The Beginning……..

In 1914, Bishop Charles Mason, Overseer of the Church of God in Christ, appointed E. R. Driver as the first Overseer of the Church of God in Christ in California. He served from 1914 until his death in 1924. He was succeeded by Overseer E. M. Wilson who served from 1924-1928. In 1931 Bishop Samuel Crouch was appointed as State Bishop of California and under this administration, Southern California became the largest jurisdiction in the denomination. Following the death of Bishop Crouch, Bishop Junious Augustus Blake, Sr., was named his successor and served until his death in 1984.

The General Board of the National Church, led by Presiding Bishop, J. O. Patterson, deemed it appropriate and in the will of God, to allow the formation of another jurisdiction within Southern California; thus, the Southern California Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction was commissioned with an initial membership of approximately 75 churches. Superintendent George Dallas McKinney was appointed the first Jurisdictional Prelate, and Mother Elizabeth Nash selected as the first Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women. She served from 1985 until her death in 2006. She was succeeded by Supervisor Gloria Lynch who made her heavenly transition in 2023.

In the year 2000, Bishop McKinney was elected to the General Board, the highest Presidium of the Church of God in Christ, where he served until his death in 2021. Following the death of Bishop McKinney, Bishop Charles G. Nauden was ratified, by the General Board, on December 3, 2021, as the Jurisdictional Bishop for the Southern California Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. Bishop Nauden elevated Supervisor Designate, Rosemary Clark, to the office of Supervisor of Women. She was installed as in November 2024 at the National Holy Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee.

Over the years multiple new churches were organized; state licensed counseling services were put into operation; several food bank programs and homeless shelters were established. Education was a priority with Bishop McKinney. The jurisdiction has established a George D. McKinney scholarship fund in his honor. Many accomplishments, too many to numerate, have taken place in the 40 years of this Jurisdiction's existence. It has all been to the glory of God!