the Omaha/Douglas Civic Center.  The Mayor invited Rev.  Hill's family to be in attendance. 

Rev. Hill had this year been cited with an award from Governor E. Benjamin Nelson for his civic achievement towards the renaissance and preservation of Mother Lizzie Robinson history.  As a result of his local preservation efforts, Erskine Street from 24th to 28th Street was changed to Lizzie Robinson Avenue; two local properties were designated as historical landmarks; and the house associated with Lizzie Robinson was placed on the Federal Registry of Historic Places in April 1993.  

The National Trust of Historic Preservation, chartered by Congress in 1949 and a non-profit organization with over 250,000 members, has recently elected Rev. Hill to attend their 47th national convention in St Louis, MO., September 29-October  3, 1993, with all expense paid for by the national Trust. 

The National Trust had been organizing a way to incorporate cultural diversity into their national preservation programs.  Two years ago they raised funds to bring grassroots minority leaders into a dialogue with hundreds of preservationist from across the United States.  Their objective is to offer those from various cultural backgrounds the opportunity to participate and take back new skills and understanding to community efforts.  

Since Rev. Hill has been a commissioner on the Omaha City Commission, he has been made chairman for the subcommittee on cultural diversity, and is presently chairman for the Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission for the city.

L-R, Rev. Elijah L. Hill and Mayor P.J. Morgan presents this appointment document of Rev. Hill to the City's Landmark Heritage Preservation Commission Board on July 1993.

City of Omaha certificate of Appointment, I P.J. Morgan, Mayor of the city of Omaha, do hereby appoint Elijah Hill to the Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission.

Rev. Elijah Hill in 1993 at Mayor P.J. Morgan's office Omaha, Nebraska Civic Center downtown participating in the swearing in ceremony.

This appointment has been made on behalf of and in the name of the City of Omaha.  This authorizes you to discharge the duties of said office according to law, to continue for such time as you faithfully perform the duties of this office.  In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the official Seal of the City of Omaha to be affixed. 

Mayor P. J. Morgan

July 14, 1993

July 1993 actual document from Mayor P.J. Morgan to appoint Rev. Elijah L. Hill to the City of Omaha's Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission.

In Whole Truth 1993 Elder Elijah L. Hill and family is pictured surrounding his appointment as the 1st and youngest African American to be appointed by the Mayor of Omaha to the Landmark Preservation Board for the City of Omaha, Nebraska. 

April 2, 1993, Rev. Elijah L. Hill, present a letter to all commission members to consider at their next meeting implementing a subcommittee focusing around cultural diversity making sure all cultures are included in protection historic landmarks in the Omaha, Nebraska area.  He shared a plan that The National Trust for Historic Preservation collaborate with Preservation Commission throughout the country. 

August 19, 1993, Letter from City Planning Attorney Mary M. Elliston response to Rev. Elijah L. Hill's phone call requesting the Omaha City Attorney's office to update him on the city code surround the Omaha Landmarks since he became Chairman of the Omaha Landmarks Commission.

December 15, 1993, Rev. Elijah L. Hill, chairman of the Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission informs members of the commission that he has inquired and consulted with Omaha City Attorney's surround the Landmarks informer rules of order, and that he wishes that the Omaha Landmarks Heritage Commission consider accepting Roberts Rules of Order to assist him in maintaining continuity in our public hearings.

September 8, 1993, Rev. Elijah L. Hill's formal minutes of the Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, and his committee review whether to approve an application to be submitted to the National Registry of Historic Places in Washington, D. C.

In 1994 Rev. Elijah Hill Chaired the City of Omaha's Landmarks Preservation Commission surrounding the designation of Peony Park as a Landmark the event was so news worthy that it became one of the biggest media events recorded in 1994 where the Omaha City Council Chambers was turned over to Rev. Hill and his board members to host this particular meeting.

March 28, 1994, City Councilman Christensen submits a press release for the Omaha news-media that Rev. Elijah L. Hill will announce that he will request utilize his authority under the Omaha City Code to convene a special meeting to consider Peony Park's historical significance before it will be demolished.

March 24, 1994, Omaha City Councilman Frank Christianson sent an official letter to Rev. Elijah L. Hill Chairman of the Omaha Historic Landmarks Heritage Commission requesting that he invoke his authority under the Omaha city statute to at least have a hearing surrounding rather or not Peony Park is of Historical significance before it will be demolished.

April 1994, some of the Millionaires in the city were upset with Rev. Elijah L. Hill that he set a hearing date of review whether or not Peony Park should be considered to be a Historical Landmark for the City of Omaha, Nebraska.  

April 1994, Omaha World Herald Newspaper Article on Rev. Elijah L. Hill as Chairman of the City of Omaha's Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commissions Hearing on Peony Park whether to  demolish it or consider it as a historic landmark in Omaha, Nebraska.

March 28, 1994, The National Trust For Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. release a Press Release Nationally them requesting for preservationist across the country to attend their next convention.  They highlight Rev. Elijah L. Hill as being one of the recipient of their scholarship all expenses paid for when he attended their conference last year.

L-R, Governor E. Benjamin Nelson and Rev. Elijah L. Hill  at Governor's Capital office 1993 receiving Award 

L-R, Rev. Elijah L. Hill and Mrs Hill, Mother Louise Secret, Bishop Vernon Richardson 1992 holding Street Sign Omaha, Nebraska.

Title of Article: State of Nebraska's Governors recognition Award

On February 27, 1993, Bishop Vernon Richardson prelate of Nebraska and Elder Elijah Hill received the Governor's Recognition award from Governor E. Benjamin Nelson.  The award was presented to Bishop Vernon Richardson for his willingness and insight to appoint a historian to establish the rich Nebraskan history of the Church of God in Christ.  Elder Elijah L. Hill was sighted for his civic achievement towards the renaissance and preservation of Mother Lizzie Robinson history in the state of Nebraska.  The night of the occasion Governor E. Benjamin Nelson had someone to read a personalized letter to Elder Elijah L.Hill, it stated, "This effort speaks well of your Dedication to both the State and the Church and you are most deserving of this award.". The International Chairman of the General Assembly, Dr. Frank Ellis, was present at the Red Lion Hotel, Ball Room, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Elder Elijah L. Hill has also appeared before the State of Nebraska's Historical Society, on January 8, 1993, in Lincoln, NE, accompanied by Lynn Myer of the City of Omaha's City planning department.  Lynn Myer is the city of Omaha's Historic Preservation Administrator, who supported Elder Hill's nomination of Ida Baker's former home that is seventy nine years old.  Elder Hill made a fifteen minute slide presentation to the Historical Society's Board, and then they voted unanimously to nominate the last home that was significant in association with the First General Mother Lizzie Robinson, a historic site. 

Mother Robinson's former resident was condemned in 1975.  Elder Robert Alexander presently lives in Ida Baker's house, who is her foster son.  He states that many of the old pioneers would come through, and visit during the time that Mother Lizzie Robinson was alive because of her national position as general mother.  During Bishop C.H. Mason's travels through other states in the Midwest, he stopped through to personally talk with Mother Lizzie Robinson.  Mother Robinson's actual home was smaller than Ida's home, commonly referred to as the "big house." Bishop C.h. mason would stay at Ida Baker's home and many others of the old pioneers like Mother Lillian Brooks-Coffey.

Bishop Mason preached the funeral of Mother Lizzie Robinson, since she died while at the Memphis Convocation.  Mother Dollie M. Matthews, the third state mother of Connecticut presented the last gift from the national women's department.  She presented to Mother Robinson a beautiful white satin, princess style dress with pretty pearl buttons down the front.  At Mother Robinson's last annual national women's day in Memphis, TN., Mother wore her dress.  Her daughter, Ida Baker, "Big Sister" she was called, laid her to rest in it.  Mother Lillian Brooks-Coffey made sure that everything was in order in finalizing her burial in Omaha, she purchased a beautiful head stone that reads "Mother Lizzie Robinson the First General Supervisor of the Women's Department of the Church of God in Christ, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska.

"The Lifted Banner," a magazine established in 1944 by the National Women's Department, was printed and circulated out of Mother Robinson's former home.  The magazine continued for over thirty or more years before it went out of print.  We thank Mother Lizzie Robinson for her untiring love for the growth of the international Organization.  Before Mother Robinson died, she had the neon sign at international Headquarters installed in 1945.  Mother Mattie McGlothen had the replica of the Omaha street sign, named after Mother Lizzie Robinson, presented during Women's Day in the 85th Holy Convocation. Mother Mattie McGlothen is one of the last original state mothers who were appointed by the Late First General Supervisor Mother Lizzie Robinson. 

1993, L-R, Rev. Elijah L. Hill, and Bishop Vernon Richardson at Nebraska Governor's Office to receive Governor's Award

Dear Pastor Elijah L. Hill

Congratulations on the outstanding work you have done to earn the Governor's Recognition Award.  I wish I could be with you in person tonight to present the award, but a previous commitment made that impossible. 

Rev. Elijah Hill and his wife Cathy Hill 1993 stand together after the service to honor him for receiving the Governor's recognition award at the Red Lion Hotel downtown Omaha, Nebraska.

However, I do want you ton know that your efforts to establish the rich Nebraska history of the Church of God in Christ is most appreciated.  This effort speaks well of your dedication to both the state and the church and you are more than deserving of this award. 

Again, congratulations and please accept my apology for being unable to attend this evening.  I wish you all the best in your efforts and my thoughts are with you. 

Sincerely

E. Benjamin Nelson

Governor

L-R, 1992, Presiding Bishop Louis H. Ford and Elder Elijah L. Hill at

in Omaha, Nebraska at Bishop Richardson Inaugural Banquet

Dear Bishop Ford

I humbly appreciate your wise counsel in regards to the resolution from Nebraska, concerning Mother Lizzie Robinson.  I will be mailing a copy of the resolution to your office in Memphis, as you encouraged me that some things can be bet accomplished through executive order. 

We also talked in regards to the Mother Lizzie Robinson street name dedication.  You told me that since Mother Robinson was an International that, the International Church would discuss and plan the dedication some time after the April meeting.  I concurred with this decision that I would place it in your hands, and you let Nebraska know what would be the best timing for this year. 

I wanted to also inform you ahead of time that I have been negotiating with the city of Omaha, in order to purchase back the lot that Mother Robinson's former home use to sit on.  There is also an adjacent lot that Ida Baker owned. In order to buy back these properties, I had to show that we would redevelop and re landscape these two lots. 

In my proposal I also told them of constructing a Museum and Library, which would be named in honor of Mother Robinson.  Since the City of Omaha purchased this specific lot, in order to place a sewer line twenty feet under ground.   The City's of Omaha's property control manager felt that would be showing the historic significance of the land, with plans in mind to redevelop. 

This would give the City Council a good reason to vote in favor of the purchase.  Since an easement would be attached on because of the pipe running under it.  I told the City officials that I would place an offer to purchase the adjacent lot for construction purposes, and then use the next lot for additional landscaping purpose. 

RESOLUTION MOTHER LIZZIE ROBINSON MEMORIAL DAY

RESOLUTION DECLARING JULY 8, THE MEMORIAL DAY OF MOTHER LIZZIE ROBINSON, OUR FIRST GENERAL SUPERVISOR OF WOMEN OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, A HOLIDAY FOR THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST.

WHEREAS, Our Late Mother Lizzie Robinson was appointed, as the First General Supervisor of Women of the Church of God in Christ by our late Founder Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, in and around 1911,

WHEREAS, Mother Lizzie Robinson was born in the State of Arkansas, during the majority of her tenure in office as First General Mother she resided and hailed from the Great City of Omaha, Nebraska. 

WHEREAS, Presiding Bishop L.H. Ford and the Mayor of the City of Omaha, Nebraska have proclaimed July 8, of this year as Mother Robinson Memorial Day.

WHEREAS, The City Council of the city of Omaha has passed two ordinances to landmark the church founded by the late Mr. Edward and Mrs. Lizzie Robinson, in Omaha in 1916, and the home of her late daughter Mrs. Ida Baker; who assisted her mother in her work, and was one of the treasures of the International Home and Foreign Mission Department."

WHEREAS, The City of Omaha's Planning Department has introduced an ordinance tonnage a street in memory of Mother Robinson called "Lizzie Robinson Avenue."

WHEREAS, The Nebraska Jurisdiction's Historical and Women's Departments, and by the will of our Bishop, desire to perpetuate the Loving memory of the First General Mother of our late Founding Father's National work. 

RESOLVED: That in honor and recognition of Mother Lizzie Robinson, and the above mentioned in her family that assisted her work, that July 8, will be and is hereby declared a holiday for all members of the Church of God in Christ throughout the world, that it be hosted in the city of Omaha, Nebraska annually, the place of her burial and where she resided while giving her labor of love to the National Church. 

L-R,  1992, Rev. Elijah L. Hill and Mrs Hill, Mother Louise Secret, Bishop Vernon Richardson hold Mother Lizzie Robinson Street Sign.

Omaha's newest street name is Lizzie Robinson Avenue.  The City Council voted Tuesday to rename a three-block stretch of Erskine Street for the woman who helped organize the Church of God in Christ in Nebraska.  The council approved the ordinance unanimously.  "Lizzie Robinson is significance historically for her role as organizer of the women's ministry for the church." said City Planning Director Gary Pryor. 

Mrs. Robinson and her husband, Edward, started the first Nebraska congregation in Omaha in 1916.  Both are deceased.  That was 10 years after she helped Bishop Charles Harrison Mason found the church in Lexington, Mississippi.  Erskine Street from 24th to 27th Street will be renamed in honor of Mrs Robinson.  Among the supporters of the change were Pastor Elijah L. Hill, state historian for the church. 

The predominately black Church of God in Christ has 3.7 million members worldwide and is the second largest black church in the United States.  The church has 16 congregations in Nebraska, including 13 in Omaha.  Robinson Memorial Church, 2318 N. 26th Street, is named after the Robinson's.  In June, the named after the Robinson's.  In June, the council designated the church and the former Robinson residence at 2864 Corby St. As historic landmarks.  The designations were approved in February by the Landmarks Heritage Preservation commission.