In 1920 Bishop Charles Harrison Mason came to Georgia to organize the Church of God In Christ in Florida and Georgia. An organizational meeting was held in Valdosta, Georgia at Dr. Stafford’s church. Among those attending from Florida were Elder Cohen, Elder Smith, Elder Nesbitt and one woman, Mother Susie Clark Johnson.

Mother Clark-Johnson at the time was pastoring a Church of God congregation in Tampa. After about three days of praying and listening to Bishop Mason expound upon the scriptures, Mother Clark-Johnson was persuaded that the Church Of God In Christ was indeed given to Bishop Mason from God. Mother Clark-Johnson returned to Tampa and convinced her Green Street congregation to become a part of the Church Of God In Christ. Through fasting and praying, the Lord blessed the church and many souls were added. Since the Church Of God In Christ believed in Paul’s teachings in I Timothy, 3rd chapter, Elder Harris from St. Petersburg, Florida was sent to work with Mother Johnson. Elder Harris died shortly after he was sent to Tampa.

Mother Johnson continued to keep the congregation together with the help of Overseer Curtis. In 1922, Bishop Curtis appointed Elder J. J. Flowers to pastor the Green Street Church. Eventually the membership was too large for the Green Street location and the church was relocated to Blanche Street. God continued to add souls and blessed the church financially.

Around 1925, Elder Flowers and congregation purchased property on the corner of 26th Avenue and 25th Street. The first and second church built on 26th Avenue and 25th Street was wooden structures and burned. The third church was constructed of stone. This church eventually was named College Hill Church of God In Christ. This building existed until 1976.

Elder Flowers pastored the church from his appointment in 1922 until the Lord called him home in July 1964. In October 1964, Bishop W. R. Nesbitt appointed Elder W. E. Davis to pastor College Hill Church of God In Christ. Elder Flowers was a man that loved God and His people.

Bishop Davis was a man with a vision to one day build a multi-purpose church. In 1976, God allowed this vision to become a reality. On Sunday, December 26, 1976, Bishop W. E. Davis and congregation moved into a new edifice on the corner of 30th and Diana Streets. In October 1997, Bishop W. E. Davis was called home to be with the Lord.

Bishop Davis had a heart for people and that is what his ministry was about. He always found a way to energize people. In November, 1997, Bishop Chandler Owens appointed Elder Charles Davis, the son of Bishop W. E. Davis to be the pastor of College Hill.

Elder Davis was a man like his father; one with a vision; charismatic, dedicated and full of Godly love for people. He continued to lead the church through various ministries and outreach programs such as The Family Enrichment Center, a faith-based program that provided services to the community through foster care adoption and kinship care services, COGIC Day Care, Street Witnessing, and the Food and Clothes Pantry.

In 1992, Elder Davis founded The Family Enrichment Center as an outreach ministry of the College Hill Church of God in Christ. It was the first Black owned Child Placement Agency in the Southeastern part of the United States. The Family Enrichment Center currently has more than 20 employees with three programs, Kinship Care, Motivated Minds and Autism Is Real. Elder Davis had a genuine love for people and wanted to make sure that our most vulnerable population was able to survive.

Elder Davis life reflected God’s love and he had a heart of compassion. He was a godly man, a role model for others and served as positive influence for his church and community. Elder Davis was a man of faith, integrity and committed to serving others. He has left a lasting legacy.

Elder Davis went home to be with the Lord on September 27, 2024. Bishop Anthony Gilyard appointed Elder Donald Jorden, Sr. as Pastor Designate on November 25, 2024.

College Hill COGIC has come this far by faith and with God’s continued guidance we will continue to be a bright beacon sharing and showing God’s love throughout the Tampa Bay community.