George Alton Williams

Bishop George A. Williams, son of the late George L. Williams, and the late Martha Andrews Williams, was born on December 26, 1927 in Irwin County, Georgia. Holiness was first introduced to him through the dedicated Christian life of his wife, Myrtice. At the age of twenty-three, he was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost under the late Elder J.W. Graham.

In December 1953, Bishop Williams came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He preached his first sermon in 1954 under the late Bishop Bruce Madison Oakley; and was ordained to the Gospel Ministry in September 1958 by the late Bishop Ozro Thurston Jones, Sr. of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Church of God in Christ.

By permission, on November 26, 1957, Bishop Williams founded the Rehoboth Church of God in Christ in the home of his brother Reverend Aaron Williams. The first service was held on a Sunday morning in the living room, where a small group of people met and Bishop Williams stood at one end of the room with his back to the dining room, while he delivered his first pastoral message. After preaching a stirring message, he then gave the invitation for reception of members; and nine people joined. Less than one week later, Bishop Williams and his wife, Myrtice, used their meager family savings and invested it in the ministry. He rented the first floor of a three-story apartment house located at 3107 N. 15th Street. With his wife and brother working by his side, he led this small group into that little place commonly known as a storefront church. The members witnessed two glorious years of growth and spirit filled services there. It was during this time that Bishop Williams began to teach his people the concept of thinking big in relation to serving an Almighty God, who is able to give you the desires of your heart; where the Bible says, "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." Many people were blessed both spiritually and naturally.

By the end of the second year, the Lord blessed Bishop Williams and the congregation to purchase a beautiful edifice located at Franklin and Dauphin Streets in Philadelphia. They marched in on January 1, 1960. Bishop Williams continued to preach the Gospel by precept and example and the church grew by leaps and bounds. Many souls have been saved; both youth and adults, and a great number have testified of miraculous healing of the body through his prayers. The church soon outgrew the facilities at that location. However, Bishop Williams, the Deacons and Trustees worked hard to improve and provide for the congregation there, until they concluded that the best thing for them to do was to consider relocating.

Through the providence of God, the leadership of Bishop Williams, the dedicated Board of Deacons and Trustees, and loyal membership, in 1971 they were able to relocate to 1210 West Wyoming Avenue where they are presently located. Since being at this location, by the divine will of God, Bishop Williams was appointed to the office of Bishop in 1985 by the late Presiding Bishop J.O. Patterson, Sr. and the General Board of the Church of God in Christ in Memphis Tennessee. Bishop Williams is now prelate of the Keystone Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania Church of God in Christ. In 1987 an additional 50 x 70 feet was added to the existing building. On Sunday, July 10, 1988, our former presiding Bishop Chandler D. Owens dedicated the new facilities to the Lord. In July 2003, an additional 7 X 35 feet was added at the church to provide a three-story elevator with indoor-outdoor ramp access to assist the senior saints and handicap to have greater access to the entire church facilities, along with a new stairwell.

Bishop George A. Williams remains happily married to the former, very lovely, Myrtice L. Harris of Irwin County, Georgia. They are the proud parents of six children: Evangelist Jacqueline Williams Clay, Kenneth Leon, Anthony Vernon, Elder Marvin Williams, Zonder DeVon, and Princeciner Renee' Williams Weekes.