Our History

June 1932 being led by God’s spirit, the late Elder R.D. Wilson and his devoted wife, also the late Mother Betty Wilson, started prayer meetings in their home.  As a result of these services Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, was established located at 1059 Burns Ave.  Under his leadership may souls were saved, including the late Mother Josephine Redding who was appointed Church Mother and served diligently and faithfully her role under the leadership of three (3) positions.

 

May 1966, the late Elder Harrison Wiley and his dedicated wife the late Missionary Viola Wiley were appointed to lead the Church onto greater horizons.  The church was blessed naturally and spiritually under the ministry.

 

April 1971, Elder Leroy Sutton was appointed Pastor of Holy Temple by the late Bishop C.E. Bennett. Elder Sutton accepted the challenge to reach higher, nobler plan of living through spiritual influence, counsel and preaching to the unchurched and the unsaved as well.  The late and beloved Sister Helen Sutton, his loyal wife embraced her husband’s undertaking with enthusiastic support and their three children, Eld. Leroy Sutton III, Min. Mark Sutton and Sis Starla Ross working faithfully and diligently for the cause of Kingdom building. The Church increased spiritually, numerically and educationally under the outstanding leadership of this man servant, and his devoted wife. 

 

On January 9, 1994, the Lord called Sister Helen Sutton from labor to reward.  We will continue to remember her many efforts, qualities and the great love she exhibited towards the church.  Sister Sutton’s spirit will remain with us forever. 

 

After receiving a vision from the Lord, our Pastor (Elder Sutton) put into motion to erect a New Sanctuary in January 1972. The church family also became envision. As a result, April 1974 we were blessed to purchase property adequate for our church, as the vision unfolded ground breaking services were held November 1975. Construction began January 1976. Upon completion, we celebrated our grand opening August 1976 marching from Holy Temple eight (8) blocks away singing “We’ve come this far by Faith” to our new church home. Greater Holy Temple. On Sunday September 11, 1977, we celebrated the dedication of our new sanctuary. We witnessed another momentous occasion, our mortgage burning ceremony on Saturday, August 17, 1991.  Seeing that our new membership increased numerically God gave Pastor Sutton another vision. On Sunday, March 21, 1996 we again embarked upon another ground-breaking service for the new addition to our new church. The new addition to our new church. The new addition was completed in June of 1997, the Greater Holy Temple family, was proud to say that we made our last payment for the new addition on November 1, 2000. In 2009 we watched another vision unfold the completion of the Joy Center. Through much fasting, praying, hard work, sacrificial offerings, tithing and generous donations from well-wishers, and many friends the Lord has continued to bless us. We give God all the honor and glory.

 

On February 13, 2014, the Lord called our Pastor, Superintendent Leroy W. Sutton home from labor to reward. 

 

As a result, on Saturday April 16th 2014 Elder Lee D. Ross was installed as the new Pastor.  Elder Lee and Sister Starla Ross are continuing the legacy of reaching the lost and edifying the flock which God has placed in their care. Greater Holy Temple continues to be a growing church for growing people.  We are delighted to say the Lord is blessing and adding souls, healing and baptizing with the Holy Ghost in this place. Because of Christ’s love. “The God before us is not Greater than God’s power behind us.”! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! 

 

Pastor Lee & First Lady Starla Ross

Pastor Lee D. Ross

Pastor Lee D. Ross, the eldest of three, was born to the late Willie Lee Ross and Gwendolyn (Ross) Belanger. Raised in Chicago by his late grandmother, Dorothy Jones, Pastor Ross attended Chicago public schools, where he was elected Junior and Senior Class President at Near North Career Magnet High School (formerly Cooley High).

In 1987, Pastor Ross dedicated his life to the Lord at Greater Holy Temple. He earned an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University of South Bend in 1987 and later graduated as Valedictorian with an Associate’s degree from C.H. Mason Bible College in 1997.

Appointed as Assistant Pastor of Greater Holy Temple in 2003, Pastor Ross served faithfully for 11 years, holding various roles including Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee Board Member, Finance Chairman, Outreach Coordinator, and Local YWCC President. He currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent and Treasurer for the E.A. McNeely.

In 2010, Pastor Ross was selected as the Coordinator of the One by One mentoring program for juvenile delinquents in St. Joseph County. His community service includes mentoring for South Bend Community Schools, Big Brother Big Sisters Org., advising Mothers Against Violence, and serving on the St. Joseph County Health Initiative board.

Pastor Ross retired from the South Bend Police Department in 2015 after 26 years of service. His roles included Lieutenant in the Office of Professional Standards (Internal Affairs), Patrolman, DARE Officer, Midnight Supervisor, Domestic Violence Investigator, Crime Prevention Supervisor, and Assistant P.I.O. He now serves as a School Resource Officer and Head of Security at Career Academy of South Bend and Success Academy.

In April 2014, Pastor Ross was appointed Pastor of Greater Holy Temple by Bishop Mark H. Blade, supported by his loving wife, family, friends, and the Greater Holy Temple church family.

First Lady Starla Ross

First Lady Starla Ross, the youngest of three, was born in South Bend, Indiana, to the late Superintendent Leroy and First Lady Helen (Marable) Sutton. Saved at nine and filled with the Holy Ghost at twelve, Lady Ross faithfully served her parents until their passing. At Greater Holy Temple, she showcased her talents as Youth Director, Church Administrator, After-School Tutoring Coordinator, Children's Choir Director, Street Ministry and Outreach Worker, and more.

In 1996, Lady Ross’s passion for lost souls led her to create Bible study programs at the Children’s Campus and the Juvenile Justice Center. She also served as the E.A. McNeely District Choir Minister of Music for 25 years.

Lady Ross graduated from Indiana University of South Bend with a B.S. in Marketing/Advertising and Marketing Research and attended Ivy Tech for a year studying Graphic Design. She created the church website and designs church programs, flyers, and signs.

Currently employed by the University of Notre Dame Shaw Center for Children and Families, Lady Ross has been a Family Coach for over 20 years, working with high-risk parents and children. She served as an executive board member for the St. Joseph County Minority Health Coalition and mentored for the South Bend Community School Corp. Her awards include Greater Holy Temple Woman of the Year, Choir Member of the Year, E.A. McNeely Member of the Year, and a nomination for the City of South Bend Woman of the Year in 1996.

Pastor and First Lady Ross met at Indiana University of South Bend and married on August 13, 1988. They have four wonderful children—Antonio, Lee Jr., Terrell, and Alana (Christian)—and one grandchild, Josiah. Lady Ross serves as the Women’s Department Leader and First Lady of Greater Holy Temple, living by her motto: "Every day that I am alive is another day for me to serve the Lord."

Together, Pastor and First Lady Ross are committed to the mission of soul maturity and growth, humbly serving the people of God and working towards Kingdom building, inspired by the late Pastor Leroy W. Sutton. They are moving Greater Holy Temple forward with great expectations.