On July 23, 1961, Elder Bert Edmond Phillips established the St. Mary Church of God in Christ at 3204 McKinley Avenue in the historic Worth Hill community of Fort Worth, Texas. Serving faithfully beside Pastor Phillips was his spirit-filled wife, Lena Mae. Elder Phillips was a strict pastor and he powerfully taught the Word of God. He didn’t leave a stone unturned.
Under the leadership of Pastor Phillips, the church body grew spiritually and improvements were also made to the church facility. For a long time, members would have to park their cars in the mud. The Lord blessed and the church was able to cover the parking lot with asphalt. The lot on the side of the church was purchased for future expansion. The members also desired to have a fellowship hall. Because funds were limited, Bro. Hoppie Alexander, Bro. William Brown and other brothers of the church came together and built a fellowship hall.
Pastor Phillips served as the leader of St. Mary for 38 years. On March 13, 1994, the Lord called him home. In June of 1994, Bishop J. Neaul Haynes appointed Elder Anthony Ray Collins as pastor of St. Mary. Elder Collins, along with his wife Sheanette, his children, his mother and his mother-in-law, joined our church family. Elder Collins was an excellent and effective teacher of the word of God. On March 7, 1999, Elder Collins resigned and began a ministry in another location. At the time of Elder Collins’ resignation, Bishop Haynes appointed Elder Jimmy W. Glenn, Sr. as the new pastor. Elder Glenn, along with his wife Sylvia and their children, became a part of our church family. Elder Glenn was an anointed teacher, singer and preacher who taught the word of God. On February 6, 2000, Elder Glenn resigned to assume the pastorate of another church.
At the time of Elder Glenn’s resignation, Elder Timothy Johnson was appointed as the new pastor. Elder Johnson continues to teach and preach under the anointing of the Holy Ghost. St. Mary is still being blessed spiritually. Many have come and gone over the years, but we can say with assurance that the Lord has always been by our side. We have come this far by faith, and under the leadership of Pastor Johnson, we continue to look to the Lord for outpourings of His abundant blessings from this day forward.