The History of
FIRST CHURCH PINNACLE OF PRAISE
Church of God in Christ
Mother Libby Turner gave the history of First Church of God in Christ to Brother Lesley B. Owens. The
church organized in 1911 by Brother Woody and Brother Slaughter from Dallas, Texas and was located near
the Interurban Railway on S. Kentucky Street. Elder Bradley was one of the early ministers and Brother
Junius Turner, Brother Arthur Amos, Brother Lonnie Cotton, and Brother Harry Berry served as deacons.
"They later moved the church to the Central Ward Community and held services in the K of P Hall for about
three months. Brother Junius Turner then had the church services moved to the corner of Watt and Annie
Streets. The pastor was Elder John Gamble.
In 1923, Elder Russell became pastor and was the carpenter who built the church on the present site. In
1928, Elder G. E. Cannon came to pastor the church and it is not known how many years he served. Brother
Fredrick John and Elder Starr served as pastors as well. In 1930, Elder John Manning became pastor and
Brother Willie Johnson was the first assistant pastor. The first musician of the church was a young lad by
the name of Leslie B. Owens. Brother Russell, Brother Willie Walker, Brother Peter Steward served as
ordained deacons. Brother Fred Brown and Brother Roosevelt Tugger were called into the ministry. In 1936,
Reverend C .C. Valentine came to McKinney as pastor and Brother Horace and Brother Wash Singleterry
served as ordained deacons. About 1942, E. V. Valentine came and served as pastor. Superintendent Crouch
served as supply pastor for several months as did Reverend R. F. Jackson. In the 1950's, Reverend E. I.
Battles served as pastor and the deacons were Butler E. D. Johnson & Brother Willie Wilkins.
In 1966, Reverend Wesley Burkes served as pastor. In the 1970's -1990's, these men served as pastor:
Elder Williams,Elder J. L. Brooks, Elder Fields, Elder J. L. Webb, Elder Richard Lacy, Elder John Grant,
Elder C. R.Hamilton, Superintendent Tillman, Superintendent Varnado, Elder Peter Mathis and Minister Melvin
Kirkum served as associate minister. In November of 1998, Elder John Blaine began serving as watch care
pastor under the guidance of Superintendent J. F. Ellis and, in September 1999, was appointed pastor by
Bishop J. Neaul Haynes. Minister M. Kirkum and Elder R. J. Norris served as associate ministers of First
Church. In October of 2006, Bishop Haynes appointed Minister William P. Hunter, Pastor of the First
Church of God in Christ. Pastor Hunter's vision was that a new building would be built with a family life
center & with God's help, many renovations were done to the church building. Pastor Hunter believed that
until the Lord said "build it." he would take care of what he had been blessed with.
'The Honorable Bishop J. Neaul Haynes appointed Elder Dwaine K. Guyton as Pastor of First Church in
McKinney, Texas on March 29, 2013 during the Ministers and Workers Meting. Flder Dwaine K. Guyton
had a vision to build a sanctuary for God and to build a relationship with the people of God to include, not
just the African- American community, but the entire community because "God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son. " Pastor Dwaine Guyton takes the work of the Lord very serious! Our Pastor began to
get things in order. Noticing that our name wasn't registered in the State of Texas records, he met with the
congregation to discuss what needed to be done. As a result, we were legally registered and renamed First
Church Pinnacle of Praise Church of God in Christ. We now have our tax-exemption 501C3 status: By the Grace
of God, within one-year, Pastor Guyton added the Johnny Blane Fellowship Hall to the current facility and
an office for the pastor. In seven years, Pastor Guyton has, by the grace of God, completely renovated the
entire chutch edifice. The neighbors in the community stopped by one afternoon to thank pastor for the
new church because they said, "you have raised our property value!"
To God be the Glory!