The life of the late Bishop Samuel Martin Crouch, Sr., will be celebrated on Sunday, August 14, at 3:30 p.m., at Emmanuel Church of God in Christ, 1399 E. 33rd Street in Los Angeles.
According to Supt. Wilbert Jones, Jr., host pastor, the date marks the 40th anniversary of Crouch’s passing on August 14, 1976.
“Bishop Crouch blazed trails throughout the Church of God in Christ and beyond, serving as Overseer in California, bishop of Southern California, pastor of the Emmanuel COGIC, president of the Home and Foreign Mission, COGIC first assistant presiding bishop and member of the Board of Directors of the World Pentecostal Conference. He was a great man of God, respected and admired worldwide, and the uncle of nine-time Grammy award-winning gospel artist, Andraé Crouch,” said Supt. Jones.
Crouch transformed his congregation to “personal workers” and dispatched them to hospitals, convalescent homes, prisons, skid row and street corners throughout Los Angeles to minister. A “master administrator,” Crouch designed an organizational construct of Regions and Districts, Departments and Auxiliaries among the fledgling churches in the state of California.
Also, he founded a Bible School on the Emmanuel Campus as well as purchased and transformed the Lincoln Theatre on Central Avenue into Crouch Temple, the site of major convocations and conventions. With a heart for worldwide missions, he travelled the world and commissioned missionaries as well.
Crouch influenced many existing leaders of the denomination. As pastor, he dedicated Dr. Barbara McCoo as an infant. She now serves as international assistant general supervisor and Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women of Southern California First. Bishop Joe L. Ealy, who read the scripture at the S.M. Crouch Memorial at Crouch State Temple, is the current Jurisdictional Prelate of Southern California First. Crouch assigned Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., to West Angeles COGIC nearly 50 years ago.
“The ministry of Bishop S.M. Crouch impacted the lives of many. We extend a warm welcome to all who desire to join us as we remember and celebrate his life, or would like to learn more about this beloved leader,” said Supt. Jones.
To learn more, call Sheila Bankhead Grisham at (323) 293-7737 or (310) 628-0929.
