The Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) is a classical Pentecostal denomination that traces its origins to an 1886 revival in the Appalachian mountains of eastern Tennessee. Grounded in Wesleyan-Holiness theology, the denomination affirms salvation through Christ, entire sanctification, divine healing, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues.
Appalachian origins: The 1886 Christian Union
Unlike many modern Pentecostal denominations that formed in the wake of the 1906 Azusa Street Revival, the Church of God traces its historic lineage twenty years earlier to the rural Appalachian foothills. On August 19, 1886, a small band of eight believers met at the Barney Creek meeting house in Monroe County, Tennessee, near the North Carolina border.
Led by Richard Green Spurling, a licensed Missionary Baptist minister, and his father John Parris, the group was disillusioned by rigid denominationalism and legalistic Baptist associations that they felt quenched spiritual life. They formed a fellowship called the "Christian Union," committing themselves to take the New Testament as their sole rule of faith, pursue Christian holiness, and welcome all believers regardless of denominational background.
For more than a decade, the small union grew quietly through regional prayer meetings and mountain revivals. In 1896, a powerful revival broke out at the Shearer Schoolhouse in Cherokee County, North Carolina, where attendees experienced dramatic spiritual outpourings, including speaking in unknown tongues—an occurrence that predated the formal birth of twentieth-century Pentecostalism, as documented in our history of Pentecostalism. In 1902, Spurling reorganized the movement at Camp Creek, North Carolina, as the "Holiness Church."
A. J. Tomlinson and the 1923 schism
The trajectory of the fledgling church shifted dramatically in 1903 with the arrival of Ambrose Jessup Tomlinson. An energetic colporteur and missionary from Indiana representing the American Bible Society, Tomlinson joined the congregation at Camp Creek and quickly emerged as its primary organizational leader.
In 1906, the fellowship convened its first General Assembly, and in 1907, the delegates officially adopted the biblical name "Church of God." In 1909, Tomlinson was selected as General Overseer, a position he held for more than a decade. Under his leadership, the Church of God relocated its administrative headquarters to Cleveland, Tennessee, established a publishing house, launched missionary ventures, and enthusiastically integrated classical Pentecostal doctrine after Tomlinson investigated Azusa Street reports, aligning with the core convictions outlined in Pentecostal beliefs.
However, Tomlinson's increasing centralization of authority sparked sharp resistance. In 1923, financial disagreements and constitutional disputes over the scope of the General Overseer's powers led the General Assembly to impeach and remove Tomlinson from office. Tomlinson and his loyal followers departed to form a rival body that later took the name the Church of God of Prophecy. The original body remained legally headquartered in Cleveland, Tennessee, retaining the historic name Church of God, while modifying its constitution to prevent any single leader from exercising autocratic control.
Core Church of God beliefs and sacraments
The doctrinal standard of the denomination is codified in its Declaration of Faith, adopted by the General Assembly in 1948. Rooted in Wesleyan-Holiness theology, core Church of God beliefs teach a three-stage progression of salvation, sharing historical theological kinship with the Church of God in Christ:
- Justification by Faith: Complete forgiveness of sins and spiritual regeneration received through genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
- Entire Sanctification: A second, distinct work of divine grace following conversion, wherein the Holy Spirit cleanses the believer's heart from inborn sin and empowers daily holiness of life.
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit: A subsequent enduement of spiritual power for ministry and witness, with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
The Church of God strongly confesses divine healing for the physical body provided through Christ's atonement, encouraging elders to anoint the sick with oil in prayer. The denomination also anticipates the literal, premillennial return of Jesus Christ to catch away His saints before the tribulation and return with them to reign on earth. The denomination recognizes three religious ordinances: water baptism by full immersion, the Lord's Supper, and feet washing. Following Christ's command in John 13, members wash one another's feet during communion services as an act of Christian humility and servant fellowship.
Historically, Church of God doctrine was accompanied by practical commitments to Christian lifestyle and separation from worldly indulgences. The denomination encourages members to practice total abstinence from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and recreational drugs, while directing their financial resources toward church tithing, community relief, and international missionary evangelism.
Untangling the many "Churches of God"
Because "Church of God" is a common biblical phrase (1 Corinthians 1:2), dozens of completely distinct Christian denominations share this name. Churchgoers frequently confuse these separate bodies, which differ substantially in theology, history, and worship practices:
| Denomination Name | Headquarters | Tradition | Key Distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) | Cleveland, TN | Classical Pentecostal | Appalachian 1886 roots, Spirit baptism with tongues, feet washing. |
| Church of God in Christ (COGIC) | Memphis, TN | African American Pentecostal | Founded in 1897 by C. H. Mason, largest US Pentecostal body, gospel music heritage. |
| Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) | Anderson, IN | Wesleyan-Holiness (Non-Pentecostal) | Restorationist holiness, completely non-Pentecostal, rejects tongues as initial evidence. |
| Church of God of Prophecy | Cleveland, TN | Classical Pentecostal | 1923 schism under A. J. Tomlinson, also headquartered in Cleveland, Tennessee. |
| Churches of God, General Conference | Findlay, OH | Reformed / Pietist | Founded in 1825 by John Winebrenner, non-charismatic, practices believer's baptism. |
The most crucial distinction for visitors to understand is between the Cleveland, Tennessee body and the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana). While both emerged from the Holiness movement, Anderson completely rejects Pentecostal theology and does not practice speaking in tongues, whereas Cleveland is an ardently classical Pentecostal denomination. When driving past a local church building, visitors can identify a Cleveland-affiliated congregation by looking for the denomination's official logo—a stylized cross and flame emblem—displayed on church monument signs.
Denominational governance, Lee University, and global missions
Unlike the congregational autonomy practiced by the Assemblies of God, the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) operates on a centralized presbyterial and episcopal polity. The international church is led by an elected General Overseer and an Executive Committee, while the International General Assembly serves as the supreme governing council.
Locally, churches are supervised by state and regional overseers who hold significant authority over pastoral appointments and property deeds. This centralized structure enables the denomination to coordinate church planting and international missions effectively.
Cleveland, Tennessee, remains the undisputed intellectual and spiritual hub of the communion. The city houses Lee University, a comprehensive private Christian university enrolling roughly 5,000 students, as well as the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Across the globe, Church of God World Missions supports ministries in over 180 countries, reporting more than 7 million members worldwide. The fellowship's explosive international growth and participation in the twentieth-century Charismatic movement have transformed an Appalachian mountain revival into a truly global communion, with substantial domestic strength documented in our survey of Pentecostal churches by state.
What to expect when visiting a Church of God service
Visitors attending a local Church of God congregation will experience an atmosphere of joyful, expressive worship. Services blend southern gospel traditions and contemporary praise music, accompanied by guitars, keyboards, and drums.
Congregants participate openly with raised hands, verbal affirmations, and shared corporate prayer at the altar. Pastors preach impassioned, scripture-centered sermons focused on salvation, holy living, and spiritual encouragement. To find a congregation near you, search our comprehensive directory of Pentecostal churches, and read our helpful guide to what to expect at a Pentecostal church to prepare for your visit.