The State contains a great amount of our church’s history. It is the place of birth of our founder, Bishop Charles Harrison Mason; it is the State where the Historic Mason Temple is located and also the place from which our ministry is conducted throughout the fifty States of America and fifty-six countries around the world.

Among the leaders produced by the Church Of God In Christ, a great number have called the State of Tennessee home. In the embryonic stage of the church, God used Bishop Mason to identify and prepare men and women for service who became well-recognized luminaries. As time passed, others were trained to step into the roles of leadership that have resulted in the success we now enjoy as a religious communion.

At one time, the entire State was under the auspices of one man; however, growth necessitated additional leadership, which led to the creation of East and West Jurisdictions. With a spirit of evangelism permeating the State, growth again dictated additional leadership. It was through this need that the third jurisdiction was created.

An official agreement was drawn up of strict geographical boundaries designating the location of the three jurisdictions. It was determined that the churches located within the city limits of Memphis would comprise the Headquarters jurisdiction. All churches located in the boundaries from the easternmost border of Tennessee westward to the Tennessee River would be called the Eastern Jurisdiction of Tennessee. The remaining territory would be known as the Central Jurisdiction.

The Headquarters Jurisdiction would serve as the seat of the Presiding Bishop and the East Jurisdiction would be led by Bishop Audley King, one of the pioneering pastors of the eastern region of the State. To fill the role of leader for the newly created Jurisdiction, the leadership of the church rewarded one of its most diligent workers. It was on August 1, 1981, at the end of the Jurisdictional Convocation that Bishop J.O. Patterson, Sr., Presiding Bishop of the church announced that Auxiliary Bishop, W.L. Porter, would be elevated to the Sacred Office of Jurisdictional Prelate and would be assigned to the new jurisdiction.

Continuing to show the aggressive leadership for which he was known throughout the church, Bishop Porter immediately began to seek new quarters from which he would be able to administer the affairs of the jurisdiction. His quest would lead him to purchase the former Calvary Baptist Church, which yet serves as the Headquarter Offices for the Tennessee Central Jurisdiction. It was from this site that the Service of Consecration and Installation was held for Bishop Porter. From that night, October 8, 1981, the Central Jurisdiction has grown to become the largest of the Jurisdictions in the state of Tennessee.

The geographic reach of churches in this fellowship spans from Memphis to Chattanooga and beyond. It is comprised of over 70 churches and growing. Presently, there are 11 districts throughout the State of Tennessee.

These Districts Include:

Bolivar // Brownsville // Jackson // McDowell Memorial // Memphis // Nashville // New Clarksville // New Millington // Parsons // Ripley // Rossville

Bishop Brandon B. Porter has been chosen, for such a time as this, to continue the legacy and succeed his father. In November 2009, during the 102nd International Holy Convocation, Bishop Brandon B. Porter was consecrated as the Jurisdictional Prelate of the Central Ecclesiatical Jurisdiction of Tennessee.

Much of the success of Central Tennessee can be attributed to Bishop W.L. Porter. This visionary leader tremendous insight on how to organize and energize people to fulfill the needs of ministry. There is an array of opportunities for ministry workers and leaders to utilize their gifts and talents for the Kingdom of God.