Charles H. Mason

Charles H. Mason was a pivotal figure in the establishment of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. (COGIC). This predominantly African American Pentecostal church originated in the United States from the Holiness movement and is the largest Pentecostal denomination in the U.S..1

Mason, a dynamic preacher, led Holiness churches in Mississippi and Tennessee during the late 19th century. After experiencing baptism in the Holy Spirit in Los Angeles, he returned to his congregation advocating for a charismatic religious experience. This led to the formal establishment of the Church of God in Christ as a Pentecostal denomination around 1907, with Mason elected as its general overseer. He led the denomination for decades, later delegating authority to assistant bishops and state overseers. As of the early 21st century, COGIC reported over 6.5 million members globally.1