Church History

In May 1941 the Lord moved on Elder Moses Cross, our Pastor to open a Mission for God at 652 East 43rd Street.   Having nine children at the time he and his family had a nine room apartment.   Not being able to pay rent at both places his wife was willing to move in the rear of the store front, just an open space.  After moving she arranged to get drape material and curtained off four rooms for the family to live.   There they lived happily for sixteen months praying and trusting in God.    In the month of October, 1942 they moved to a four room flat in the same building for which they were thankful.

On Friday, May 23, 1941, the first service began at 8:00pm.   Those present were Elder and Sister Cross, Sister Gertrude Nelson Favors, Sister Nola Jones, and Sister Perlina Wilson.   There we knelt in humble prayer, after prayer Scripture was read and the Testimonial Service.   The only members he had to begin his church were his wife and children.   Sister Gertrude Nelson Favors desired to come with us as the Lord had shown her a vision of the church, she felt to become a member.  The Lord sent help from the south, souls were saved and added to the church.   God blessed in a wonderful way, as Elder Cross had to work his wife and Sister Favors carried the service on while the Lord sent others.

In June of 1986, the Lord called His faithful servant to his rest.  We who knew and loved him, still miss him, but know that God needed him by his side, for if there was a Christ-Like-Man on earth, It was Bishop Moses Cross, Sr.

In July of 1986, his eldest son, Moses Cross Jr. was installed as the new Minister of Cross Temple C.O.G.I.C. With his wife, Sister Mattie Cross, he has continued in the way the Lord would have him to go.

While under our new leadership, our Church continues to undergo changes, which all seem to have taught us to grow in grace.

If not for her continued prayers and faith in her eldest son, Our Pastor, our Church would probably not continue to flourish in the ways that it has.   Sister Cross is truly a woman of God, loving, kind and giving in spirit.

We also have another praying saint in our midst in the form of our Pastor's wife, Missionary Mattie Cross.   When they wed in January of 1986, she brought to the union a loving spirit-filled son, Tony Cazeau.   He is a multi-talented, God-fearing young man.   As I said, we do continue to flourish, and our Pastor is adding to his own flock by the way of Little Felicia Diane Cross, born March 9, 1990.

As you can see our Church; Cross Temple C.O.G.I.C. is truly marching on, and yes when you put God first in your life, He will bless you and give you life and life More Abundantly.

After 20 years of pastoring Cross Temple, Elder Moses Cross said the Lord spoke to his heart and told him it was time to step aside and appoint another Shepherd for the Flock. On Sept 10, 2006, Elder James Cross, his younger brother and the 7th son of Bishop & Mrs. Moses Cross, was installed as the new Pastor of Cross Temple Church of God in Christ.

In the short time that Elder James Cross has been the Pastor, the Lord
has added to the Church such that should be added.  Additionally, he is overseeing the refurbishing of the Temple which will be completed before the end of this summer, "To God be the Glory".