Our Founder

It is no accident that our church bears the namesake of its first Pastor, Elder Emmanuel Wilson. It is evident that God was with Eld. "Emmanuel" Wilson as he inaugurated the Great Legacy of the Emmanuel Church of God in Christ. He was born July 28, 1886, in Jacksonville Texas to Henderson and Vina Wilson. He was the seventh child in a family of thirteen where his father was a Baptist Minister. He was raised in the city of Bullard, Texas. In 1906 he married Mary Forrest. A daughter was born, Venora Wilson Mayo.

In 1911, Eld. Wilson was called to the ministry while still in the Baptist Church. His wife, Mary, visited a holiness church on several occasions. This was contrary to Wilson's wishes. He once said, "I was as much of an enemy against the church as Paul was, but God showed me I was wrong." After additional visits to the holiness church, Mrs. Wilson was saved. Submitting to the power of the Spirit, Elder Wilson was filled with the Holy Ghost.  In 1912, he was accepted into the Church of God in Christ. In about 1915, he was ordained in Waco, Texas, and pastored a church for over 10 years.

In 1925, Eld. Wilson moved to California and was appointed the Second Overseer of the State of California (following Elder E.R. Driver). He also assumed the pastorate of a church that was to become a legend in its own, Emmanuel Church of God in Christ. Like the children of Israel following Moses, "Emmanuel's" early worship services were held in tents at 29th and Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA. A well to do benefactor, Emma Galbraith contributed a large sum of money towards the purchase of the property at 33rd. (She would later be the "Voice of Hospitality"). One of Emmanuel's first members, Sis Willie Belle Lewis, recounts the precious memory of entering the newly built edifice on a crisp Sunday morning in 1926. As the front of the church then faced 33rd Street, Emmanuel was commonly referred to as "Greater 33rd."

As the country endured the ravages of the Depression, so mightily grew the word of God at Emmanuel! Additional churches were erected in the city of Los Angeles, by Wilson. Deacon Robert Clark was the first head Deacon of Emmanuel and Mother Fannie Jackson was its first church mother. A legacy was launched which would not only change Los Angeles but would touch the entire world. Down through the years, thousands have found their spiritual Genesis and Holy Ghost promised land here, where God promised to reside, Emmanuel Church of God in Christ.