The Beginning
The Southern District Convocation of the United Holy Church of America, Inc. was founded in 1894 in
Durham, North Carolina. It was organized by Elders C. C. Craig, L. M. Mason, George W. Roberts, H. C.
Snipes, and H. C. Pettiford, along with Mother E. E. Craig and Mrs. L. J. Roberts. Elder L. M. Mason was
selected as the Convocation’s first president.
Separation and Reunification
During the leadership of Bishop James A. Forbes, the Southern District withdrew from fellowship with the
United Holy Church of America. In 1978, representatives from several districts gathered at Memorial
Auditorium in Raleigh, North Carolina, where the Original United Holy Church International, Inc. was
chartered. Bishop Forbes was unanimously elected General President while continuing to lead the
Southern District Convocation.
Several churches in and around Henderson and Zebulon, North Carolina, remained affiliated with the
United Holy Church of America. These congregations later formed what became known as the Southern
District Convocation–Henderson.
Following Bishop Forbes’ retirement due to illness, Bishop Hudson W. Fields succeeded him as president
in 1984. Bishops S. G. McCoy and Samuel David Clemons served successively as vice presidents.
Bishop Fields continued to lead the Convocation until 1996, when he was named President Emeritus.
Leadership and Growth
In 1996, Bishop Ralph E. Love, Sr. of Greenville, North Carolina, was elected president. During his
administration, the Convocation was restructured, its building fund was strengthened, and plans were
developed for a new headquarters and tabernacle. Bishop Love also established the Mid-Year
Conference.
Bishop Love joined Bishop Ralph Houston, General President of the Original United Holy Church
International, and Bishop Odell McCollum, General President of the United Holy Church of America, in
negotiations concerning reunification. Their efforts led to an agreement, and in May 2000, during a
gathering in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Southern District Convocation was officially reunited with
the United Holy Church of America, Inc.
Bishop Love faithfully served the Southern District for more than two decades. Those who served as vice
president during his administration included Bishops S. D. Clemons, Harry L. Cohen, Quincy Gardner,
and Devin C. Pickett, Sr. Bishops Leamon Dudley, Quincy Gardner, and Devin C. Pickett, Sr. also served
as second vice president at various times.
The district also celebrated the historic consecration of Bishop Ernestine McGee as its first female
bishop.
Presidential Succession
Since its founding, the Southern District Convocation has been led by the following presidents:
1. Elder L. M. Mason
2. Elder W. H. Fulford
3. Bishop H. L. Fisher
4. Bishop General J. Branch
5. Bishop William Clements
6. Bishop James W. Jackson
7. Bishop James A. Forbes
8. Bishop Hudson W. Fields
9. Bishop Ralph E. Love, Sr. — 1996–2021
10. Bishop Devin C. Pickett, Sr. — 2021–Present
A New Era of Leadership
Following the passing of Bishop Quincy Gardner in 2019, Bishop Devin C. Pickett, Sr. became vice
president of the Southern District Convocation.
After the passing of Bishop Ralph E. Love, Sr. in 2021, Bishop Pickett assumed the leadership of the
Southern District Convocation as Presiding Prelate and President. He was officially elected president in
September 2024 and serves as the tenth president in the historic line of succession.
Bishop Christopher C. Brown, II, a longtime servant of the district and former aide to the Presiding
Prelate, succeeded Bishop Pickett as vice president. He was consecrated to the episcopacy during the
46th Annual Convocation of the United Holy Church of America, Inc. in May 2022.
Dr. Timothy J. Moore, a longtime member of the Southern District Convocation administration and a
faithful servant of the district, was elected second vice president in September 2024.
Together, Bishop Pickett, Bishop Brown, and Dr. Moore continue to provide experienced and
committed leadership for the Southern District Convocation.
The Southern District Today
Today, the Southern District Convocation encompasses eight subdistricts and more than 130 churches.
The Convocation continues its historic mission of strengthening churches, developing leaders, advancing
Christian ministry, and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Building upon more than a century of faith and service, the Southern District Convocation remains
committed to unity, transformation, and Kingdom advancement.
The Southern District Convocation of the United Holy Church of America, Inc. was founded in 1894 in
Durham, North Carolina. It was organized by Elders C. C. Craig, L. M. Mason, George W. Roberts, H. C.
Snipes, and H. C. Pettiford, along with Mother E. E. Craig and Mrs. L. J. Roberts. Elder L. M. Mason was
selected as the Convocation’s first president.
Separation and Reunification
During the leadership of Bishop James A. Forbes, the Southern District withdrew from fellowship with the
United Holy Church of America. In 1978, representatives from several districts gathered at Memorial
Auditorium in Raleigh, North Carolina, where the Original United Holy Church International, Inc. was
chartered. Bishop Forbes was unanimously elected General President while continuing to lead the
Southern District Convocation.
Several churches in and around Henderson and Zebulon, North Carolina, remained affiliated with the
United Holy Church of America. These congregations later formed what became known as the Southern
District Convocation–Henderson.
Following Bishop Forbes’ retirement due to illness, Bishop Hudson W. Fields succeeded him as president
in 1984. Bishops S. G. McCoy and Samuel David Clemons served successively as vice presidents.
Bishop Fields continued to lead the Convocation until 1996, when he was named President Emeritus.
Leadership and Growth
In 1996, Bishop Ralph E. Love, Sr. of Greenville, North Carolina, was elected president. During his
administration, the Convocation was restructured, its building fund was strengthened, and plans were
developed for a new headquarters and tabernacle. Bishop Love also established the Mid-Year
Conference.
Bishop Love joined Bishop Ralph Houston, General President of the Original United Holy Church
International, and Bishop Odell McCollum, General President of the United Holy Church of America, in
negotiations concerning reunification. Their efforts led to an agreement, and in May 2000, during a
gathering in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Southern District Convocation was officially reunited with
the United Holy Church of America, Inc.
Bishop Love faithfully served the Southern District for more than two decades. Those who served as vice
president during his administration included Bishops S. D. Clemons, Harry L. Cohen, Quincy Gardner,
and Devin C. Pickett, Sr. Bishops Leamon Dudley, Quincy Gardner, and Devin C. Pickett, Sr. also served
as second vice president at various times.
The district also celebrated the historic consecration of Bishop Ernestine McGee as its first female
bishop.
Presidential Succession
Since its founding, the Southern District Convocation has been led by the following presidents:
1. Elder L. M. Mason
2. Elder W. H. Fulford
3. Bishop H. L. Fisher
4. Bishop General J. Branch
5. Bishop William Clements
6. Bishop James W. Jackson
7. Bishop James A. Forbes
8. Bishop Hudson W. Fields
9. Bishop Ralph E. Love, Sr. — 1996–2021
10. Bishop Devin C. Pickett, Sr. — 2021–Present
A New Era of Leadership
Following the passing of Bishop Quincy Gardner in 2019, Bishop Devin C. Pickett, Sr. became vice
president of the Southern District Convocation.
After the passing of Bishop Ralph E. Love, Sr. in 2021, Bishop Pickett assumed the leadership of the
Southern District Convocation as Presiding Prelate and President. He was officially elected president in
September 2024 and serves as the tenth president in the historic line of succession.
Bishop Christopher C. Brown, II, a longtime servant of the district and former aide to the Presiding
Prelate, succeeded Bishop Pickett as vice president. He was consecrated to the episcopacy during the
46th Annual Convocation of the United Holy Church of America, Inc. in May 2022.
Dr. Timothy J. Moore, a longtime member of the Southern District Convocation administration and a
faithful servant of the district, was elected second vice president in September 2024.
Together, Bishop Pickett, Bishop Brown, and Dr. Moore continue to provide experienced and
committed leadership for the Southern District Convocation.
The Southern District Today
Today, the Southern District Convocation encompasses eight subdistricts and more than 130 churches.
The Convocation continues its historic mission of strengthening churches, developing leaders, advancing
Christian ministry, and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Building upon more than a century of faith and service, the Southern District Convocation remains
committed to unity, transformation, and Kingdom advancement.