n The historically black

denomination was founded

in Memphis in 1907.

Mike Tonos 4/15/09

From Daily Journal and wire reports

Ending a century-long tradition, a historically black church with headquarters in Memphis is moving next year's annual convocation to St. Louis.

The Church of God in Christ, or COGIC, will hold this year's annual convocation in Memphis, but will move it next year.

A church spokesperson said the decision came late Tuesday in the midst of an annual General Assembly of COGIC clergy and laity in Memphis. She said it's unclear if it would be a permanent move.

The COGIC was founded by Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, whose teachings grew out of the Holiness movement and the Azusa Street Revival.

During the 1950s and '60s COGIC "saints" were leaders in the civil rights movement. On the night before his murder, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his famous "I've been to the mountain top" speech on the steps of the church's worldwide headquarters, the Mason Temple.

The COGIC, with over 6 million members in 59 countries, as well as more than 200 churches in north Mississippi, has held its annual fall meeting in Memphis since its founding there in 1907.

During the annual event as many as 50,000 descend upon Memphis, known among members as "The Holy Jerusalem of the Saints of God." According to the Memphis Convention and Visitor's Bureau, it's the largest annual meeting in the city.

However, in recent years church leaders have become displeased because they feel the city isn't providing enough financial incentive to hold the convocation there. The event pumps an estimated $35 million annually into the local economy.

But not all COGIC members are thrilled about the decision to move. Among those present at the General Assembly on Tuesday was the Rev. Jeremiah Penro, pastor of Emmanuel Church of God in Christ in Tupelo. Penro, who has attended the convocation since his teens, said that because of the church's deep historical ties with the city, he "hates to see the convocation move," but respects the decision of the church leadership.

The Commercial Appeal reports that Memphis city leaders are also disappointed about the decision. ''It's going to be very difficult to replace a piece of business that size,'' said Kevin Kane, head of the convention bureau.