about us
The Emanuel Church of God in Christ is a 50-year-old institution located in the
West Lawndale community on the West Side of Chicago, Illinois. Emanuel has been located in the community since its inception. Founded in the year 1956 by the Late Bishop Christopher C. Owens, Emanuel was founded as a family oriented community minded church. Under the leadership of current Pastor, Elder Michael Richardson, Emanuel has continued to broaden its community outreach efforts. Emanuel’s community goals are to nourish, direct, provide leadership by example, give hope and possibilities as well as partner with the community in its efforts to resurrect life and revitalize community pride. Through rich summer and winter outreach programs, the church has been able to bless community residents with clothing, food, school supplies, toys and other staple necessities. But Emanuel also dispenses love and hope to the community.
Emanuel is a progressive, passionate Bible believing church that teaches hope through faith in Jesus Christ. Our teaching ministries are designed to reach the spiritual and sociological needs of man. Elder
Richardson , much like Bishop Owens, believes in strong education initiatives in both secular and spiritual disciplines. Teaching is carried out in our Sunday school (5 age appropriate classes), Mid-week Bible classes (3 age appropriate classes) and Pastoral Teachings.
Emanuel is a member of the
Church of
God in Christ (COGIC). The COGIC is a 100 year old International Pentecostal body that is the second largest African American ecumenical organization in the world. The COGIC is currently under the leadership of Bishop Charles E. Blake of
Los Angeles ,
California . He follows a long line of great leaders such as Bishop G.E. Patterson and Bishop L.H. Ford. Emanuel espouses the doctrine of the COGIC and believes in Holiness as a lifestyle of Christian belief.
Please feel free to browse our site and learn more about who we are. As Pastor Richardson looks to build the community, families, faith, education and hope, our church motto is “Building on a Solid Foundation!"