In the autumn of 1907 in Memphis, Tennessee, the late Bishop Charles H. Mason called a group meeting of all ministers that believed in the religious experience of receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, with signs following. These ministers, or brethren as they were called at the time, formed the First General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ; a name given to Elder Charles H. Mason through a divine revelation from God. Elder Mason was then chosen as Chief Apostle and he continued in this capacity until his death at the age of 100.

Two years later, in 1909, as revealed by information gathered from documents and other eye witnesses, Mrs. Lucy Barnes invited a group of women to participate in a special prayer meeting at the Baptist Tabernacle Church. Those invited included women in the community along with Mrs. Jessie Crowder, Mrs. Stanton, and Mrs. Laura Thomas. These devoted women continued their evening meetings, going from house to house and experiencing the move of God and His saving mercy until their services found a permanent meeting place at the home of Sister Greer. They remained in Sister Greer's home, which was located on Welch Street, until 1915 when they built a church at 910 Sims Street in the Pittsburg Community of Atlanta, Georgia. Chief Apostle, Elder C. H. Mason, now a Bishop, discovered these devoted Saints on a trip to Atlanta and incorporated them into the Church of God in Christ. They were now the Pittsburg Temple Church of God in Christ.

James J. Hinsley first came to Atlanta in his early teens from the city of Macon, Georgia, where he was born and raised. In Atlanta he met a young lady named Lydia Powell who had moved to Atlanta after the passing of her parents. Although born and raised in Griffin, Georgia, Lydia, being the eldest of six brothers and sisters, and knowing her family had a better chance in Atlanta, relocated her siblings to Atlanta where worked unerringly to support them. Later, Lydia Powell became the wife of young Elder James J. Hinsley.

As a young minister, Elder Hinsley eventually moved his wife and three children to Cleveland, Ohio, only to have his ministry carry him to Jacksonville, Florida, where he was then appointed Bishop over a Jurisdiction.

After serving eight years in Florida, Bishop Hinsley returned to Atlanta to pastor Sims Street Church and was eventually appointed Bishop over the Central Georgia Jurisdiction by Bishop C. H. Mason. Through his preaching and evengelical work, Bishop Hinsley was able to expand the Central Georgia Jurisdiction to include several other churches. Good works abounded and under the supervision of Bishop Hinsley a $90,000 edifice was built in 1953 at 440 Gardner Street, Atlanta, Georgia. The Pittsburg Temple Church of God in Christ was moved into this building and Senior Bishop C. H. Mason changed the name to Hinsley Temple Church of God in Christ in honor of its builder.

The Central Georgia Jurisdiction continued to progress and churches were added under the leadership of Bishop Hinsley until his passing in 1963. At that time the office of Bishop was bestowed on Elder John Dale Husband, who continued a progressive program of spiritual growth and development. Under the leadership of the late Bishop Husband, many, many great leaders materialized. These late leaders, Supt. Odell Barnwell, Supt. H. T. Benton, Bishop John Cooper, Supt. Luther R. Hinsley, and Supt. Simon Shuman were great men of God that emerged under the auspices of Bishop Husband's dynamic leadership. And Central Georgia grew...

Lest we forget, many of our great pioneers of Central Georgia have gone to their reward but they have not been forgotten. To them we owe a debt of gratitude. They left a legacy of which more is yet to come. They were committed to God's work. These great pioneers were inspired and divinely empowered by the Holy Ghost as they persevered in the vineyard to bring forth God's divine plan for the Central Georgia Jurisdiction. As the Holy Spirit led , even they though they could not comprehend or perceive with the naked eye the divine plan of God, they moved forward strategically in battle doing the works of the Lord. Yet, from the hearts of these great pioneers you could hear an audible sound of "Yes Lord" and they would continue to say "Yes Lord", fulfilling their part of God's destiny for the Saints, understanding that it was "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).

In 1992, while serving as a General Board member, Bishop Chandler D. Owens was assigned by Bishop Louis Henry Ford to the local area to oversee insular matters as well as those pertaining to the Central Georgia Jurisdiction. Later, he was appointed Jurisdictional Prelate over Central Georgia. Bishop Owens has continued to build on that same foundation of those who labored diligently before his appointment.

Through the mighty hands of God, Bishop Owens was able to move the jurisdiction forward. He was instrumental in maintaining consistency through financial stability and spiritual continuity in the local church. These actions included the use of his personal funds. Under Bishop Owens leadership this Jurisdiction has progressed to new levels of spiritual growth. And yet there are even greater works to come.