COGIC comes to Fort Worth: Little pockets of this movement started throughout various areas in Texas including Fort Worth. A small group of women met for prayer at the 300 block of Crawford Street in 1910 on the southside of Fort Worth, Texas. Like many holiness churches, it began with a group of women in a prayer meeting. This was not just on the Southside of Fort Worth. The movement moved across the city. Small groups of men and women prayed together after hearing the preached word of the holiness movement and this church grew in the area. One such location is found in the Stop Six area of Fort Worth, Texas. The exact date and hour is not known as when the group of women began praying and started the Stop Six Church. This was a common practice with many COGIC churches, but God set is approval upon the church. Women and men were meeting in prayer meetings in their homes and outdoors. Through talks with the old saints of long ago who are now gone to glory, it was about three years before a preacher came to guide the flock. This is three years before Rev. Crouch formalized the group. Having the love in their hearts for God and for this church, Stop Six/Golden Gate GOCIC named the year of 1918 as year of its establishment. This church is built on the real rock which is Jesus. In the year of 1921, Elder Samuel Crouch started the mission on Amanda Street in a two-room shotgun house, called the Stop Six Mission. The first pastor was Elder Charles Scott. Later, the church moved to Katy Street and began service in a nice size tent. The first Church Mother was Sis. Rhonda Early. After a time, Elder A. Jackson was sent to pastor the church and built the first church building. Elder A. Jackson was followed by Elder Kempt. The membership learned there was trouble with the property and the church doors closed. God touched the hearts and minds of pastor, Rev. McCrue and the members of St. James Methodist Church who opened their doors and service was held in the Methodist church. The Stop Six church was battered. The storm raged. The ship was tossed about, but the saints remained faithful and God blessed. They trusted God and did not get off the ship. For this church was not built on man but on Jesus, the Rock. Mother Early passed away and Sis. Ophelia Bell was appointed Church Mother. Sis. Pearl Reed was appointed as Church Secretary and served faithfully for at least twelve (12) years. Elder Robert Jamerson became the pastor. He moved the church to a small house on Willie St. with lamps on the wall and a coal stove for heat. God continued to intervene as the problem with the property on Katy Street was resolved . Worship was returned to Katy Street. The saints prayed and trusted God believing He would make a way and the church began to grow. Elder S. A. Wells became the pastor. His pastorage was short lived. After Elder Wells left, other pastors came to serve the church. These men were: Elder Lee, Bro. Borton, a young man in college who could only come on weekends, Elder Russell, Elder R. L. Polk, and Elder Reed. Elder S. A. Wells returned to serve as pastor again and built the second church. Following Pastor Wells was Elder John Woods. Understand that building a church’s structure did not mean an architect and contractor were hired, but the pastor and membership used their hands hammers and nail to build the church. Some of the other saints were Mother Ware, Bro. Gilliam, Bro. Pat Ward, Bro. Robertson, Bro. Hewey, Bro. James, Bro. Smith, Bro. Brockman, Sis. Sally Brockman, Sis. Eliza Gilliam, Papa and Mother Green. In the first 28 years of the church there were approximately 10 different preachers with one returning twice. This flock needed a shepherd who could stay the course and help the church to stand on a firm biblical foundation. The spiritual foundation was strong, but it needed a person to feed the flock God’s Word. The people continued to call on God who heard their request. In Sept. 1949, the church welcomed Elder L. C. Castleberry from Henderson, TX to the Mother Church in this area, Stop Six Church of God in Christ. With him came stability, as He was a builder – a mind to build God a house, a preacher and a pastor. The church developed spiritually and physically. The new pastor was a man sent from God. He moved his family here in the summer of 1950. Baptizing was done in Robertson’s tank on Sunshine Street. Sis Laura Castleberry, his wife organized the first Senior choir, Junior Choir and was the Sunshine Band President. Sis. Bernice Castleberry Locklin was the pianist. Bro. G. W. Pope was the Sunday School Superintendent and a dedicated Deacon. When saints could not come to Church, he visited them to collect money from the saints for Pastor and the church. He went in the rain, sleet or snow. This was needed for the fiscal survival of the church. Deacon Pope was not just the money collector, but he was a true man of God who cared for the Church and more importantly he understood God’s word. The hand in hand fellowship of the Elder L. C. Castleberry and the Deacon, G. W. Pope made a significant difference in this church. Around 1953, it was time to build a new church on the lot of 4904 Katy Street. The wood frame building was unpainted. It would shake with as the saints shook when the praises went forward. A pot belly wood stove warmed the church in the winter, toilets were outside. There was approximately thirty (30) members. The church was torn down with Pastor Castleberry and Bro. R. E. Williams as carpenters of the tile building. Bro. H. B. Carter was the electrician, Brothers Fred Stephens, O. V. Dickson and L. D. Locklin poured cement steps for an extension in front of the church and a foundation for the cafeteria on the East side of the property. Briefly the church moved to Willie St. and worship was held in a two-story unpainted Hall while the men continued to work on the church. Brothers L. D. Locklin, L. C. McCuren, Leroy Akins, Robert Punch and others worked on the ceiling. The women had a part in the construction of the church. Sis. Laura Castleberry brought the sisters together to pull nails and fix dinners for the workers during the period of rebuilding. A temporary building was erected on our church parking lot. Worshipped returned to the property until the church was completed. This building would later become the cafeteria. The new sanctuary had indoor restrooms, a choir stand, pulpit area, church pews and an organ. A revival was held and Mother Hattie Hardin told of a dream that the Lord would add souls 1, 2, 3 at a time. It came true. Glory to God. The church secretaries throughout the years included Sisters Beatrice Cobb, Curtis Baker Akins, Dollie V. Morris and Lorene Moore. The church mothers included Mothers Willie Richards, Cora Jimerson, then Odessa Cobb. Whenever it rained, Katy street was very muddy. It was not paved, it did not have tar or rocked. Requests to have the city pave the street fell on deaf ears. In 1957, Pastor Castleberry and the church members graveled the street to help the saints who walked to church not to walk in the mud. The city continued to refuse to pave the street. It took several attempts over several years for the city to change its mind. Deacon Punch was instrumental in getting the street paved. Until the street was paved, some members wore one pair of shoes to walk in the mud and a second pair to walk inside the church. Pastor Castleberry taught us “there is no secret what God can do”. He and the church continued to pray and ask God for help. Thank God for Elder and Sister Castleberry’s leadership, as many souls have been saved. In 1964, it was time to build again as the people had out grown the sanctuary. Pastor L. C. Castleberry was ready to build again with areas for classrooms and parking. Four (4) lots on Ramey/Marlin were purchased at the cost of $5550.00. In 1965, the church held a one (1) month Tent Revival on the Ramey/Marlin lots. There was healing and souls saved. Elder Charles Smith and Pastor Castleberry were the Evangelists. A great baptizing was held at Arlington Lake. On the Saturday before the baptizing the deacons cleared the baptizing area of debris to ensure the safety of the saints. To make sure the area would not be covered with debris, the baptizing was held that next day, which was a Sunday. In 1965, the church learned it would be unable to build on the purchased lots, other plans had to be developed. Superintendent L. C. Castleberry was discussing his dilemma when is daughter in law informed him that a church in the area was for sale. Sis. Bobbie Nell Castleberry completed the initial contact and assisted Superintendent in meeting the church’s pastor. He described this property as being idea and had everything the church needed. Supt. Castleberry discussed with the membership about the purchase. There were mixed responses, some only wanted to build, others wanted to move to the new church and others were willing to follow the Lord and Supt. Castleberry. Rev. Hildreth, the pastor of the Golden Gate Baptist Church, had offers from churches with larger congregations, but the Stop Six Church and Supt. Castleberry found favor with him in the Lord. The physical church consisted of three brick buildings and a white frame house. The sanctuary seated 500 or more with classrooms. All buildings had church furniture and air conditioning. One building was a Fellowship Hall, including a cafeteria. The other building was a Day Care Center. There is plenty of parking. The cost was $125,000 with a monthly note $956.00 and a down payment of $25,000 was needed. Our membership at that time was 120, not including children. The church agreed to the purchase. It is reported that the mortgage was purchased through the Baptist Association. This is reported to be the only time that the Baptist Association secured the mortgage for a none Baptist church. When the church was purchased many people laughed at Supt Castleberry and the congregation. Preachers told him “I wouldn’t buy this church unless I had 600 members”, Stop Six had only 120-members. Others laughed at him, the church and thought this was a ridiculous venture. They forgot this church was built on “The Rock”. After moving in, the time came for the dedication of church. It was difficult to find a speaker to complete the dedication. Given the rank of Superintendent Castleberry in the church, a bishop’s blessing was requested. He was turned down as some felt this was a lofty venture and they would not keep the church. Superintendent Castleberry continued the search and the Bishop R. E. Ranger agreed to be the speaker for the dedication on the Fourth Sunday in August 1969. Bishop Ranger knew the history of this church. His message was the “Right Time for the Right Man”. From 1969 – 1988, Sis. Laura Castleberry opened a Day Care Youth Center and Private School. She opened with five (5) children age 0 – 13 years. The Day Care opened at 6am – 6pm, 5 days a week. She was the Executive Director for nineteen (19) years. Sis. Castleberry was later licensed for one hundred seventy-three (173) children and certified 4-year-old, Kindergarten and 1st grade. Although skeptics said, “We wouldn’t stay, or pay for the church”, fifteen (15) years later, July 1984 – the mortgage was burned. Elder Levi Lineley – a son of the church from Oklahoma City preached the Victory Celebration. Pastor L. C. Castleberry said “We walk by faith and not by sight. The hearts of the saints were made joyous as he expounded the gospel. Supt. Castleberry lived long enough to see the mortgage burned and a few years to enjoy the pay off. The year of 1988 was a difficult phase in the church. The Pastor became ill. The saints were praying continuously for about to (2) months. Elder and Missy. Horace Jimerson led the church in prayer. Our beloved pastor of thirty-nine (39) years answered the Master’s call. This was a difficult time for the Deacons who were led by the chairman L. C. McCuren. They had the responsibility to keep the church together and provide for fiscal needs of the church. The members of the Deacon Board were Br. Leroy Akins, Bro. Kenneth Collins, Bro. David Outland, Bro. Robert Wallace, Bro. John Menefee, Bro. Richard Carouthers, Jr Deacons; Joe Laws, James Wilson and others. The pastorage of the church was led by late Bishop J. Neaul Haynes and Elder Johnny Castleberry aided by the Elder Horace Jimerson and other young ministers. In August. 1988, Bishop J. Neaul Haynes was led by the spirit of God and honoring the request of the late Supt. And Missy. L. C. Castleberry in appointing Elder Johnny Castleberry, pastor of the Golden Gate COGIC. He came with a great vision, vigorous, full of energy and courage. Souls have been saved, remodeling has been done and repairs made. 

History… History… 

After mantle serving to Elder Golden Cedric Gate G. Harrell, COGIC Senior for 31 which years, is Superintendent one of his sons Johnny in the Ministry. Castleberry Superintendent was led by God Castleberry to pass has the mentored Elder Harrell for many years. He was a member of the Male Chorus under the leadership of Superintendent Castleberry (then Minister Castleberry) while he was in high school. After Elder Harrell returned home from college, Superintendent Castleberry appointed him to serve as a Deacon, Chairman of Deacons, Minister, Elder, and Assistant to the Pastor. Superintendent Castleberry has also appointed Elder Harrell to many other the Lord positions has chosen in the Elder church Harrell and he to continue has shown the himself legacy to of be the faithful, Golden humble Gate Church and obedient of God to in leadership. Christ. His Now, goal is to save souls, mend the broken and build that which has been torn down or in need of repair. His Motto is,

“…be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts: …”

Haggai 2:4.