Our History

In 1954, Casa Grande Church of God in Christ, now named Greater Evangelist Temple, Church of God in Christ began in the living room of the home Mother Lizzie Gilder along with Missionary Mattie Pate and Mother Addie Hankins. (Note: Mother Addie Hankins was the mother of the late Supervisor Isabel Gipson.)

Elder Arthur Dosty was appointed as Pastor, he renamed the church to First Church of God in Christ. He continued to have church in the living room of Mother Gilder's home, and the front porch was the overflow room. The church began to grow and they needed a larger place, the church then moved to a tin building located on the corner of East Second Street and Amarillo in Casa Grande. 

Elder Dosty conducted a six-week revival and 28 members were added to the church, Evangelist Missionary Mother Betty J. Williams Edwards was one of the members who were saved on that day. The neighborhood thought the church was too rowdy, and people began to complain and even called the police. The Saints prayed and the police asked that the church either shut down or close by 10 PM. 

As the congregation grew, the church moved into a building behind New Hope Baptist Church in Casa Grande. We were only there for a short time, as Pastor Dosty bought the current property, two lots for $300 and a barrack for $600 at 640 West Ocotillo Street.

In 1958 Elder Dosty moved to California, and Elder Robert Neely became Pastor. He changed the name from First Church of God in Christ to New Hope Church of God in Christ, He pastored the church from 1958 until he passed away in October of 1967.

Bishop JW Taylor sent EJ Taylor to take care of the church until he appointed a Pastor for the church. Minister Clarence and Sister Betty Edwards, Deacon and Sister Deloney, Mother Mattie Pate went to see Bishop JW Taylor and requested for Elder Luther McFadden be appointed Pastor, Bishop Taylor granted the request and appointed him as Pastor on January 14, 1968, and he changed the name to Evangelist Temple, Church of God in Christ. In June of 1969 Elder McFadden Pastorage was relinquished.

On August 7, 1969, a tornado demolished the church. Bishop EJ Taylor pastored the church from 1969 until January 11, 1970, and he appointed Elder Clarence Edwards as pastor at the age of 32. Pastor Edwards and Deacon Conrad Deloney worked out a proposal with a carpenter and presented it to the Small Business Administration and they accepted it. Pastor Edwards and 12 members moved into the new church Easter of 1973. The dedication service was on July 15, 1973, and the theme was "we come this far by faith". 

Between the years of 2001 and 2002, Superintendent Clarence Edwards renamed the church to Greater Evangelist Temple Church of God in Christ.  He served, loved, and guided within the Casa Grande community for 46 faithful years. January 30, 2016, Superintendent Edwards retired as Pastor on January 30, 2016, and appointed his third oldest son, Elder Anthony Q. Edwards.

Elder Anthony Q. Edwards was officially installed as Senior Pastor on January 31, 2016. Under Pastor Anthony Q. Edward's leadership Greater Evangelist Temple is excited about his vision to do God's work with new energy, furthering our reach into the community.