Copyright © 2006 Aaron Williams

Church History

Mother Iola M. Oglesby-Lewis

1906 in Little Rock, Arkansas Iola’s sister

Carrie Lindsay stole away and went to a holiness

Church service after being strictly forbidden to

Attend the service by their father. During this

Service, Carrie received the baptism of the Holy

Ghost and spoke in heavenly tongues for 24 hours.

During this time, Iola had to hide her sister from their father for fear of stern punishment. It was during this service that God spoke to a man named Jacob Oglesby. God told Jacob that Iola was his wife. Working through confirmation, God let Iola know that Jacob was to be her husband. They listened to the voice of God and were soon married. They walked together from town to town evangelizing with a baby in their arms. The Lord blessed this family. One day Jacob told his wife that his work here was finished. He asked her to take their two children and go live with her family. When Jacob Oglesby passed on, Iola soon found herself in Mansfield, Oh.

Early in 1927 Iola and her two children, Jacob Jr. and Hattie, moved from Chattanooga, TN. to Mansfield, OH. She initially lived with her parents but soon moved n her brother Lott’s home when he moved away. On May15, 1927, realizing a need for a Holiness Church, Iola started the first Church Of God In Christ in Mansfield, OH. Along with her sister Carrie Lindsay and a few others, Iola prayed all night for God to build up the church to his Glory. Through their faithfulness, God directed many well-known evangelists to their new church, including the founder of the Churches Of God In Christ Bishop Charles Harrison Mason. Revivals, prayer meetings, and healing services were held at 221 N. Diamond St. Soon Mother Oglesby and her two children moved in above the church, and as prayers go up blessings come down. The families of those residents are still blessed. Several pleas were sent to the “Whole Truth” paper for a pastor to come and take over the church. Several people answered. In 1936 Iola Oglesby married Elder Jeff Lewis, the father of Sis. Dorothy Green, Sis. Trophesa King, Sis. Tryphena Jackson, Sis. Agnes Smith, and Sis. Junia Scales. The newly weds left Mansfield and moved to Youngstown, Oh. The saints that prayed and stood with Sis. Oglesby early in the ministry remained behind to be the armor bearers to those called to shepherd the flock.

The fruit of Mother Iola Oglesby-Lewis’ labor can now be seen at 1148 Walker Lake Rd. Mansfield, Oh. where the name has changed to Maddox Memorial C.O.G.I.C. Pastor Aaron Williams Sr. is the Pastor and Superintendent of the Mansfield District. The legacy, however, that Mother Oglesby-Lewis, Sis. Carrie Lindsay, and others left behind is still one of healing the sick, saving the lost, and the growth of the Church Of God In Christ in Mansfield and abroad.

Elder Aaron Williams Sr., Pastor

Mother Betty L. Williams, 1^st Lady