History and Formative Years of Galilee Church of God in Christ   Who is left among you that saw the Church in her first glory? And how do you see it now? Yet glory of this latter Church shall be greater than the former: Here we have excerpts from the beginning of our Church, but because there are many who aren’t with us any more to give contributions, there may be many names and events omitted because of the lack of factual knowledge. Any information omitted is not by prejudice, but information we failed to obtain.                 The now Galilee Church of God in Christ was formerly known as The Mt. Zion Church of God in Christ. It was located in the Mt. Zion community a few miles northward. Elder Jessie James are among the first believers of the holiness movement in the year of 1927 moved lumber from the Sandy Community and built the first Holiness of Sanctified Church in the rural areas, on the late Brother John’s Mock property. There were at that time only three members. Elder Jessie James, his sister Rosie James Scott, and Mrs. Nancy Walker. Later, other faithful members were added; Elder Jerome Mills (Mother Eliza S. Mills) who served as Assistant Pastor until his demised 1966, Joe Hall Family, Clough family, Bracken family, Collins family and others. The Church was later rebuilt on the James property and more souls were added from other nearby towns and cities; being pastor by Elder E. A. Harris and late I. C. Cooper.                 Be it known by the keen foresight of Mother E. J. Mills and others it was decided that the Church should again be moved, this time to the Galilee Community. The land was purchased from the Gibbs brothers and the church was renamed Galilee Church of God In Christ. Since then, this Church has had many additions and changes to its interior as well as exterior, first of which was during leadership of 17 years by the late Elder I. C. Cooper (Mother Routine W. Cooper). Elder I. C. Cooper served faithfully until his demise in Nov. 1962, after which Elder Noble Cooper (Missy. Dorphine Cooper) was appointed Pastor. Under the leadership of Supt. Noble Cooper every effort was put forth to enlarge the building, yet there was barely space for regular attendance. Finally Pastor Noble Cooper said, “The time has come for us to build the Lord a house.” Additional property was purchased from Mrs. Inez Sandles and by faith the church was built, a new and beautiful place of worship. Under the pastorage of Supt. N.L. Cooper Sr., the church was paid for and mortgage burned. Supt. N.L. Cooper Sr. served 41 years until his health began to fail, at which time in the year 2000 Elder Terry Cooper (Missy. Barbara Cooper) was appointed as Assistant Pastor to be of help to him. On Sept. 11, 2004 Bishop Rufus Kyle prelate of Texas Southeast First Jurisdiction and Supt. Kurt Thomas gave pastoral charge of Galilee Church Of God In Christ to Elder Terry Cooper. Since his appointment to be Pastor, the Church membership has increased tremendously under his leadership. Many updates and improvements to the building as well as in our finances have been added to our church for which we are thankful. As spoken by our present Pastor Elder Terry L. Cooper, our past, present, and future endeavor is to be, “As servants of the Lord Jesus Christ committed in our hearts to carry out God's unique plan in the community and surrounding areas, that they may experience the love of Christ through the gospel.”   “Let’s not forget the bridge which crossed us over.”   Submitted By Missionary Mary G. Hall Updated: May2010