Organized in 1886, the United Holy Church of America may be the oldest black Pentecostal body in the United States, and the oldest African-American Holiness-Pentecostal body in the world.
The Church came about as a result of a Holiness revival in Method, North Carolina, which is now a suburb of Raleigh. It began as a regional association known as the Holy Church of North Carolina, and then the Holy Church of North Carolina and Virginia.
In the early 1900s, the Church added a Pentecostal understanding and, in 1916 it adopted its current name, the United Holy Church of America.
In the following decades, the Church established several districts covering different regions of the United States. The Bermuda District, covering the island of Bermuda, was established in 1921. The Barbados District was created early in the Church's history but the first five churches established on the island later joined with another Pentecostal body. Barbados congregations currently part of the United Holy Church of America were founded in the mid-1900s or later.
The United Holy Church's headquarters are still in North Carolina, it is an international body with congregations in Africa and the Caribbean.
The Church has an episcopal polity. Its hierarchy includes bishops, pastors, and elders, who are ordained ministers, as well as licensed ministers holding the offices of evangelists, reverends, and ministers. The District Board of Presbytery handles applications for ministerial licensing and ordination, although applicants for ordination may appear before the District Board of Elders as well.
The chief officer is the General President. Other officials include two General Presidents, a General Recording Secretary, General Financial Secretary, and a General Treasurer. Each district has its own president, and a Board of Bishops oversees the work of the Church.
The United Holy Church of America was one of the first churches to ordain women as pastors, elders, and bishops.
The Church is organized into districts, sub-districts, and then local churches.
Local church buildings within the United Holy Church of America are to be exclusively used as places of worship, and not used for such activities as fairs, festivals, or other worship programs.
The United Holy Church of America is Trinitarian in its concept of God. They hold that God the Father is the creator of all things. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who was both human and divine in the incarnation. He lived, suffered and died, then rose again from the dead, ascending into heaven. Further, they believe that Jesus was sent by God to mankind so that those who believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
The Holy Spirit was sent by God the Father and the Son. The Spirit convicts and converts sinners, dwells within believers, and keeps believers from the power of sin.
The Church holds that the Bible is the Word of God, given by inspiration through holy men. Through the Bible, God reveals His will to man, and man seeks to respond to God's revelation.
The United Holy Church of America believes that all believers are united into one both, known as the Church. Christ will return one day for his holy Church. They also believe that no one will see the Lord if they are without holiness in Spirit, soul, and body.
The Church encourages entire sanctification and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but does not require speaking in tongues as a sign. The Church believes in divine healing.
True conversion is a prerequisite for full membership in the Church. Ordinances of the Church include baptism in water, the Lord's Supper, and foot washing.
The focus of this category is on the United Holy Church of America. Websites representing the denomination, its districts, sub-districts, departments, and associations, as well as affiliated organizations, publishing houses, and corporations. Those representing local churches should be submitted to the appropriate Local & Global category, in most cases.
Recommended Resources
Gospel Tabernacle United Holy Church
Located in Burlington, North Carolina, the Gospel Tabernacle United Holy Church began in 1938, originally meeting in a ten, then building a small wooden church. A history of the church is set forth, and an introduction to its pastor and first lady is included, along with an overview of its ministries and projects, a calendar of events, schedule of training programs and workshops, and a gallery of photographs.
http://www.gospeltabernacleuhc.org/
In 1925, some members of Galilee Holiness Church left that church and began a Bible study that grew into Jerusalem Holy Temple, which adopted its current name after affiliating with the United Holy Church of America in 1936. Its history, location, service schedules, and a calendar of programs and events are published to the site. Other resources include a biography of the pastor, administrative contacts, and photographs.
http://www.jerusalemuhc.org/
The UHCA is a predominantly black Pentecostal-Holiness denomination headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, and operative in the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean. The official denominational website relates the Christian body’s history, mission, and an affirmation of faith, as well as video from past and current presidents, administrative staff, auxiliaries, a calendar of events, and other resources.
http://www.uhcainc.org/
Affiliated with the United Holy Church of America, the UHC in Bermuda has its origins in cottage meetings arranged by two natives of Bermuda who had been converted, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A history of the work in Bermuda is told, along with a list of member congregations and ministries, leadership and administrative personnel, and an overview of its mission, and goals.
http://www.uhc.bm/
Virginia District of the United Holy Church of America
Representing member churches and programs of the denomination within the State of Virginia, the district site offers a directory of member churches, administrative contacts, an affirmation of faith, and other resources, including a program schedule for the upcoming Virginia District Convocation, also known as VACON. Included are daily schedules of services, workshops, and other sessions. Announcements are also posted to the site.
https://vaconuhc.org/
