The United Holy Church of America, Inc. (UHCA) is the oldest African-American Holiness-Pentecostal body in the world. It was established in 1886. It is a predominantly black Holiness Pentecostal Christian denomination, and the International Headquarters is located at 5104 Dunstan Road in Greensboro, North Carolina. The UHCA consists of an estimated 516 churches, 17 districts, and 8 territories. The largest and the oldest district of the connectional body is the Southern District Convocation (Goldsboro, NC).
History
This church was organized as the outgrowth of what was called a "holiness revival", sparked by the meetings held by Isaac Cheshier at Method, North Carolina a suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina), in 1886. It began as a regional body. On October 13, 1894, in the city of Durham, North Carolina, the first convocation was organized. Those present were G.A. Mials, H.C. Snipes and S.S. Freeman, all of Raleigh, North Carolina; present also was G.W. Roberts of Durham, North Carolina, and L.M. Mason of Method, North Carolina. On October 15, 1900, a convention was called by the Rev. C.C. Craig to meet at Durham, North Carolina, to prepare a discipline for the government of the churches. Those present were H.C. Pettiford, H.C. Snipes, L.M. Mason, G.W. Roberts, Mrs. Emma E. Craig, and Mrs. L.J. Roberts. In the early 1900s, the church added a Pentecostal understanding. In 1900 this body called itself Holy Church of North Carolina, and later, as it grew, the Holy Church of North Carolina and Virginia. In 1916 the name United Holy Church of America was adopted, and the church was incorporated on September 15, 1918.
Church Anthem
The Right Reverend Thomas E. Talley wrote the lyrics to the United Holy Church Anthem, which is sung to the tune of "We're Marching To Zion".
Beliefs
The beliefs of the United Holy Church of America are written in its Affirmation of Faith. It is structured in a call and response format (the leader of the reading is bolded). It is often recited in various churches as part of the order of worship and all national and international gatherings.
We believe in the Father, who is God Almighty. The Creator of all things and the preserver of light and life.
We believe in the Son, who is Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son. He was human and divine, truly lived, suffered and died, rose again from the dead, ascended on high, and is coming again.
We believe that Jesus was sent by God to reveal God to man. That whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
We believe in the Holy Ghost, who was sent from God the Father and the Son. That the Holy Spirit convicts and converts sinners, dwells in the believer, keeps the believer from the power of sin and leads him to the Father through His son, Jesus Christ.
We believe the Bible is the Word of God, given by inspiration through holy men. That in the Bible, God seeks to reveal His will to man and man seeks to respond to God’s revelation.
We believe that the union of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is revealed through His Church. That all believers are united into one body, the Church.
We believe that Christ is coming back for His Holy Church with out spot or wrinkle. That without Holiness in spirit, soul and body, no man shall see the Lord.
Annual gatherings
There are many gatherings that occur annually in the United Holy Church of America. Majority of the national gatherings are called "General" gatherings, and are typically hosted at the headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina. General Holy Convocation General Youth Convention General Home & Foreign Missions Convention General Ushers Convention General Education Department Conference
Every district and sub-district also have their own annual gatherings. These gatherings consist of local convocations, local conventions, unions, etc.