Founder

Superintendent Nathaniel Kinlow Sr.,

Founding Pastor

Nathaniel Kinlow Sr. was born May 8, 1914, in Gourd, Arkansas.  Year 1931 was special for Nathaniel. He shook the hand of Bishop C.H. Mason founder (1907) of the Church of God in Christ. He received the baptism of the Holy Ghost; and he attended his first COGIC holy convocation in Memphis, TN.

In 1935, Nathaniel and Jessie were married. Brother Kinlow soon received the gift of healing. In 1951, he was called to preach, following the lead of family preachers, three older brothers, William, Ezra Dewitt and Spencer, and Uncle Thomas Kinlow, (Bishop of the Washington State COGIC jurisdiction, 1967-1972). In 1956, The couple and their eight children moved to Tacoma, WA, leaving behind a newly built home and a successful farming business. Minister Kinlow had a vision to venture out on faith in a new direction to fulfill a long held dream to pastor and to build God a house.

With a fifth grade education but strong skills in reading, writing and arithmetic, and a great capacity for learning, Min. Kinlow made a successful career change from cotton farmer to commercial painter.

Bishop Van Goodlow asked Minister Kinlow to consider starting up a church in Bremerton.  In the summer of 1958, Min. Kinlow went to Bremerton, located members from previous congregations, and held house-to-services for a while. He secured a permanent site with the purchase of a small house at 4313 D Street in March, 1959.

Pastor Kinlow was ordained as an elder in 1959. Over the years Pastor did several major renovations. Pastor Kinlow had multiple talents in crafts, carpentry, commercial painting and in artistic skills and music. Elder Kinlow created pencil drawings and clay sculptures. He played trombone, trumpet and harmonica.

For many years Elder Kinlow faithfully served as state treasurer and chairman of the ordination board.  Pastor Kinlow retired from his job in 1980. He was appointed Superintendent of District 10 in 1983. 

At 85 years of age, Supt. Kinlow’s efforts finally paid off in the building of the present edifice at 2814 Trenton Ave. NE, in August, 1999, on land purchased in 1968. Pastor passed on April 15, 2007, leaving nine children, Cametta, Joel, Verleda, Dorothy, Orestes, Robbie, Nathaniel Jr., Benjamin and John.