Our History
- True Gospel Holiness
Churches, Inc. -
Thus said the LORD……"You shall go to a country far away and in this language, you shall speak to my people. I will bless you and make you a blessing of many.” This prophecy was given to the young Evangelist Francisco Calderon long before the ship from Fajardo, Puerto Rico docked in Hoboken in the year of 1959.
After coming ashore, Evangelist Calderon, better known as “Brother Frank” searched for a church home. He was directed to Emanuel Pentecostal Church, the little holiness church at 304 Monroe Street under the leadership of Reverend Porter. As he stepped into the church, the spirit of the Lord spoke to Mother Dennis, one of the mothers of the church, “This man is the husband of my daughter.” On January 26, 1960, Brother Frank and Sister Isabel were united in Holy Matrimony.
They remained faithful
members to Emanuel until they moved to Jersey City and began to
assist in the ministry of the Gethsemane Holy Church under the
leadership of Elder Jones. In 1961, Brother Frank, being led of God
founded the True Gospel Holiness Church with his wife and first son,
Francisco Jr. on Pavonia Avenue in Jersey City. The church grew and
moved temporarily to Fifth and Monroe Street in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Over the next few years, the church moved to several locations in
Jersey City---Fifth and Grove Street, 283 Martin Luther King Drive
and 1944 Kennedy Boulevard. In 1983, The True Gospel Holiness Church
moved back to Hoboken where the church continued to flourish, and
Brother Frank became the Founding Presiding Bishop & 1st
Chief Overseer with many ministers and members under his leadership. In March of 1976, Bishop Calderon and Bishop Howell took a trip to Trenton, NJ. and incorporated the church's name. We then became: True Gospel Holiness Church, Incorporated.
In 1980, True Gospel
Holiness Church #2, was established under the leadership of Pastor
Elaine Little and assisted by Minister Melvin Gaddist, Sr. in Newark,
NJ. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the churches later merged and
joined in Hoboken, NJ. Pastor Little was the 1st Woman Pastor in our churches dynamic and remarkable history.
In March 1983, God gave
Evangelist Elizabeth Hardy a vision of a holiness church in her
hometown. No other Pastors/Leaders there shared in her vision except
for Bishop Francisco Calderon. So, Bishop Calderon and his wife,
Evangelist, Mother Calderon, relocated to Brodnax, Virginia. They
with Evangelist Elizabeth Hardy and Evangelist Barbara Garnes
purchased the old post office building and established the first ever
“Church on Main Street” in November 1985. In 2004, they also
acquired the old bank building next door which is currently being
used as the church’s fellowship hall. The church is presently lead
by District Elder, Evangelist Barbara Garnes, Pastor-Elect. District Elder Garnes was elevated, ordained, and consecrated to the office of Pastor on Saturday, December 7, 2013, which made her the Official 3rd Woman Pastor in the True Gospel Holiness Church, Inc. History.
Bishop Calderon left the ministry of Hoboken in the hands of Jr. Bishop Tommie Howell, Jr. who later moved the church to 387 Grand Street in Jersey City. True Gospel Holiness Church remained there until; once again, redevelopment forced us to move to our present home, THE MIRACLE BUILDING at 361 Ocean Avenue. No longer “RENTER” but “OWNER”, PRAISE GOD!!!
In 1991, heeding the
cries for help, Bishop Calderon began a prayer band in the home of
Sister Massenburg. On the first Sunday in February 1992, this work
flourished into the True Gospel Holiness Church at 211 Turner Avenue
in Henderson, NC. On August 17, 2008, the church relocated to 895 Oine
Rd, Norlina NC. It is presently lead by Bishop C. E. Wilson and
pastured by Minister Zula M. Wilson. Pastor Zula Mae Wilson became the 2nd Woman Pastor of the True Gospel Holiness Churches, Inc.
Bishop Francisco Calderon, our founder, went home with the Lord on May 17, 1996. His life touched, impacted and blessed many people from far and near. Four churches established and holding on…..True Gospel Holiness Church, Inc. The Evangelical Churches; the Churches with the Gospel of God. The church that has been commissioned to Go and MAKE DISCIPLES founded by a man called by God who taught and lived the uncompromising the gospel. A man known to give until it hurts, a man of example, a man who sought not man’s approval but God’s, and a man who believed that “Holiness is the Way.”
After Founding Presiding Bishop’s Home Going Celebration, Jr. Bishop Tommie Howell, Jr., a humble man who also believes that “Holiness is the Way” was elected, appointed, and consecrated as the Presiding Bishop, Prelate and General Chief Overseer in the Holy Convocation of 1996. The church under his leadership has added to the fold Sycamore Deliverance Temple of Jersey City, pastured by longtime member, Bishop Willie Irby in the Holy Convocation of August of 1993. Sycamore Deliverance Temple is currently overseen by The Sr. Bishop & Minister Keith Howell, Presiding Elder. The church is presently lead by Evangelist Hattie Ross who was elevated, ordained, and consecrated to the office of Pastor on Sunday, August 16, 2015, which made her the Official 4th Woman Pastor in the True Gospel Holiness Church, Inc. Presiding Bishop Tommie Howell went home with the Lord on February 9, 2022.
Seeing the move of God, but not knowing why God was moving in Jr. Bishop Reuben Calderon to relocate to Richmond, VA. The call to True Gospel Holiness Church; “Go ye therefore and teach all nations”. On February 11, 2007, God manifested the vision of True Gospel Holiness Church in Richmond VA.
…..Those things, which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the god of peace shall be with you……(Philippians 4:9)
TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY, HONOR, & PRAISE FOR THE THINGS HE HAS DONE, IS DOING, AND CONTINUING TO DO IN US!