Collis Hill Church of Christ (Holiness) originated in Terry, Mississippi. Since its inception, it has been unique for its membership of all age groups, its reputation for helping the needy, and its tradition of promoting the purposes for which holiness stands.

In December of 1900, Bishop Charles Price Jones testified that God directed him to reorganize the Collis Hill Baptist Church as Collis Hill Church of Christ (Holiness), having holiness as the standard for the church philosophy. Bishop C.P. Jones may be considered as the first pastor. Others to follow respectively were Elders W.S. Pleasant, G.A. Thomas, M.W. Wilson, W.A. Thurmond, J.D. Woodson, E.N. Hoggans, and J.D. Burley.

Early officials of the church were Bro. Clifton Kendrick, Church Clerk and Deacons Bro. Boyd Fields and Bro. John Tinsey. Trustees were Bro. Walter Kendrick, Bro. Maxie Fortner and Bro. George Porter, all who served for approximately forty (40) years. Later added to the Trustee Board were Bro. Sevey McGee and Bro. Tony Fields, Sr. Members of the building committee were Bro. Lenfield Kendrick, Bro. Charles Kendrick and Bro. Clifton Kendrick.

Elder George A. Thomas returned to Collis Hill a second time, and his tenure there was a total of more than fifty (50) years. Under his effective leadership, the church services were broadcast on WMDC radio station. The choir, under his direction, became famous for choosing to sing from the Jesus Only hymnal as Bishop C.P. Jones wanted the songs to be sung.

Reverend Thomas remodeled the church edifice in 1919 and rebuilt it in 1931. He appointed a Building Committee with Dr. Robert Smith, M.D. as chairman to plan for a new church. During this time, Reverend Thomas’ health failed, and he passed away before the new building was completed. Elder Bobbye Sutton became Pastor and faithfully worked with the committee to complete the building in March 1980.

In August of 1980, Elder Charles Brown was appointed Pastor, and he instituted a series of very positive changes across a ten (10) year span. Mid-week services were held, Children’s Church was organized, and business meetings began with devotion and ended with prayer. Elder Brown was credited with the huge Sunday School attendance as well. He also led in the erection of a spacious Fellowship Hall. The church incorporated, at his suggestion, third Sunday services along with the standing tradition of the second and fourth Sunday worship service. When Elder Brown suddenly passed away in 1991, he was deeply mourned and greatly remembered for his unceasing efforts in the service of the Lord.

Bro. Fred Kendrick, Sr., was Chairman of the Deacon Board and Sis. Lovie Hollis was Church Clerk for more than forty (40) years, by (1991). The Collis Hill Church family grew to love their new Pastor, Elder David Horton, Sr. After his appointment, he endeared himself to the membership by his great faithfulness, his vision, and his unorthodox gospel-preaching techniques.

Under Elder Horton’s leadership, the church experienced several other improvements. A word-processor was purchased for composing bulletins, letters and reports in-house for the first time and the erection of a brick neon marquee with the original bell mounted on top. The newly acquired property adjacent to the church was cleared and landscaped by volunteers of the Brotherhood. Auxiliaries included the C.W.W.W. No. 1 and 2, W.A.C.C., H.Y.P.U., Sunbeams and Standard Bearers. An eighteen (18) member male chorus rendered the music on third Sundays. A thirty (30) member Children’s Choir shared a music ministry on first Sundays. Outreach efforts were made in Vacation Bible School, Sunday School picnics, tent revivals, annual July revival, and community fellowship ecumenical services on fifth Sundays. Monthly financial support was given to His Fulness Ministries, C.M.&I the church school, and continuous calls to help the less fortunate in the community and beyond.

The former Pastor of Collis Hill Church was the dedicated and dynamic Elder Willie Jenkins, Jr. He continued the above-mentioned procedures in the church, along with several others that he instituted along with the help of his devoted wife, Sis. Vina Jenkins. Elder and Sis. Jenkins taught a couples Sunday School class, being the examples themselves of a loving husband and wife, led by the Spirit of God. They encourage the members in the Lord by recognizing the Sunday School Superintendent, and Most Outstanding Sunday School Teacher with special plaques of commendation. They personally contacted non-active members to challenge them to rise to the occasion. In addition, they showed their love by sacrificing some of their time each week, by regularly visiting the sick and shut in. They were creative with innumerable projects designed to help the congregation to finance the building of a new edifice, which was completed in June 2003.

As a preacher, brevity was Elder Jenkins’ trademark. To our delight, he enthralled his listeners as he shouts his message from the Bible. When he said, “This is the message,” you knew without a doubt, he really was the son, of the voice of thunder. He had a unique way of blending the word of God with economic sense, motivational psychology and spirituality. Perhaps his greatest skill was helping his listeners realize, how and why one should live a Christian life. In August 2014, Elder Willie Jenkins, Jr. Retired as Pastor of Collis Hill Church.

In September 2014, Elder Nicholas Tanner was appointed as Pastor of Collis Hill. He served as Pastor from September 2014- June 2022. Under the leadership of Pastor Tanner, the church purchased its first bus and live streaming of our church services began.

In June 2023, our current Pastor Elder Kevin Ware was appointed as Pastor of Collis Hill. He came with a mission and a vision of Let’s Go and Let’s Grow. He gave the church the name “The Hill”. Pastor Ware is a man after God’s own heart.