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Bishop Emmanuel Wilson was born on July 28, 1886 in Jacksonville, Texas. His parents were
Henderson and Vina Wilson. He was the seventh child in a family of thirteen. Emmanuel's
father was a Baptist Minister. He grew up in the city of Bullard, Texas.
In 1906, he was married to Mary Forrest. To this union, one child, Vernora Wilson Mayo was
born. He was called to the ministry in 1911 while still in the Baptist Church. His wife, Mary had
visited a Holiness Church on several occasions. This was against Wilson's wishes. He once
said, "I was as much of an enemy against the church as Paul was, but God showed me I was
wrong." After additional visits to the holiness church, Mrs. Wilson was saved.
Wilson was accepted into the Church of God In Christ in 1912 after receiving the baptism of
the Holy Ghost. He was ordained in Waco, Texas in 1915 and pastored a church for 12
years.
In 1925, Wilson moved to California and was appointed the second Overseer of the State of
California. Worship services were held in tents until property was purchased at 33rd &
Compton. At our present day, the church still bears the name of its founder, Emmanuel
Church of God In Christ. Additional churches were erected in the city of Los Angeles by
Bishop Wilson.
Bishop E.M. Wilson