Bishop Fred C. Scott
Third Chief Apostle

Chief Apostle, Bishop Fred Crum Scott was born on October 25, 1923, in Statesville, North Carolina, to the parents of Zula Mae Watts and Charles McKinley Scott. He was the youngest of four siblings, two brothers Paul and John, and one sister, Eudetha.

In 1935 when Bishop was twelve years old, his family moved up north to Cincinnati, Ohio. He was introduced to Edith Bell Moore by a close friend. Upon their meeting, he thought that she was the most beautiful woman and he knew that he wanted to marry her. He jokingly stated, “I wanted to make sure that I had nice looking children…” So he made sure, in his own words, that he “snatched her up.” Bishop was able to capture Edith’s heart, and on April 13, 1941, they were united in holy matrimony.

Bishop Scott was eighteen when he entered the United States Army in 1941. He served in the army for four years, including World War II. He was discharged in December 8, 1945. After the war, Bishop Scott was employed with the Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company for 40 years, until his retirement in 1985.

He joined the House of God in 1946 and attended the House of God located on the corner of Sixth and James Streets in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a member of the House of God, Bishop Scott served as a Deacon for seven years. In the early 1950s, he was ordained a Minister and then an Elder. During this time he was also given the charge to the Sixth and James Congregation (Temple #2) in Cincinnati. While pastoring the local Cincinnati church, Bishop Scott also served as National President of the Young People’s Union which he served until 1957. In 1964, the late Bishop S.P. Rawlings appointed Bishop Scott a Vicar Bishop. Bishop Scott was moved by the Lord to relocate his local congregation from Cincinnati to Lockland, Ohio in 1969. This location, known as 131 S. Wayne Avenue, was the new home of Temple #2 from then until the present. During the 51st General Assembly, held in Lexington, Kentucky, Bishop F. C. Scott was elected Junior Bishop of the House of God. In 1974, he was ordained a Bishop, and in 1983, he was installed as the Assistant Chief Apostle of the House of God. After the home going of Bishop S.P. Rawlings in 1991, Bishop F.C. Scott became the Chief Apostle of the national organization. Bishop Scott held this position going on 14 years.

Under his leadership, Bishop Scott implemented and initiated many progressive movements for the church. A Constitutional Revision Committee was created; an Annual Pastors’ Conference was initiated; important organizational structural changes and responsibilities were delegated including the appointment of the first female state superintendent and the appointment of a Director of Operations in Africa that has added thousands of members to the church. During his administration, the mortgage of the National Temple was paid, a new Dining Hall annex was completed, and a new local temple was constructed in Lockland, Ohio, which was dedicated on August 1, 2000.

Other church offices that Bishop held include State Superintendent of Southern Ohio, Northern District Superintendent, Midwest District Superintendent, and National Division Superintendent.

While he served the church in many capacities, he is known as being a true man of God, and a caring and humble servant. Bishop was a family man, to both his spiritual and natural family. He will always be remembered in the hearts of his family as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Bishop will also be remembered preaching about Job and singing his favorite scripture, Psalms 23.

Bishop departed this earthly life on March 7, 2005, to walk in the New Jerusalem with God. He is preceded in death by his two brothers, Paul and John Scott. He leaves to celebrate his life and home-going, his wife of 65 years, Edith Bell Scott; his aunt, Beulah Mack; his uncle, Robert Watts; his sister; Eudetha Brand; 9 children, Paul Scott (Margo), Larry Scott (Linda), Connie Brown, Mildred Johnson, Majorie Hunter (Michael), Pamela Mitchell (Joseph), John Scott, Vera Johnson, and Regina Embry (Courtney); 5 adopted children, Curtis Joash (Dolly), Barbara Adams, Deborah Gaines (Melvin), Richard Campbell (Thelma), Harry Calloway, Jr. (Berneice), and 1 godson, Frederick Joash; 40 grandchildren (including his “special angel”, Paula “Shelly” Scott); over 60 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, his church family, and friends.