About Us

Church History and COGIC

The gifted traveling evangelist and formidable pastor-preacher, W.C. Childs of Atlanta, GA, founded Glorious Temple Church of God in Christ some sixty years ago. Small in size but large in reach, Glorious Temple has always been located in noted sections of Brooklyn, the most populous borough of New York City. Originally located on Coney Island during the time that the controversial and influential developer Fred Trump caused the displacement of hundreds of mostly Black families from this neighborhood, the church's second home was Bedford-Stuyvesant. While in Bed-Stuy (pronounced sty), as this historically prominent center of African American culture is known, Glorious Temple served as an oasis of love, service and hope. From the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn Glorious Temple moved to Crown Heights roughly six years ago where it is currently located.

Following the brief leadership of Elder WC Childs—he was known for starting a church and then moving on to start another—Elder Willie James became the second Pastor. A very kind and caring man, he served as pastor for some 42 years. Seeing great potential in one of his devoted members, Edmon Darrisaw, he helped the young Darrisaw to become an ordained Elder in the Church of God in Christ and a Registered New York State Clergyman. Elder Darrisaw became Assistant Pastor in the 1970s and has served as the Senior Pastor since 2005. 

Glorious Temple is a member of The Church of God in Christ (COGIC), the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States. With over 8 million adherents in over 100 countries, COGIC membership is primarily African American, making it the largest African American Pentecostal church in the United States. Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, the son of former enslaved persons, founded COGIC in 1897. The Headquarters of this Holiness-Pentecostal church are in Memphis, TN. https://www.cogic.org/

Ministerial Staff

Pastor Edmon Darrisaw, Senior Pastor
Elder Michael Anderson, Associate Pastor
Elder Eric Darrisaw, Associate Pastor

Pastor Edmon Darrisaw

Pastor Edmon Darrisaw is a man of great integrity who is loved, admired and respected by many. Although he is fond of saying that he is just "an ole country boy," there is nothing parochial or limited about him. He is among the remarkable group of African American men who have overcome the brutality and inequity of the South (of the United States) while remaining strong in spirit and resolute in mind. Known to be a "man of God," Pastor Darrisaw is one who leads by example.

A midwife delivered Pastor Darrisaw on a farm in Johnson County, GA. One of ten, he and his siblings were no strangers to hard work as their father, Julius Darrisaw, was a sharecropper. This meant that the young Edmon Darrisaw helped his father to prep the land in January, plant seeds at the end of February/beginning of March, and pick cotton from June-October/November. Of course, picking cotton was highly labor intensive, back breaking work. Although working on the farm interrupted his schooling, the young Pastor Darrisaw attended school when he could. A naturally insightful person, he also had an inherent gift for getting along with others. At 17 years old he joined the Army, where he served on active duty for six (6) years as a paratrooper. He worked at bases in SC, MO and KY. He and his wife moved to NY in 1959 where he proceeded to work in the construction industry.

Pastor Darrisaw was influenced very early on by his God-fearing mother, Mamie Darrisaw. Known as a preacher who can "preach the paint offwalls," Pastor Darrisaw has the uncommon ability to connect with and touch others as if he has known them all his life. A life-long learner, deep thinker, and dedicated family man, Pastor Darrisaw is also known for his sense of humor, engaging smile, and sensitivity to the challenges of others.

Lady Evelyn Darrisaw

Lady Evelyn Darrisaw also hails from GA. Her small hometown of Roberta was the home to a flourishing, African-American professional community before it was set upon by white supremacists. Lady Darrisaw lived a reasonably comfortable life even as the scourge of racism was all around her. The KKK regularly marched past her home, but she and her family were never harmed due to connections that her grandfather had. She learned the value of hard work and what we today call "grit" from her indomitable mother who was as kind as she was tough. 

Lady Darrisaw met her future husband in her hometown and they became newlyweds in New York City. She had a highly distinguished career, spanning 35 years, as a paraprofessional for the New York City Public Schools. Always an active church member, she served on the Hospitality, Fundraising, and Outreach Committees. She continues to be a source of support and inspiration to others.