Humble Beginnings

 

In the early part of the 20th century, Elder James A. Jackson came to San Diego. Elder Jackson mission was to establish the first Church of God in Christ in the city. He joined with an existing band of faithful believers already worshiping here in San Diego. The humble beginning of this vision was lauched in the upstairs room of a two-story framed building. There Elder Jackson held prayer meetings ans services, and many souls were saved. We remain thankful to Mr. Alexander who willingly gave his financial support for the first site, located on the 16th street between K and J Street.

 

Concurrently, Elder Jackson began a street ministry and the Blessings of the Lord continued to fall. The believers increased and the need for a larger facility was met by the Lord leading Jackson to 1705 Logan Avenue. A tent was erectged at the Logan Avenue property under the leadership of Elder Jackson. Services continued to be held in the tent until the church building was erected. The church edifice was completed early in 1926, and remains there to this day. The dedication of the Logan site church was officiated by the late Bishop C.H. Mason and overseer E.M. Wilson. In the later part of 1926, Elder Jackson felt led of God to go to another city to erect a church. After Elder Jackson left, the following ministers pastured Jackson Memorial: Elder W.G. Laws, S.M. Crouch, W.O. Mays, G. Lee, P. Gipson, C.T. James, H.C. Colton, J. Tilly and E.M. Wilson. In the year 1935, Bishop S.M. Crouch, the presiding Bishop of California, was led by the Lord to have Elder Jackson return to San Diego and to this church, were he labored faithfully until the Lord called him to rest. After passing, Elder V.D. Rhodes and Elder P.L. Locket served as Pastors.

 

In September 1947, one year after the death of Elder James A. Jackson, Elder J.A. Blake, Sr., was appointed Pastor by the presiding Bishop S.M. Crouch. Under the leadership of Elder J.A. Blake the faithful remnant joined forces and the church continued to grow, and soon outgrew the edifice at 1705 Logan Avenue. Later a tract of land was purchased at 38th and Oceanview, using God filled vision for a blueprint, the church rapidly expanded. The following years proved nothing less than miraculous. Ground was broken for the Oceanview site in January of 1955 with construction beginning in 1956. Work continued through 1956 with completion in 1957, as God continued to unfold the vision of Pastor J.A. Blake, Sr., souls were saved, lives changed, and there was an overall growth in the church. One manifestation of this tremendous progress and growth was the mortage burning ceremony on September 27, 1964 less than 10 years after the groundbreaking.

 

Throughout his tenure, Bishop J.A. Blake, Sr. served in many roles, his service included, but wasn't limited to the following: District Superintendent of San Diego Area-1948, Chairman of the Elders Council-1961, Ordained Bishop of COGIC-1961, Assistant Bishop of Southern CA Jurisdiction, Intern Bishop of Kansas, Oregon, Utah and Arkansas Jurisdiction, appointed Presiding Bishop of Southern CA. Jurisdiction #1-1976. Many ministries and churches have grown out of Jackson Memorial, this very fact stands as a living monument to the great work of Bishop J.A. Blake, Sr. In his service to the people as a spiritual father, and the Lord greatly used him to produce many offsprings from the mother church of the Kingdom of God.

 

In 1984, Bishop J.A. Blake, Sr., was called home, this was a great lose and a very painful period for the Jackson Memorial family. In that same year Elder J.A. Blake, Jr., also a visionary, picked up the reins for spiritual commitment to excellence. Under his leadership, Jackson Memorial has continued to prosper as a testimony to the work of Christ in San Diego, California.

History in the Making

 

The now presiding Pastor Bishop J.A. Blake, Jr., stands strong with a united band of baptized believers ushering in the new millennium. During this period a fresh anointing has blossomed and the Greater Jackson Memorial COGIC has been transformed into the Fountain of Life COGIC. "For with thee is the Fountain of LIfe; in thy light we see light.: Psalm 36:9. This visionary change the seed that was planted long ago in the spirit of the late Bishop J.A. Blake, Sr. God by His grace has brought the vision of fruition under the leadership of Pastor Bishop J.A. Blake, Jr.

 

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!