BrightStarMissionaryBaptistChurch was organized with eight members on August 3rd, 1958 at 1248 West 59th Street, Chicago, Illinois by the Reverend James B. Stovall, Sr.
The influential encouragement of the late Elder Arthur McClellan, pastor of the McClellan Temple Church of God in Christ and the late Rev. Louis Boddie, pastor of the Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church helped enrich the ministry of Pastor Stovall. Under the advisement of Rev. Boddie, BrightStarMissionaryBaptistChurch was brought to the Church of God in Christ in March of 1964.
On December 1st, 1973, one month after receiving a call from Reverend John E. Hopkins of the NewNazarethMissionaryBaptistChurch about purchasing the church on 44th Street, Bright Star Church of God in Christ moved into its present location at 735 East 44th Street.
Under the pastorate of Dr. James B. Stovall, Sr. many have been saved, many have been healed, and many have been fed both naturally and spiritually. Dr. Stovall also extended his outreach ministry through “The Hour of Faith” broadcast over radio station WYCA 92.3 FM on Sunday nights for 12 years.
On April 18th, 1998, Pastor Stovall made has transition from labor to reward, leaving behind a well-established church that has a foundation based on the word of the true and living God.
Elder Christopher T. Harris, Sr. was officially installed as the pastor of the Bright Star Church of God in Christ on November 18th, 1999. Under the leadership of Pastor Harris, as a result of outreach, our ministry has taken in over 950 new members; many who have come and been saved. We also now have 22 ministries and a newly remodeled gorgeous sanctuary to worship in and Multi-Purpose Hall to fellowship in.
The Bright Star Family will be forever grateful for the solid foundation that was laid by our beloved Founder, the many obstacles that we have been able to overcome, and the numerous milestones we have reached over the years. As an ecclesiastical organization, we have now entered into a new dimension. God has and is truly enlarging our territory. We are blessed to be afforded the opportunity to serve the Lord in the beauty of holiness with the Spirit of Excellence. This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes!
